11 My friends, I want you to know that no one made up the message I preach.
12 It wasn't given or taught to me by some mere human. My message came directly from Jesus Christ when he appeared to me.
13 You know how I used to live as a Jew. I was cruel to God's church and even tried to destroy it.
14 I was a much better Jew than anyone else my own age, and I obeyed every law that our ancestors had given us.
15 But even before I was born, God had chosen me. He was kind and had decided
16 to show me his Son, so that I would announce his message to the Gentiles. I didn't talk this over with anyone.
17 I didn't say a word, not even to the men in Jerusalem who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went at once to Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.