Paul instructed by Jesus
I was told that Paul was taught by Jesus for three years. Is that true?
In the opening chapter of Galatians the apostle Paul indicated the way in which he received instruction in the Christian faith. “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12).
Later in the same chapter the apostle mentioned his travels into Arabia and Damascus. After that he wrote: “Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days” (Galatians 1:18). The “after three years” refers to the interval of time after his conversion and before he went to Jerusalem—and not the duration of time he received instruction from the Lord.
It is challenging to piece together the events from Paul’s life as described in Galatians and Acts. What is certain is that God intervened in the life of one of his most ardent opponents and turned him into a passionate and tireless kingdom worker. God’s grace shown to you and me is no less amazing (Ephesians 2:1-10).