Not From Men or Through Man

Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia …—Galatians 1:1

Paul’s apostleship is not from man. He wasn’t appointed by parliament, prince, or pope. He didn’t come up with it himself, and certainly none of the other believers at the time nominated the murderous persecutor for such a role and responsibility and authority. His apostleship was not derived of a nepotistic father or a doting mother, if indeed such parents were his. He didn’t run for office or wage a military campaign. Jesus himself appointed Paul. It was not from any other man.

And it was not through any other man. Jesus did not need anyone’s permission, including Paul’s. If Jesus strikes you blind, blind you are. If he asks why you are persecuting him, he’s the one who will be asking the questions. And if he gives you back your sight, you see like never before.

Jesus does all that he does in concert with God the Father, in complete and submissive obedience to the Father and with the full blessing of the Father who is well-pleased by his Son—so pleased that the Resurrection shouts as the endorsement of the Father. Satisfied!