Exclusivity of The Gospel (Gal. 1:1-10)

Introduction: Milli Vanilli - the only group to win a grammy and have it revoked

Introduction to Galatians - points to consider

Where in the world - three points of importance

In central Asia Minor - Is now the area of modern day Turkey

Was annexed by the Romans in 25 BC at which time they began a large urbanization effort

There was a lot of cult worship (including to the Roman emporer) but one notation of importance “At Pessinous, there was an important cultic center for the worship of Cybele, the mother of the gods in the Anatolian pantheon, whose devotees (called galli) were reputed to have castrated themselves (Strabo 12.5.1–3; Roller, In Search, 227–232, 341).”

When in the world - It is believed, conservatively speaking, that the letter to the Galatians was written by Paul sometime between 48 and 50 AD, or after if it were written after Paul’s 3rd missionary journey would place it around 52 to 57 AD.

What in the world - Jewish Christian opponents had moved in and began teaching that the gentiles had to be both circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic law. They were promoting a false gospel and stirring up dissent and division.

Care and Concern

Paul’s deviation from the typical pattern of introduction:

He forgoes the prayer of thanksgiving and lays out the themes of the entire letter (he only does this in one other letter [Titus] which also deals with heresy):

His apostleship comes from Christ, not man.

His concern the Galatians are being taken in by a False Gospel.

Paul’s emphasis on The Son and The Father -

In the short opening Paul emphasizes both his apostleship and the grace and peace to the Galatians through and from God the Father and Jesus Christ.

The emphasis on this reminds us that:

our status as redeemed individuals before God is contingent upon God’s actions and calling toward us

Grace and peace that we seek and desire comes alone through Jesus Christ

Paul builds on this in the next section

Point of Concern: Exclusivity of the Gospel

Two terms of importance - Accursed and Gospel

Accursed - The term accursed here is used twice in this section. Paul uses the term 5 times in his writings, twice we see it in this section.

From the greek: ἀνάθεμα (anathema) in Paul’s useage we see him reference it toward either a person who is cursed ( Romans 9:2-3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.) or in situations like this where we read “let them be accursed.”

the use of it here has to do with the sales pitch of a false Gospel

we might otherwise say heretical teaching concerning the Gospel - that which would not deliver on the promise of salvation present in the Gospel Paul has proclaimed.

Paul is stating of those who would spread a different “gospel” that because of their spreading a false gospel they should be accursed.

Paul’s use of the term “Gospel”

The term Gospel is used 4 times in the 4 verses 6-10. The importance of the clarity of what actually constitutes the Gospel is vital for the believer. Apart from the true hope in the Gospel of Christ one is left with a false hope in fictitious “good” news.

It is in the greek: evangelion; specifically meaning good news. One author puts it as this:

“When the concept of gospel is equated with the news about Jesus, it identifies the message about Jesus’ kingdom-bringing life, death, and resurrection as the fulfillment of God’s ancient promises in Isa 52:7 that he will redeem Israel and the world. Thus, gospel in the NT is the notion that God has accomplished his ancient promises of salvation through the Messiah, Jesus.” Kugler, C. (2014). Gospel. D. Mangum, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, & R. Hurst (Eds.), Lexham Theological Wordbook. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

English Standard Version Chapter 52

How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of him who brings good news,

who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,

who publishes salvation,

who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Good news = God has accomplished His ancient promises of salvation through the Messiah Jesus.

what does this mean for us in the 2020 world: what are some of the biggest challenges we face?

we are not that different: they faced military duties, they faced illnesses, they dealt with death…They lived in a fallen world just like us.

And just like us: they needed Christ to redeem them - the message of hope in the Gospel is one that supplants the challenges of the world through the overcoming of Christ on behalf of the believer:

English Standard Version Chapter 16

“Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Paul’s emotional plea: we will see throughout the letter, and even here in the opening verses Paul makes a somewhat emotional plea regarding both his concern for the Galatians and befuddlement as to how/why they would fall for a false Gospel message.

The Gospel is a hold the line issue.

Examples of issues we should be lax on but often fight over: color of the carpet…what to have for the Sunday morning potluck, how often we do communion, do we have drums on stage for worship. These can be important issues but in all reality they don’t come to the level of a hold the line issue:

The Gospel is a hold the line issue.

English Standard Version Chapter 16

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

English Standard Version Chapter 4

11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

What is our hope in? is it in ourselves? what can a man do to save himself?

Is it in the gift offered by God to redeem us and to give us eternal life? a gift that only the one who has the authority to give it can give and there is only one with that authority.

So, what now?

Be confident in your salvation in Christ: Don’t be swayed or intimidated by the echo of public opinion

Hold fast to the freedom you’ve been given in Christ

(When asked), give a reason for the hope you have. Live out the hope you have in Christ