{"id":54534,"date":"2021-03-08T11:43:36","date_gmt":"2021-03-08T08:43:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=54534"},"modified":"2025-09-10T11:39:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T08:39:31","slug":"how-the-apostle-paul-valued-his-calling-above-human-rank-and-recognition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2021\/03\/08\/how-the-apostle-paul-valued-his-calling-above-human-rank-and-recognition\/","title":{"rendered":"HOW THE APOSTLE PAUL VALUED HIS CALLING ABOVE HUMAN RANK AND RECOGNITION"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are powerful words spoken by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians:<\/span><\/p>\n

Galatians 1:15\u201317 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cBut when God, who set me apart from my mother\u2019s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased
\n16<\/strong> to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.<\/em>
\n17<\/strong> I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From these verses, we can understand that in those days, there was a prevailing tradition or expectation: if someone received a call to serve God especially in the early church it was often expected that they would first go up to Jerusalem<\/strong>, the birthplace of the church, and consult with the key apostles such as Peter<\/strong> and John<\/strong>, who were seen as pillars of the faith (Galatians 2:9).<\/p>\n

They would often undergo a form of validation or mentorship under these established leaders before beginning their ministry.<\/p>\n

Paul’s Different Path<\/strong><\/h3>\n

However, Paul\u2019s experience was radically different. After his dramatic conversion (Acts 9), he did not seek out the approval or tutelage of those in high positions. Instead, he went away into Arabia <\/em>and sought the face of God directly for three years<\/strong> (Galatians 1:18).<\/p>\n

He wasn’t dismissing the apostles; rather, he was prioritizing the voice and leading of Jesus Christ<\/strong>, who had personally appeared to him (Acts 9:3\u20136). This unique path reflected Paul\u2019s deep understanding that calling comes from God<\/strong>, not from human institutions.<\/p>\n

Later, Paul testified:<\/p>\n

Galatians 1:21\u201324 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cThen I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
\n22<\/strong> And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.
\n23<\/strong> They only were hearing it said, \u2018He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.\u2019<\/em>
\n24<\/strong> And they glorified God because of me.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Although the churches didn\u2019t recognize Paul personally, the fruit of his ministry was undeniable. He didn\u2019t wait to be “licensed” or “recognized” before preaching Christ. His testimony alone caused many to glorify God.<\/p>\n

What About Recognition by Leaders?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s likely that people questioned Paul\u2019s legitimacy:
\n\u201cDo the apostles in Jerusalem recognize this man?\u201d<\/em>
\n\u201cWho ordained him to preach?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

But these questions did not stop Paul from preaching the Gospel boldly. His focus was not on titles or approval from other men but on faithfulness to the One who had called him Jesus Christ<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Even when Paul later did meet the apostles in Jerusalem after 14 years <\/strong>he made it clear that they added nothing to his message:<\/p>\n

Galatians 2:6 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cAs for those who were held in high esteem whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism <\/em>they added nothing to my message.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In fact, in Galatians 2:11\u201314, we see Paul even confronting Peter (Cephas)<\/strong> for hypocrisy when Peter started behaving differently out of fear of the Jewish believers. Paul rebuked him publicly because the truth of the Gospel was at stake.<\/p>\n

Galatians 2:11 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cBut when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Paul did this not out of pride, but because he valued truth<\/strong> over titles<\/strong>, and calling<\/strong> over tradition<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

What Can the Church Learn Today?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In the early church, there were only 12 apostles<\/strong> recognized with great authority. But today, the number of \u201crecognized\u201d leaders is countless bishops, reverends, archbishops, and so on. While leadership and order in the church are biblical and necessary<\/strong> (Hebrews 13:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:12), it becomes problematic when man made hierarchies hinder people from obeying the call of God<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Many today feel disqualified from serving simply because they haven’t received approval from those in positions above them. You may be told:<\/p>\n