An Introduction to the Book of Galatians

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Galatians 1:1-9 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 brothers who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Opening Prayer

Introduction

Who is this letter written to?

It was written to the churches that Paul planted on his missionary journeys.

These churches were located in the Roman province of Galatia.

The province of Galatia included

And you can read more about that in Acts 13-14.

Paul wrote the book of Galatians to reaffirm the Gospel message.

One of the constant problems of the NT Church were Judaizers.

Judaizers would come in and mix God’s gospel of grace...

With a works salvation.

Which, if believed, would make the gospel of no affect.

So, not only is Paul reaffirming the true, biblical gospel of JC...

He is addressing the belief that had crept in that taught that non-Jewish Christians should follow the laws of Torah.

Some of the Judaizers had come to the churches and started telling the people that if they really wanted to be included in the family of God...

They needed to be circumcised and follow the Laws of Moses.

And, so Paul hears about this...

And, that people in the church were buying into such a false system of belief...

And, he was shocked, angered, and saddened.

One of the ways in which the Judaizers were were gaining ground with their false doctrines...

Was by calling into question Paul’s apostleship.

And, hence, his authority and the authority and accuracy of the gospel that he preached.

So, as we read this letter to the Galatian churches we immediately see...

That most of Chapter 1 and the first part of Chapter 2 is Paul defending His apostleship...

And the authority/accuracy (veracity) of the gospel he preached.

Paul’s Apostleship & Authority is Being Attacked

What is the meaning of this word Apostle?

In its simplest definition it merely means “sent one.”

So, an apostle is one who is one who is sent to represent.

And the position and authority of the apostle is based upon who is doing the sending (the sending agency).

Let me give you an example...

Acts 14:4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. (Paul/Barnabas)

So, is Barnabas to be considered an apostle of JC?

Well, the first question that we can answer is who is the sending agency?

While at the Church in Antioch, we read in...

Acts 13:2-3 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.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

So, the HS initiated the sending of Paul and Barnabas to the mission work...

And, while the Apostle Paul was an Apostle of JC...

Paul & Barnabas were sent by the church in Antioch.

So, they were sent ones of the Church in Antioch.

And, therefore Paul and Barnabas were apostles of the Church in Antioch.

But, that doesn’t negate the fact that Paul was an Apostle of JC.

Who would be considered and Apostle of JC?

A person who was invested with the highest office in the church--under Christ himself--appointed to that office BY Christ himself.

Requirements to be an Apostle

In defending Paul’s apostleship to the Corintians, he says in...

1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?

So, one requirement of being an Apostle of JC was visibly, physically seeing the resurrected Lord, JC.

We see Jesus sending his post resurrection 11 as His representatives in...

John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

So, here we see the commissioning of the disciples as Apostles of the Lord, JC.

Acts 1:21-22 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”

So, the necessity of being an eye witness of the resurrection removes Judas Iscariot from being considered an Apostle.

Matthias was chosen to take his place and be an Apostle with the other 11 because he was an eyewitness of Jesus’ resurrection.

What about Paul? Did he see the risen Jesus?

In Acts 26:15-18 Paul describes his being confronted by the risen Lord...

And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

So, the risen Lord made a special appearance to Paul to convert him...

And, make him an eyewitness of the risen Lord...

So, that Paul could be an Apostle of JC to the Gentiles.

Paul, when describing the appearance of Christ to himself as a call to be one of Christ’s apostles...

Paul describes it as such...

1 Corinthians 15:8-9 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

So, Paul says I came at a later time than the other 12 Apostles of JC.

But, I was appointed nonetheless by Jesus, Himself.

And, it was an In-Person commissioning.

Galatians 1:11-12 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.

So, 13 Apostles of Jesus Christ.

The original 12 minus Judas. Matthias taking the place of Judas as an eye witness of the resurrection...

And being chosen by God via the other 11.

And, then Paul being called out by Christ, Himself, on the road to Damascus.

Now, that brings us back to the opening of this letter...

Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—

Paul’s Message is from Christ Himself as an Apostle of JC

Notice that Paul lays out a stark contrast between being a “sent one”...

An apostle of man between being an Apostle of JC.

There’s a difference.

You cannot pass down an apostleship of JC.

You cannot pass down being an eyewitness of the physically risen, Lord JC.

The Apostles has a specific purpose and that purpose was time sensitive...

Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

The Apostles of JC were commissioned personally by Christ for the purpose of laying the foundation of the NT Church.

They were and always will be the Apostles of JC.

Now, they are waiting in heaven with Christ and will one day be with all those who believed the message...

And doctrine they were commission by Christ to teach...

To build the Church of the Lord JC.

Now that the Apostles have passed on to glory...

And now, we, the NT Church, teach and learn the doctrine that was laid by the Apostles of the Lord JC.

Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

So, the Apostles and Prophets are in glory...

And Pastors/Elders have been given to the NT Church to teach the Apostles doctrine, which was commissioned by Christ...

And, that consistent teaching equips the saints (Christians) for the work of the ministry...

And, the work of the ministry builds up the body of Christ...

Through the process of evangelism which converts the soul and renews the image of God in us...

And, through the process of sanctification, which conforms us into the image of Christ.

So, Paul is an Apostle, not of man, but of JC which give his apostleship and message the authority of JC.

And His message through this epistle will highlight this message that is foundational to the Christian gospel, the Christian church, and the Christian life.

Overview of Galatians

Paul will defend his apostleship & the gospel of Jesus Christ… (Chapters 1-2)

Which is a gospel of grace, not of merit.

A gospel that is NOT here’s what you must do to be saved...

But, a gospel that consists of this message...

Here is what has been done, by Christ, on your behalf.

Believe this message, which is believing in the person and finished work of Christ...

Believe this gospel. Believe upon Christ...

And, be saved.

Paul will teach us that by faith in the person and work of Christ...

God is creating a new, multi-ethnic family. (Chapters 3-4)

It is no longer one ethnic people of God...

It is a multi-ethnic people of God.

And, it was always meant to be that way.

The family of God is made up of people from every tribe, tongue and nation.

And, Paul will teach us that this family of God is being transformed into the image of Christ...

by the Spirit of God. (Chapters 5-6)

So, we will really flesh out what Paul says in...

Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

So, next week we begin digging deeply in the this letter from the Apostle Paul to the churches of Galatia.

Closing Prayer