Paul's Conversion and Commission

Introduction - Review

Paul continues to describe his own conversion to Christianity from Judaism and his early contact with the Apostles at Jerusalem as a way of establishing his legitimacy as a teacher and Apostle. (Galatians 1:10-2:10) The Judaizers came to Galatia to restore the “true” gospel.

Paul responds to accusations that his gospel is not the same:

1.He received the Gospel from Jesus, not men

2.The Apostles acknowledged Paul

3.He had to correct Peter

Galatians 1:11–12 ESV

11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:13–14 ESV

13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.

THE LAW

ADDING TRADITION

Galatians 1:15–17 ESV

15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Galatians 1:18–20 ESV

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!)

Galatians 1:21–24 ESV

21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

Paul’s Activities

•Taught in Antioch

•Relief mission for Jerusalem

•Returned to Antioch with Barnabas and John-Mark

•First Missionary Journey

•Established churches in Galatia

Galatians 2:1-10 / Acts 15

•Return from First Missionary Journey

•Debate with Judaizers

•Trip to Jerusalem

•Renewed debate with Judaizers

•Apostles and Elders discuss issue brought up by Judaizers

•Apostles and elders support Paul

Galatians 2:1–2 ESV

1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.

Galatians 2:3 ESV

3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek.

Galatians 2:4–5 ESV

4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.

Galatians 2:6 ESV

6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.

Galatians 2:7–8 ESV

7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles),

Galatians 2:9 ESV

9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

Galatians 2:10 ESV

10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Lessons

1.It’s not who you know, it’s what you preach

2.Preaching is more important and fruitful than debating