Follow Christ through His appointed messenger
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Paul magnifies his office, not his personal greatness. His authority comes from the Lord Jesus Christ. Following Paul as he follows Christ means receiving Christ’s instruction through the apostle He appointed for this ministry. It does not place Paul above the Lord or deny the authority of other inspired Scripture.
A gospel received by revelation
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Read Galatians 1 KJB with Acts 9 KJB, Acts 22 KJB, and Acts 26 KJB. These accounts establish Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ and his commission. Galatians 2 KJB then describes his communication with the Jerusalem apostles and the recognition of distinct responsibilities.
The term “Mid-Acts” identifies the emergence of this ministry within Acts, in contrast to placing the beginning of the Body at Pentecost in Acts 2 KJB or after Acts 28 KJB. The Acts 9 position ties its beginning to Paul’s salvation and commission. Mid-Acts teachers differ on some details of the transition, so conclusions should be established from passages rather than from the label alone.
Why Acts needs careful reading
Acts is historical narrative recording change. Israel’s ministry, Paul’s calling, Gentile response, apostolic signs, and the communication of the new revelation unfold within the account. A practice recorded during that unfolding history should be evaluated alongside the doctrine supplied in the epistles before being made a requirement for all believers today.
Paul himself sometimes addresses Israel or describes former conditions. “Paul wrote it” does not eliminate the need to identify the subject and audience of each sentence. Romans 9–11 KJB, for example, discusses Israel in considerable detail.
Read Romans through Philemon as a connected foundation
- Romans: sin, justification, identification with Christ, Israel, and the believer’s practical walk.
- 1 and 2 Corinthians: church order, the cross, resurrection, ministry, and correction of disorder.
- Galatians: grace, faith, liberty, and the danger of returning to law for righteousness.
- Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians: identity in Christ, the mystery, unity, spiritual growth, and Christ’s sufficiency.
- 1 and 2 Thessalonians: faithful living, comfort, and the believer’s hope.
- 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon: sound teaching, ministry responsibilities, godliness, and grace in personal relationships.
Learn, then teach faithfully
Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Paul’s instruction calls for consideration, not blind loyalty to a teacher. Read patiently, compare Scripture, and grow in understanding. In 2 Timothy 2:2 KJB he instructs Timothy to commit what he has heard to faithful men able to teach others. The aim is sound doctrine communicated with faithfulness and care.