In Galatians 1:19, Paul mentions meeting only James, yet Acts 9 suggests he encountered other apostles; which account is correct?

Historical and Textual Context

Galatians 1 and Acts 9 describe events in the apostle Paul’s early days following his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. Written to address issues in the Galatian churches, Paul’s letter conveys the immediacy of his divine calling, clarifying that he did not receive the gospel from men. Acts 9, recorded by Luke, offers a narrative-style account of Paul’s activities as he joined the disciples in Jerusalem. Both passages stem from the same historical setting of Paul’s life, but they focus on different aspects: Galatians emphasizes Paul’s independence in receiving revelation from God, whereas Acts details the interactions that occurred around Paul’s initial visit to Jerusalem.

Examination of Galatians 1:19

“(Galatians 1:19) But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.”

This statement underscores Paul’s desire to show he had minimal contact with the Jerusalem church leadership at that time. He stresses that he is not dependent on any apostolic tradition for his message—rather, he received it through direct revelation (Galatians 1:11–12). Notably, Paul mentions meeting James the Lord’s brother, whom he refers to as an apostle. The designation of James as an apostle in some early Christian writings (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:7, where James is singled out in resurrection appearances) highlights James’s unique leadership role within the early church community.

Overview of Acts 9

Acts 9 provides a narrative chronology:

• Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19).

• Paul’s initial ministry in Damascus (Acts 9:20–25).

• Paul’s move to Jerusalem, where he attempts to join the disciples (Acts 9:26). Barnabas then brings him to the apostles (Acts 9:27).

• Paul’s bold preaching in Jerusalem (Acts 9:28–29), followed by his departure to Tarsus (Acts 9:30).

“(Acts 9:27–28) Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and described how on the road Saul had seen the Lord… So Saul moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.”

Luke’s account indicates Paul did meet with church leaders. However, Acts does not specifically list every leader present. It mentions “the apostles,” a term often used broadly to signify recognized pillars of the church, but Acts 9 does not say that Paul conferred in-depth with multiple apostles—or with anyone beyond Peter and James.

Harmonizing the Two Accounts

1. Paul’s Emphasis in Galatians

In Galatians, Paul’s argument hinges upon the fact that he is not a secondhand messenger. He highlights how little time he spent learning from the Jerusalem apostles; this underscores that his gospel came “by a revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12). Consequently, Paul underscores that during this 15-day stay (Galatians 1:18), he only met Peter (Galatians 1:18) and James (Galatians 1:19). The phrase “I saw none of the other apostles” serves to prove he did not get his doctrine or authority from them.

2. Acts’ Broader Description

Acts 9 focuses on the narrative flow—Paul’s acceptance among Jerusalem believers and his bold preaching. Barnabas “brought him to the apostles” (Acts 9:27), using a plural term likely reflecting Peter and James specifically, and possibly referring to others who were part of the apostolic circle. Yet, the text does not detail any extensive or separate meeting with more than Peter and James. Luke’s purpose is to show how Paul gained trust in Jerusalem through Barnabas, not to itemize every person Paul conversed with.

3. Consistency in Focus

Both passages fit together when recognizing each author’s intent. Paul is highlighting minimal reliance on human teaching, so he names only Peter and James. Luke focuses on the church’s cautious reception of Paul and how Barnabas bridged that gap. The mention of “the apostles” in Acts does not necessarily imply every single apostle was present for lengthy discussions. It often denotes the church’s leadership body; James and Peter were prime figures among them.

Possible Explanations

1. Selective Mention

Galatians 1:19 is selective, referencing only the leading figures crucial to Paul’s argument. Seeing James, the Lord’s brother (who carried significant influence in Jerusalem) and Peter demonstrates Paul’s rightful connection to Jerusalem’s primary leaders without suggesting he was trained or influenced directly by them.

2. Different Emphases in Genre

Galatians is a letter making a theological and apologetic point about the source of Paul’s gospel. Acts is a historical narrative documenting broad strokes of early Christian growth. Writers in the ancient world commonly emphasized different details without contradiction.

3. Use of “Apostles” in Acts

The Greek terminology of “apostles” can mean either the Twelve specifically or leading authoritative figures in the church. Even if Paul met “the apostles,” it could have been as few as the main representatives (Peter, James) whom Luke collectively refers to in Acts 9.

Affirmation of Reliability

From a manuscript perspective, we possess robust copies of both Galatians and Acts that are internally consistent and ancient. Early church fathers (such as Irenaeus and Tertullian) cite Galatians and Acts affirming their harmonious teachings. Archaeological findings concerning early Christian communities in Jerusalem reinforce that James, as the Lord’s brother, held a prominent role. There is no historical or textual evidence of contradiction in these Pauline and Lukan accounts; rather, each stands independently sound while complementing the other.

Conclusion

Both Galatians 1:19 and Acts 9 are correct in describing whom Paul encountered in Jerusalem. Galatians stresses Paul’s lack of extensive consultation with the apostles, naming only Peter and James as key contacts. Acts describes Paul’s reception in Jerusalem, facilitated by Barnabas’ testimony, noting that apostolic leaders met him and recognized his conversion. Understanding the distinct focus and literary purpose of each book harmonizes the details.

These passages, once carefully compared, exhibit the consistent testimony that Paul indeed met James and Peter in Jerusalem but did not develop his gospel through an extended instructional period with the other apostles. Each account highlights a different perspective without any conflict, affirming the unity and trustworthiness of Scripture.