In his first-century letter to the churches of Galatia (a letter better known today as the Biblical epistle to the Galatians), Paul the Apostle summarized his conversion experience and the basis for his apostolic authority…
“I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.
Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles–only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: ‘The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they praised God because of me” (Galatians 1:11-24 NIV).
A study of Paul’s life also reveals him to be a complex, yet approachable personality. For instance, Paul demonstrated many of the characteristics of a highly educated individual. He was fluent in at least three major languages of his era (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), and displayed a familiarity with the literary figures of his day.
But unlike those who radiate an air of self-importance with respect to their intellectual capabilities, Paul was a man of great humility. Consider the following admissions from a few of Paul’s New Testament letters…
“…for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing” (2 Corinthians 12:11 KJV).
“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14).
“I am the least of all God’s people…” (Ephesians 3:8 GW).
“As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else” (1 Thessalonians 2:6 NLT).
Yet despite these expressions of humility and his desire to find common ground wherever possible, we’ll soon discover that Paul was not reluctant to correct error wherever he encountered it.