(REFLECTIONS ON Galatians 1:18-24, Galatians 2:1-10)

For us to believe is a revelation from the Holy Spirit through people, Scripture, and in Paul’s experience a direct encounter with Jesus Himself. What is the key isn’t the vehicle that God’s revelation comes to us, but rather that the Holy Spirit uncovers the lid for us to understand the mysteries of God’s salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Paul’s emphasis on his revelation, not just being a teaching, or confirmation from religious leaders, emphasizes the point that our faith is not a mere story, or a self-help resource, but it is a revealing of the mysteries of God to the church and to those called to be His people.

That is why Paul mentioned earlier in Galatians 1 that his ministry is not a ministry to try to please people or gain people’s approval. Rather he desires to gain approval from God and be a servant of Christ. Let us not be a people that seek to obtain the praise and approval of people, but rather to gain the praise and approval of God, and be a servant of Christ.

However, let us not confuse revelation with revolution. Let us not read about Paul not consulting anyone, nor going up to Jerusalem to see the apostles as a sign of rebellion and revolution. Paul wants to hammer in the point that the Gospel and Jesus Christ is not just a story, not power held by a group of religious leaders, but is the truth of our existence and the meaning to our lives.

In today’s Scripture, we see that after three years, Paul did go up to Jerusalem and get acquainted to Peter. We also read of another revelation that led Paul back to Jerusalem 14 years later.

1 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2 I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain.

Paul again received a revelation, however not for rebellion against the leaders in Jerusalem, but actually to go and meet with the leaders in Jerusalem, because he wanted to be sure that his missions work was not being done in vain.

Keeping in mind the “different gospel” that Paul mentioned at the beginning of Galatians 1, we can understand why Paul wanted first to separate what he received from Jesus Christ, from those that were using human ways to teach the old customs of circumcision and the Law, and then go and work together with the apostles in Jerusalem.

Paul’s ministry is not rebellion against Jerusalem or the apostles that were with Jesus during His earthly ministry, but is a reminder that our faith is not just traditions and customs passed down from generation to generation, but is a direct revelation from God to all who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Revelation reveals the Gospel of Jesus Christ to us. It is not just a tradition or custom passed down from missionaries, elders, pastors, or other brothers and sisters in Christ. However, it is not rebellion from the church, the body of Christ, to create division, but rather to help us remember that we do not just believe or have faith in a church, in a religious body, in a pastor, in a teacher, or in other Christians, but our faith is in Christ and Christ alone.

That is one of the fundamental things we can learn from Paul’s conversion and ministry. That is our faith is not just what is passed down, confirmed or approved, praised or blessed by people, but it is a direct revelation from God, confirmed and approved by Him, and all for His glory.

Yes, tradition, customs, people, the church are vehicles that God uses to reveal Himself to us, but they are not the objects of our worship, obedience, and faith. Revelation is not focused on stirring up rebellion, but rather to lead us to worship, obedience, and faith in God.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Galatians 1
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Galatians 2