It is often asserted by devout people that they can know the Bible completely without helps. They preface their interpretations with a remark like this: “Dear friends, I have read no man’s book. I have consulted no man-made commentaries. I have gone right to the Bible to see what it had to say for itself.” This sounds very spiritual, and usually is seconded with “amens” from the audience.
At the time of Pauls conversion there was nothing except the holy spirit and mens words to learn by, and Paul said that he learned from the Holy spirit.
He was not about to go to those hypocrites who walked with Jesus for over 3 years.
Gal 1
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
But is this the pathway of wisdom? Does any man have either the right or the learning to by-pass all the godly learning of the church? We think not.>>>>>>
If Paul felt no need to go to the apostles who knew Jesus and learned from him first hand, who am I to listen to some one trying to sell a book or are preaching for hire?
No thanks, I will go to the scripture, I might have to have help in understanding them but that is a far different cry than depending on mans theory in place of scripture.
Raven,
Against that is the revelation that God has gifted teachers to the church - and of course that Paul was caught up into the presence of the Glorified Christ and received the Gospel from Him.
Best,