"Received by Revelation"Galatians 1:12
I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
Thoughts for Today:In our previous passage, Paul wrote that the Gospel he preached was "not of human origin." Today, Paul begins to describe how he received it. The word "revelation" implies that something previously hidden has now been uncovered or revealed. Paul wrote on this same subject in Ephesians 3:8b-9: "This grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things."
I think it is important to understand that Paul's purpose was not to teach complex and abstract philosophies. Rather, his mission was "to make plain the boundless riches of Christ." In other words, to tell people -- in language they could understand -- about the mystery of the indwelling Christ; make certain they saw it visually represented in his life; and then, offer ways to practically apply it in their own lives.
The mature believer knows that salvation is much more than the first step of being born again; it is the Word that continues to release the effects of salvation (and the work of Holy Spirit). Paul wrote in Romans 1:16a: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes."
The Gospel message has such great, inherent and all-encompassing power that it could never have originated from mortal human beings. Therefore, the source could only be the Lord.
Questions to Ponder:In many churches today, the foundational truths of the Gospel are not preached. I believe it is the reason many Christians are not experiencing all the benefits of their salvation -- they don't have the power of the Gospel working in them. Are you lacking peace, joy, patience, etc? The answers and solutions are all in the Word. Are you paying attention?
I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
Thoughts for Today:In our previous passage, Paul wrote that the Gospel he preached was "not of human origin." Today, Paul begins to describe how he received it. The word "revelation" implies that something previously hidden has now been uncovered or revealed. Paul wrote on this same subject in Ephesians 3:8b-9: "This grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things."
I think it is important to understand that Paul's purpose was not to teach complex and abstract philosophies. Rather, his mission was "to make plain the boundless riches of Christ." In other words, to tell people -- in language they could understand -- about the mystery of the indwelling Christ; make certain they saw it visually represented in his life; and then, offer ways to practically apply it in their own lives.
The mature believer knows that salvation is much more than the first step of being born again; it is the Word that continues to release the effects of salvation (and the work of Holy Spirit). Paul wrote in Romans 1:16a: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes."
The Gospel message has such great, inherent and all-encompassing power that it could never have originated from mortal human beings. Therefore, the source could only be the Lord.
Questions to Ponder:In many churches today, the foundational truths of the Gospel are not preached. I believe it is the reason many Christians are not experiencing all the benefits of their salvation -- they don't have the power of the Gospel working in them. Are you lacking peace, joy, patience, etc? The answers and solutions are all in the Word. Are you paying attention?
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