Galatians 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Paul did NOT learn the truths he preached from any man. Paul received them by direct revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,Romans 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Paul was made the minister of Jesus Christ to the gentiles. Also..Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Ephesians 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
BY REVELATION the Lord Jesus Christ revealed to Paul 'the mystery which in other ages was NOT MADE KNOWN unto the sons of men. Paul communicated it to God's holy apostles and prophets, they saw it by the Spirit (just as we see it by the Spirit). The mystery was made known to Paul by revelation of Jesus Christ and to others by the Spirit.
Other references: Col. 1:24-26, 2 timothy 2:8, 1 Tim. 2:5-7, Gal. 2:6,7, Gal. 2:2, gal. 2:9, Romans 16:25,26, 1 Cor. 1:17, 1 timothy 1:15,16, Titus 2:2,3, 1Tim. 1:11, Acts 20;24, Eph. 3:7-9, 1 Cor. 11:23, 1 Cor. 15:3, 1 Cor. 15:51-52, 1 Cor. 3:10, Gal. 1:8-9)
If Paul did not receive the revelation of the mystery by direct revelation he was a liar. If someone else received the revelation of the mystery before Paul...who was it?
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Speaks for itself...Saul of Tarsus was an enemy of Christ, chief of sinners.
1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Paul is the pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Why does it say to Paul first if there is not something new happening? Why Paul first if everyone before him had been saved by believing the same gospel? Paul was the pattern (set forth by the Lord Himself) for us the body of Christ to follow..in salvation, in service, and in conduct.
Paul is the pattern in the grace shown to him as a sinner. The Lord Jesus Christ could not be our pattern in salvation... He had no need of salvation. He was the saviour. He made a sinner the pattern of salvation for those that should hereafter believe unto life everlasting.
Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:Romans 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Paul stands as a pattern for salvation as the chief of sinners he received abundant grace, exceeding abundant. Where sin did abound, grace did MUCH MORE ABOUND. Paul was the pattern for them that should hereafter believe unto life everlasting bringing to us a new dispensation, God's dispensation of grace where grace reigns.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
