What does "received from the Lord" reveal about Paul's authority and message?

◄ Paul's authority in "received from Lord"? ►

Context: A Sacred Tradition With Divine Origin

1 Corinthians 11:23: “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread.”

Direct Revelation, Not Second-Hand Information

• Paul states that the instruction came “from the Lord,” underscoring that his source is the risen Christ Himself (cf. Acts 9:3-6).

• Galatians 1:11-12 mirrors this claim: “I did not receive it from any man… I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.”

• Because the information is direct, Paul speaks with the same weight as an eyewitness of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

Apostolic Authority Confirmed

• “Received” signals divine commissioning; Paul is Christ’s “chosen instrument” (Acts 9:15).

• His words carry binding authority for the churches (1 Thessalonians 4:2, 15).

• Peter places Paul’s letters alongside “the other Scriptures” (2 Peter 3:15-16), showing early recognition of that authority.

Faithful Transmission: From Christ to Paul to the Church

• The pattern is “received… passed on,” forming a trustworthy chain (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:3).

• Paul does not innovate but preserves the Lord’s teaching unchanged, inviting believers to do the same (2 Timothy 2:2).

Unity With the Gospel Message

• The words institute the Lord’s Supper, tying the ordinance directly to Christ’s atoning work (Luke 22:19-20).

• This aligns with Paul’s core gospel: “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

Practical Implications for Believers

• The Lord’s Supper is not a human ritual but a divine command; reverence and self-examination are non-negotiable (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

• Obedience to Paul’s teaching equals obedience to Christ, because the instruction originates with the Lord.

Confidence in Scripture’s Reliability

• If Paul’s message is received from Jesus, Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) and carries absolute truth.

• Believers can trust that what is written is exactly what Christ intended His church to know, believe, and practice.