On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.
Summary: Paul’s assignment from God wasn’t a figment of his imagination. It was real. We know this because the apostles in Jerusalem affirmed Paul’s gospel.
Do you ever wonder what God has entrusted to you?
Peter and the other apostles who experienced the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-4), felt strongly that their mission was to teach fellow Jews about the Messiah, Jesus. Luke tells us that Jesus taught them that the Gospel was for Gentiles, too (Acts 10-11), but their primary mission field continued to be fellow Jews (Galatians 2:9).
Paul was different.
Paul had was entrusted with bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles.
This mission from God put Paul in an awkward position. He was not one of the “in” crowd. There is no record of the Holy Spirit coming on Paul in power as he did with the other disciples on Pentecost. Paul has the Holy Spirit, like all believers, but his experience with the Holy Spirit is different than the other apostles.
In his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 12: 12-31), Paul writes about the Body of Christ and all its different parts. He emphasizes that we are one body, but he also points out we all have different tasks.
What has God entrusted to you? Do you know what it is? Are you supposed to do the same thing that others do, or does God have a special mission for you? And if you have a special mission, is it one that others recognize?
Sometimes, people claim to have a special mission in the church, like telling the pastor how he should do his job. Most churches recognize that this is true for certain people. Whether these people are elders, bishops, or congregational councils, the pastor and the congregation recognize the legitimacy of the authority they have granted these people over their pastor.
Some people claim authority, but they are not recognized by their pastor or the congregation as having any authority. If other believers do not recognize their authority, has the Author of All Things really called them to that role?
The fact that the leadership in Jerusalem accepted Paul as an apostle is important. They recognized that God had called Paul to his task. Because they validate Paul’s gospel, we can trust what he tells us.
Application: Validation is important. Claims of authority without validation are dangerous.
Food for Thought: What does it say about a person who claims special knowledge or authority from the Lord but who doesn’t acknowledge the validity or authority of others in the Body of Christ?
My sense is that this hypothetical person in your question is placing themselves above others. I don’t believe that God, at any time, gives us the authority to place ourselves above others. We are all under Christ. Christ has commanded that we love God and love our neighbor. How we act toward each other must glorify God.
The world tells us that the one in authority is exalted, but the Bible tells us that the one in authority is a servant.
Matthew 23:11-12 The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Christ came to serve, yet He is the Creator.
Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
Christ did not come to impose His will on mankind, but to speak in truth and turn the hearts of mankind toward God. In the end that is really the only authority mankind has been given: to sow, to water, to harvest in the name of Christ. Not to any one person’s glory, but to the glory of God, through Christ.
Chris,
Well said. Our “hypothetical person” does indeed try to impose their will on others. As you point out, that is not Christ-like behavior.
I love CH’s response. I can’t do any better. Bottom line is they are not being Christ-like. Philippians 2: 3 – 8 comes to mind.
Assuming personal authority without serving others and not being held accountable is dangerous. Even the Apostles were willing to be held accountable, including Paul. Notice how he was accountable to others in our passage in Galatians today and also in Acts 15.
Great passage reference, Rich!
“Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:6-7)
01-29-2024, What does it say about a person who claims special knowledge or authority from the Lord but who doesn’t acknowledge the validity or authority of others in the Body of Christ?
The word “authority” indicates permission, privilege, power; rule, control, influence. When someone has authority, that means they are positionally above others. They have greater responsibility the ultimate power to evaluate and decide things, to render judgments, to wield certain rights and privileges.
Jesus is THE authority, Matthew 7:28, 21:23-32,28:18, Mark 1:22-27
Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.
All believers are called to walk in humility, as we grow in His power over sin in our lives, and minister to others according to His will.
1 Peter 5:5, James 4:6, 4:10, Colossians 3:12, Matthew 23:12
We are called to be nothing as we allow Christ in us to mold us into something.
Thank you, Ron!
Great reminder! Jesus is our King!!
Thank you for the verses, too. I especially liked Matthew 23:12:
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.“