8/20 Galatians 1:11-12

¹¹ For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. ¹² For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Paul's doctrine rounds out what Jesus' twelve disciples taught. Since Paul was a Jewish scholar trained under a leading rabbi, we would expect his teaching to lean toward Jewish tradition. But he was the one God used to bring about a break with traditions, while conforming to the intent of the Scriptures.

After his miraculous conversion (see Acts 9:1-18), Paul went into the desert of Arabia to sort out his understanding of Scripture. Now that he knew Jesus was the Messiah, he had to go back and interpret the Scriptures in light of that fact. For three years he sought to unlearn his previous man-directed education and seek the truth in the Word. He was taught through a revelation of Jesus.

We can certainly learn from those who have been taught by a revelation of Jesus. It will always line up with Scripture and make it all flow together. We can have a revelation of Jesus from the Word, too. We see Him more clearly. The Scripture suddenly makes sense. What we didn't understand before becomes plain to see. The work of the Holy Spirit is to reveal Jesus to our hearts and minds (John 16:14).

Consider: When the teaching of whatever group or organization you belong to contradicts the Scripture, believe the Word of God. It is God's revelation of truth.