Galatians 1:11-24

Paul’s Defense of the Gospel of Grace Galatians 1:13-15 Bible Study

I. Paul’s Gospel Is Divine In Origin

Galatians 1:11 ESV

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel.

A. It Was A Revelation of Christ

Galatians 1:12 ESV

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 1:17 ESV

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.

1. It could not have come from himself

a. He was the premiere persecutor of the church.

- He approved of the death of Stephen

Acts 7:60 ESV

And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 8:1 ESV

And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

- He was known by Christians as a terrorist of the church

Galatians 1:13 ESV

For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.

Galatians 1:14 ESV

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.

IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN PAUL BECAUSE PAUL WAS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT MAN, SO MUCH SO THAT HIS NAME WAS DIFFERENT

2. It could not have come from the Apostles:

a. First - Paul was made to be alone with Jesus for three years after the revelation

Galatians 1:17 ESV

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.

PRINCIPLE 1: Conversion makes you an instant follower

of Christ

Acts 9:19 ESV

and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.

Acts 9:20 ESV

And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

of others - show Paul in Acts

Acts 13:1 ESV

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Acts 13:2 ESV

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 13:3 ESV

Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 15:1 ESV

But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

Acts 15:2 ESV

And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.

Acts 15:3 ESV

So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.

AFTER THE DEBATE

Acts 15:22 ESV

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,

PRINCIPLE 2: You are called to follow before and in order to lead

YOU CAN ALWAYS SPOT A GOOD, GODLY LEADER BY HOW WELL AND OBEDIENTLY THEY FOLLOW

PRINCIPLE 3: How Does God Shape A Leader? - He destroys

He destroyed Saul’s pride.

He destroyed Saul’s purpose.

He destroyed Saul’s mission.

Ultimately, he destroyed Saul’s life.

Everything he knew and lived for was destroyed.

Then, as a result Paul was born

Second, Paul only spent 15 days with three Apostles taught him

Galatians 1:18–19 ESV

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.

EVEN WHILE HE WAS THERE THOSE 15 DAYS HE WAS PREACHING (ACTS 9-)

Third, while he went south to Syria and Cilicia, he spent his time preaching the gospel

Galatians 1:21 ESV

Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

Acts 15:41 ESV

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Fourth: When he went north to the Judean churches he was still unknown and still feared

Galatians 1:22 ESV

And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.

Galatians 1:23 ESV

They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”

Acts 9:26 ESV

And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.

III. What Can We Learn from Paul’s Defense of the Origin of the Gospel of Grace?

A. The gospel must be revealed to us

B. The gospel isolates us before God to make our lives and lips transformative to others

C. The gospel produces and cultivates obedience