Galatians 1: Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and get information from him, and I stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.

The time: 3yrs after Paul’s conversion The purpose: To see Peter The duration: 15 days The contacts: Saw only 2 of the Apostles Paul’s continues to assert his independence from the other Apostles!!!! Why does he do this and why is it so important? Let’s look at these verses;

(Gal 1:11 [NET]) Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. (Gal 4:13 [NET]) But you know it was because of a physical illness that I first proclaimed the gospel to you, (Gal 4:14 [NET]) and though my physical condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as though I were an angel of God, as though I were Christ Jesus Himself!

(Gal 4:15 [NET]) Where then is your sense of happiness now? For I testify about you that if it were possible, you would have pulled out your eyes and given them to me! (Gal 4:16 [NET]) So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? (Gal 4:17 [NET]) They court you eagerly, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you would seek them eagerly.

(Gal 4:18 [NET]) However, it is good to be sought eagerly for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you. (Gal 4:19 [NET]) My children – I am again undergoing birth pains until Christ is formed in you! (Gal 4:20 [NET]) I wish I could be with you now and change my tone of voice, because I am perplexed about you.

(2Cor 11:5 [NET]) For I consider myself not at all inferior to those “super- apostles.” (2Cor 12:11 [NET]) I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. (1Cor 9:1 [NET]) Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

(1Cor 9:2 [NET]) If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the confirming sign of my apostleship in the Lord. (1Cor 9:3 [NET]) This is my defense to those who examine me. (1Cor 9:4 [NET]) Do we not have the right to financial support? (1Cor 9:5 [NET]) Do we not have the right to the company of a believing wife, like the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? (1Cor 9:6 [NET]) Or do only Barnabas and I lack the right not to work?

20 I assure you that, before God, I am not lying about what I am writing to you! 21 Afterward I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 But I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They were only hearing, “The one who once persecuted us is now proclaiming the good news of the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 So they glorified God because of me.

The Places: Syria and Cilicia Not known: The churches of Judea (the 12 Apostle’s location) His reputation: The persecutor had become the proclaimer! The response: They were first afraid, now they were full of joy!

(Acts 9:26 [NET]) When he arrived in Jerusalem, he attempted to associate with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they did not believe that he was a disciple. (Acts 9:27 [NET]) But Barnabas took Saul, brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:28 [NET]) So he was staying with them, associating openly with them in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.

Apostleship in the New Testament 1. Apostle means “sent one with a mission or message” 1. Peter 2. Andrew 3. James 4. John 5. James of Alphaeus 6. Judas brother of James 7. Thomas 8. Matthew 9. Philip 10. Nathaniel 11. Simon the Zealot 12. Matthias 13. Paul ?

2. Given after Christ’s ascension (Eph 4:11 [NET]) It was he who gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 3. Spiritual gift by the Holy Spirit (1Cor 12:28 [NET]) And God has placed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, gifts of healing, helps, gifts of leadership, different kinds of tongues.

4. They were sign or miracle working gifts which confirmed their ministry and Authority (Acts 2:4 [NET]) All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:43 [NET]) Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. 5. Eyewitness of Jesus (1Cor 9:1 [NET]) Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?