Simply put, if Paul had no personal connection with Jesus, then neither does anyone else living today.
Both statements are false, except in the sense of personal face to face relationship on earth, but which did not mean those who did rally knew Him that deeply. yet all who are born again have no personal connection with Jesus.
And rather than being independent from Christ, to fully know Him was Paul's most earnest desire.
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2)
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (Philippians 3:10,11)
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23)
Moreover, Paul did encounter Christ while on earth, and likely was taught by Him in Arabia, and in other encounters, all of which points to communion and intimacy:
Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? (1 Corinthians 9:1)
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11-12)
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. (Galatians 1:15-17)
Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. (Acts 18:9-10)
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)
Hardly some hijacker. Yet the Muslims who teach this have the audacity to assert the Comforter of Jn. 16 is Muham-mad (the dis-comforter)