Paul an apostle—sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the members of God’s family who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: (Galatians 1: 1-2)

There are fourteen epistles of Paul in authorized scripture. In most the salutation is similar to "Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God..." (Corinthians I). In this letter to several churches located in what is now central Turkey, Paul is keen to underline his independent authority.

Paul reminds those to whom he writes that he has been given his role and purpose directly by Jesus Christ and by God. While Paul did not know Jesus prior to the resurrection, he claims that his personal experience of the Christ is fully equivalent to the Twelve.

To be an apostle is to be a "messenger" or "delegate." Paul's message comes directly and only from the Christ. The remainder of the letter will contrast this with other messengers. This is among the earliest of Paul's letters. It is typically dated at about the year 54.

Above is Saint Paul Writing His Epistles by Valentin de Boulogne.