Galatians 1:19
CONTEXT- Paul's credentials in handling Doctrinal issues Galatians 1:11-2:21 11 Now I make known to you, brothers, that the good news which was declared by me is not according to man’s standard or will. 12 For I did not receive it from man and I was not taught it by man, but I learned the good news by the revelation pertaining to Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in [Rabbinic] Judaism, how excessively I persecuted the Church of God and tried to annihilate it. 14 And I advanced in [Rabbinic] Judaism far beyond most of my national colleagues because of my exceeding zeal for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, Who selected me before I was born and called me by His divine favor, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son to me, that is, that I should declare the good news to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with other men. 17 I did not even return to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was, but I went away to Arabia and later returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years, I did go to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter. I stayed with him for only fifteen days. 19 I did not see the other apostles, except James, the lord’s brother. 20 (Now look, I swear to you before God, what I am writing is not a lie.) 21 Next I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia 22 and remained unknown by face to the churches of Judea which are in Christ. 23 They merely heard, “Remember the one who formerly persecuted us? Look, now he declares the good news of the family faith which he tried to annihilate.” 24 And they glorified God on account of me. Ch 2 1 Then after fourteen years, I went to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, and I took Titus with me also. 2 But that time I went according to the revelation I received and presented privately to the prominent Church leadership the gospel which I formally herald among the Gentiles, so that the race I am running or have run is not without formal credentials and authority 3 (however,
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force Gentiles to adopt Judean traditions? 15 We are Judeans in background and not labeled ‘sinners’ of a Gentile background. 16 Because we [former Judeans] know that man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, we also believed in Jesus Christ so that we would be justified by the believing of Christ and not by the works of the law. For absolutely no one is justified by the works of the law. 17 (Now, if we, who have sought to be justified by Christ, have been discovered ‘sinners’ [because of our association with the Gentiles], then is Christ in the business of promoting sin? Absolutely not! 18 For, after I have declared the law is no longer essential, if, in practice, I reinstate the observance of the law, then I exhibit myself as a transgressor against the commandments.) 19 I died to the law by means of the law [which Christ fulfilled] with the result