Where did Paul get his authority?

Paul’s Question of Authority and His Early Ministry

Where did Paul get his authority? One of the questions raised by people today is is we have this guy named Paul. He writes a lot of the letters in the New Testament. Who is he? What authority does he have to actually say what he does?

Though Paul did not walk with Jesus while he was on this earth, he did receive a little approval or authority for his message from the followers of Jesus. In Galatians chapter 1 and 2, Paul explains that he took two different trips to Jerusalem to see the Jerusalem Apostles.

Paul’s First Visit to Jerusalem: Peter and James

In his first trip around 36 AD, Paul mentions the most popular Apostles by name, Peter and James. This trip is described in Galatians chapter 1 verses 18 through 19, and Paul says,. Then, three years later, around 36 AD, I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, or Peter, and stayed with him 15 days.

But I did not see any other of the Apostles except James, the Lord's brother. If Paul and Peter spent 15 days together, they must have discussed some very important matters. I wish that I could have been a fly on the wall to hear Paul and Peter's conversation.

I mean, what a conversation that must have been. As one scholar stated, they probably did not spend all the time talking about the weather. It is quite likely that given the context of Galatians 1, where Paul is discussing his authority to preach the gospel, and that Peter and Paul probably discussed the content of the gospel during their visit together.

Paul’s Second Visit and the Jerusalem Apostles’ Agreement

Paul also describes his second visit to Jerusalem. In Galatians chapter 2 verses 1 through 2, he says the following,. Then, after an interval of 14 years, this would probably be like around 47 to 50 AD, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also.

It was because of a revelation that I went up, and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

In his second visit, Paul mentions that he explicitly brought his gospel before the Jerusalem Apostles, namely Peter, James, and John. He indicates that he had a fear, quote, that I might be running, or had run, in vain, end quote.

Some have speculated that Paul wanted to verify the content of his preaching to be sure that he was correct. Therefore, he goes up to Jerusalem a second time to see Peter, James, and then John. Interestingly, the Apostles respond, quote, and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James, and Cephas, and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles, and they to the uncircumcised.

In other words, the early Apostles agreed with Paul's gospel that he preached, and they basically gave him the right hand of fellowship. So Paul goes to them, he's almost questioning, he's sort of questioning his method, or making sure what he's doing is correct.

He wants to connect with the people who knew Jesus, and make sure that his message he's preaching was true. And they gave him the right hand of fellowship, and they say his message is true, and they affirm what he's doing.

Paul’s Authority Came by Revelation from Christ

So even though Paul had approval from the eyewitnesses of Jesus's life, nevertheless, Paul claimed that his ultimate authority did not come from humans, but directly from Christ's revelation to him. He says in Galatians chapter 1, verses 11 through 12,.

"...for I would have you to know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.".

Paul himself saw Jesus via revelation on his encounter on the road to Damascus, described in Acts and Galatians, in which Christ revealed himself to Paul. He was an eyewitness in the sense of having seen Jesus after his death, as 1 Corinthians 9 says.

Therefore, Paul certainly had the authority to teach and preach the gospel.