Galatians 1:1-9
1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert[a] the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be [b]accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
I thought it would be appropriate today to quote to you from Alice in Wonderland, seeing how we all seem to be there. This is the conversation that Alice had with the Caterpillar, and the Caterpillar says to Alice,
“Who are you?” said the Caterpillar.
This was not an encouraging opening for a
conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, “I—I hardly know, Sir, just at
present—at least I know who I was when
I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since
then.”
“What do you mean by that?” said the
Caterpillar, sternly. “Explain yourself!”
“I ca’n’t explain myself, I’m afraid, Sir,” said Alice, “because I am
not myself, you see.” —Chapter 5, Advice from a Caterpillar
Some people struggle with their identity. Today, If I have nowhere to go, or nowhere to be. Who am I? As a teacher..I’m in that limbo… If I find myself in Wonderland, and up is down, north is south. If it feels like all I’m doing is shopping for groceries, and trying to retain my sanity. Who am I?
If you are a Christian, the answer remains constant regardless of circumstances. You are,
A child of God John 1:12
One with Christ 1 Corinthians 6:17
Called to be a light in your world.
In other words, you still have purpose. It may just take you a little more time and effort to find it.
This message continues our study in Paul’s epistle to the Galatians. We found last time that this was Paul’s letter to a people who were questioning who he was. And his answer is an emphatic;
I am a Preacher of the Truth!
Let’s pray
This whole book is about who we are…
A. Identity-Paul: Standing up for his Apostleship 1:1-2:21
B. Identity-Saved by Grace: Standing up for the Gospel 3:1–4:31
C. Identity-Living by Grace: Standing up for Spiritual Freedom 5:1–6:18
Paul: Standing up for his Apostleship—the contenders—in this corner-Paul, in that corner-the Judaizers, the audience-the churches of Galatia,
I. Identity-Paul: Standing up for his Apostleship 1:1-2:21
A. The Contenders (1:1–9)—this is a fight
1. In this corner
Paul, an apostle, not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father
Who was Paul?—life, conversion, calling, authority
a. Early life
Saul was very, very devoted to Judaism. Galatians 1:14, “I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. That’s why” – back to verse 13 – “I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.” That’s the Saul we meet in the eighth chapter of the book of Acts.
b. conversion
This is an unbelievable miracle. This is a man who is an adult, who has been such an extreme Pharisee, so far advanced in his religion, that he murdered Christians. In one period of three days he is now a preacher of the gospel of the very One he hated and persecuted.
This is the transforming power of God.
c. Calling—an apostle
Paul, an apostle
What is an apostle? “one who is sent off” messenger. delegate. Ambassador. Very familiar term, by the way, to the Jewish people as well as to the Gentiles. It referred to some special emissary who is sent out from some monarch or some official government as a representative with legal authority to act on behalf of the king, or on behalf of that government.
So what did Paul mean when he called himself an apostle? In the Bible, 2 categories of meaning; all Christian—small A, and Capital “A” apostle.
All Christians, in one sense, are “sent ones.”
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us:
Not an official title—deacon, for example, means servant, we are all called to be servants, but some take on the title, all Christians are “sent ones”—some may get specific directions---go to Africa. Others are sent to their work
2nd type—capital “A” there are no more of these
Let’s be clear about this, because there are people running around today calling themselves “apostle.” But there is also an apostle with a capital a. These were the original 12 and Paul. They were sent as well, but something sets them apart. What is it?
We know something sets them apart, because Paul spends a good portion of this letter defending the fact that he is one.
Let’s look to see what sets them apart—the original 12
Acts 1:15 15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the [f]disciples….(Judas) ‘Let another take his [j]office.’
“For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’
Psalm 109:7-9 New King James Version (NKJV)
7 When he is judged, let him be found
guilty,
And let his prayer become sin.
8 Let his days
be few,
And let another take his office.
9 Let his children
be fatherless,
And his wife a widow.
Prophetically---there must be one to take Judas “office”---Apostle…it’s an official position—not just a general evangelistic calling. So they are going to replace Judas—but who do they get? Just any believer? No, they set out the qualifications.
21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” 26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
What were the qualifications? A witness to the resurrection, chosen by the Lord Himself.
So in this sense—Paul was an Apostle, capital A. He was a witness to the resurrection…He was chosen by the Lord Himself---Damascus Road
There are no more of these. There may be Christians who are “sent” to particular regions of the world---we call them missionaries. But nobody alive today is a personal witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Nobody is being chosen to fill the “A” apostleship role.
And from the start of this epistle he has to defend his apostleship. The Judaizers were challenging his apostleship. We can imagine what they may have been saying. “You’re not one of the 12. Your name was not in the hat to replace Judas.” You were nowhere around during the 3 year ministry of Jesus. And he wasn’t. Where was Paul?
Born outside of Israel—Tarsus—southern Turkey
Educated under Gamalial
“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.—remember Gamaliel
Acts 5:33-35 New King James Version (NKJV)
33 When they heard this, they were furious[a] and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, [b]take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.
Gamaliel holds a reputation in the Mishnah for being one of the greatest teachers in all the annals of Judaism: "Since Rabban Gamaliel the Elder died, there has been no more reverence for the law, and purity and piety died out at the same time".[7]
Interesting question—did Paul ever see or hear Jesus—must of heard of HimSo Paul was educated in and around Jerusalem. We know as well that any devout Jew would have been in Jerusalem at the Passover. 3 times during Jesus ministry they may have crossed paths.
Paul may have been a part of those nameless Pharisees who opposed Jesus, sought to trip Him up with questions, conspired to destroy Him
Some believe that he was a witness to the crucifixion, we don’t know.
We know that he was there later as an adult--- Stephen stoned around 36 AD—3 years after Jesus death and resurrection---Acts 7:58-60 New King James Version (NKJV)58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’
But Paul never mentions, or gives a personal anecdote about hearing or meeting Jesus. Since he had family outside of the country, we don’t know when he traveled home, etc.
But He was a witness to the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:7-9 New King James Version (NKJV)
7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
And he was personally chosen by Christ.
And these very questions were likely used to challenge Paul’s apostleship. They probably also brought up the fact that he was a former blasphemer and persecutor of the church.
So from the start Paul has to say, “I am an apostle.” Why? Because the spiritual fate of these Galatian churches rests on their believing the gospel---and my friends---he’s the only one delivering that message to the Gentiles.
d. authority
Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
Not from men nor through man---I wasn’t chosen by men—I was personally chosen by Jesus Christ and God the Father
Galatians 1:15, “When God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood. I didn’t even go to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me...I went to Arabia” - “and I was there three years. I don’t have a commission from anybody in Jerusalem. I have a commission from Christ Himself.”
It's a fight over his apostleship. Now that’s the first contender. The second contender are the Judaizers
2. the preachers of a different gospel
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be [b]accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
a. Judaizers—preach a different gospel, claim to be Christian, claim authority, are persuasive, are damned
That word is not in the Bible, it is just a label that has been placed on this group of people when talking about them. Who were they?
Judaizers claimed to be Christians. That’s how they had access to the churches.
Want to make Gentiles become Jews.
Acts 15: And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
Galatians 2: 11 Now when [d]Peter had come to Antioch, I [e]withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing [f]those who were of the circumcision.
b. Claim authority
verse 13. “There are false apostles,” 2: 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage),
This group can be found throughout the New Testament
Philippians 3:2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 Watch out for “dogs,”[a] watch out for evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh.
c. Why are they doing this?
verse 13 of chapter 6, “Those who are circumcised don’t even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so they may boast in your flesh.” –rack up a list of converts
6, in verse 12, he says something else about them: “Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised.” “so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ,”
Early persecution of the jewish church
Acts 8 stephen stoned—36 AD
On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. 3 Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.
This is just a couple of years after Jesus crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. Persecution---but then it stopped—why? Saul is converted shortly after Stephen’s stoning.—36 AD
Acts 9: 31 So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers.
Things have begun to settle down. But then Paul starts actively preaching to the Gentiles---and preaching that they can know God, through faith in Jesus, apart from the law, and circumcision. And now, devout Jews in the Gentile world are getting stirred up again.
Antioch in Pisidia
Acts 13: 42 As they[n] were leaving, the people[o] begged that these matters be presented to them the following Sabbath. 43 After the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and persuading them to continue in the grace of God.
44 The following Sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the message of the Lord.[p] 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to oppose what Paul was saying by insulting him.
They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their district.
14 The same thing happened in Iconium; they entered the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers.
4 But the people of the city were divided, some siding with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to assault and stone them, 6 they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian towns called Lystra and Derbe, and to the surrounding countryside. 7 And there they kept evangelizing.
Then came the Jerusalem counsel.
So what’s their motive? ---compromise in order to avoid persecution
We believe in Jesus, but you are upsetting our Jewish friends and family by preaching that Gentiles can come to God without Mosaic law. And we are being branded guilty by association. So if we can just get these Gentiles to become jews, the jews won’t be offended, and our lives will be more peaceful.
Go along to get along.
People have been doing that for the entire history of the church.
d. how could the Galatians fall for it?—the judaizers are persuasive
But even if we, or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him![d]
the appearance of the people who preach the false gospel They look religious, they sound religious, they act religious. nice kind very devoted people---we fall for this as well—I know people who go to works-oriented churches—they are nice
Paul says, “I don’t care what they are. I don’t care if it’s one of us or an angel from heaven; the person is irrelevant. Anyone who perverts the gospel is damned: anyone.”
e. They are anathema--damned
let him be anathema, damned, accursed!”
There is a word there repeated twice, it is the word “accursed.” It is the Greek word anathema. It means devoted to God for destruction,
The gospel is the good news about salvation. Anyone who distorts the good news about salvation is cursed. This is severe language. It is as harsh as the Word of God ever gets, pronouncing a damning double curse on anyone who distorts or alters the gospel.
Double curse?
1 Corinthians 16:22, “If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed,” same word, anathema. Damnation is pronounced on anyone who does not love the Lord Jesus Christ.
Whatever your religion, if you do not love the Lord Jesus Christ you are cursed. If you preach or teach salvation by anything other than Christ atoning death believed by faith---you are doubly cursed.
In the 20th verse of the 2nd chapter, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” That’s what happens: Christ dies; and by a divine miracle, we die in Him; our sins are paid for; then He comes to live in us.
Circumcision has nothing to do with that. Baptism has nothing to do with that. Christ’s death is a sin offering to God, a ransom paid to God to rescue sinners, and to provide the forgiveness of their sins. It is a full atonement. That’s the nature of the sacrifice.
That’s the gospel.
Now, the audience at this bought are the churches of Galatia. And some of them don’t know who to root for.
3. the churches of Galatia
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert[a] the gospel of Christ.
a. Galatia—who are they—regionally, deserters, for a different gospel
They go into the region called Galatia. Galatia’s not a town, it’s not a city, unlike Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, and others that have the names of the other epistles. This is a region, and there are a number of towns in the region of Galatia.
It’s a region maybe 175 miles by 250 miles. It would be today in Southern Turkey. Galatia comes from the ancient term “Gaul.” Have you ever heard of the Gallic Wars, We learn about some of their cities in the book of Acts
There’s the town called Antioch, which is a rather popular name; a town called Iconium, a town called Lystra, and a town called Derbe. And on the first missionary journey Paul went to all those places, preached the gospel, and established a church. These were the people that he gave the gospel, people dear to his heart. He went back on his second missionary journey to Galatia. He went back on his third missionary journey again to Galatia.
By the way, when he came to the town of Lystra, according to Acts 14:19, the Jews were so furious with him that they stoned him. So he has incredible opposition. And when he goes, you remember his strategy.
When he went into any Gentile town he would go first to the synagogue, because as a Jew he had a connection; and because the gospel came to the Jew first and then the Gentile, he would go there to see if the Lord would save some Jews, then he would have some people with him to try to reach the Gentiles.
Some Jews would believe; the rest would begin to persecute him and whoever was with them, and then begin to persecute the church that he established. So in Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, you have these little new churches.
b. Quickly Deserting him
“deserting,” to transfer your allegiance. It defines a turncoat, a traitor, a deserter.
It’s not passive, it’s middle reflexive, so it would read like this: “You are in the process of deserting God. You are removing yourself.” Now the process is not complete, but they have started to go a wrong direction.
So they are in the process of deserting…
Is Paul speaking to true Christians?
First John 2:18 and 19, “They went out from us, because they were not of us. If they had been of us, they would have remained with us. But they went out from us that we might know that they were never of us.”
But, they hadn’t defected yet. Paul is trying to exhort them to hold on, don’t let go, and something else
chapter 3 for a moment, see if I can’t answer that, verse 2: “This is the only thing I want to find out from you. I just have one question:” – Paul says; let me bring it down – “did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing with faith?”
He’s writing to believers. How do I know? They received the gift of the Holy Spirit
So if they are believers, why is Paul getting so worked up—they can’t lose their salvation. No, but they can lose their effectiveness.---a watered down gospel is a worthless gospel---we are to stand for the truth—a truthless gospel is a toothless gospel—it can’t save—That’s why it always baffles me when Christians talk about their kids—after they are grown—get married—start going to a church that teaches works salvation—“Well at least they’re going to church.—no, they may be saved---but the grandkids aren’t—the great grandkids aren’t---their neighbors and friends aren’t
c. Abandoned the truth For a different gospel
conclusion-- today we are the Galatians---not Paul or the Judaizers---the contenders---because that’s where we are---we are the audience to the bout—the fight---The Galatians found themselves in a precarious position---they were saved---but they were adding rituals, works to salvation, in order to get along in the world.
That’s where the American Christians—real Christians—saved by grace through faith are today. We believe all the right things. But some take on the trappings of legalism in order to blend in with “the Church” at large. I was amazed when we went to seminary in Kansas City—A Southern Baptist church I worked in as a custodian---practiced all the trappings of Roman Catholicism---language—lent—eucharist, calendar. Why?—“See, we are just like you!” So join us—why? If you are just like them---why should I leave them to join you? We are very concerned about “getting along” in the Christian community. And even if we do not take on the trappings of legalism---we will not condemn it
We are in the fight—
1 corinthians 9
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may [i]obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize [j]is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.