How Paul Became an Apostle

11 [fn]But I make known to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached did not originate with man. 12 For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it by a revelation of [fn]Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, being far more zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when [fn]God, who set me apart before I was born and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I could preach good news about him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away to Arabia and returned again to Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with [fn]Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the brother of the Lord. 20 (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) 21 Then I went into 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 people say, “The man who once persecuted us is now preaching the good news of the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 So they were glorifying God because of me.