Abnormally called (1 Corinthians 15:8), Paul did not tick the boxes that are mentioned in Acts 1:1–26 when it came to replacing Judas. He was not an eye and ear witness of Jesus’ life and resurrection. He did not know Jesus in the flesh, that is, during his time on earth, neither did he receive extensive instruction from Jesus before or after his resurrection. Apart from his Jewish background, the only thing he has in common with the original twelve is the fact that he was directly called by the risen Christ. It was not the church council in Antioch that gave him his office; it was not Ananias, Peter, or John; not through men, not through a man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father.

The road to Damascus was the occasion of his call. That is where Jesus revealed himself to Saul and sent him to go and be his herald. Jesus—who is the pre-eminent apostle, the one who was sent by the Father to redeem God’s elect—he is the one who called Paul, and he confirmed that calling through the churches that Paul established, the churches and the signs that he performed.

Later in the letter, Paul will spend more time defending his office. And he will do so not because it is some kind of status symbol, but because he wants to defend the gospel. He is authorized to communicate the gospel. His understanding of the gospel is not one opinion among many; it is the truth of Christ. It is in accordance with the will of the Father