Why give credence to Paul’s authority?

Early in my walk I struggled with accepting Paul’s authority.  Over time, these reasons have convicted me of Paul’s appointment, affirmation and authority granted by Jesus and the Holy Spirit

Road to Damascus is first (Acts) encounter with Jesus
Paul’s trance in the Temple (Acts) again is an Jesus encounter
Paul’s vision in prison (Acts) is once again direct leading encounter from Jesus
Paul is His chosen instrument to carry Jesus’ name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. (Acts)
Paul’s commission was affirmed by the apostles in Jerusalem, who recognized (through the Holy Spirit) the grace given to him. He was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter was to the circumcised (Galatians 2:7-9)

As an appointed messenger of God he felt that he had the authority to build people up (2 Corinthians 10:8) and he could speak authoritatively about what God’s will might be in a certain situation (1 Corintians 7:10).

Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead. Galatians 1:1

It is abundantly clear that in Paul’s concept of ministry that the real authority in the church is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s ministry is expressed through spiritual gifts in the entire body (1 Corinthians 12) but is best expressed through genuine love (1 Corinthians 13). Authority, even Paul’s authority was nothing without love.

1 Corinthians 14:37, “If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.”

“I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry.” Romans 11:13

A Simpler List

1. Jesus called Paul as an apostle. Acts 9:15, “But the Lord [Jesus] said to him [Ananias], ‘Go, for he [Paul] is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel.’”
2. Paul was directly appointed by Jesus. Galatians 1:1, “Paul, an apostle—not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead.”
   Paul claimed to be an apostle. Romans 1:1, “Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.”
3. Paul received revelation from Jesus. Galatians 1:11–12, “For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”
4. Paul’s message was the same as the other Apostles, Galatians 2:7–9, “But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised 8 (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), 9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.”
5. Paul demonstrated apostolic signs. 2 Corinthians 12:12, “The distinguishing marks of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs, wonders, and miracles.”
6. Peter endorsed Paul. 2 Peter 3:15–16, “and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.”