Welcome, and thank you for joining me as we study the book of Galatians and glean the message Paul reveals regarding the truth of the gospel versus those who preach another gospel or pervert the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the first podcast and blog post, I shared that there are similarities occurring today and talked about the great exposure of those leading His people astray from the truth.
Chapter 1:1-2, Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia:
I absolutely love and appreciate how Paul makes it immediately clear that he is an apostle, but no man appointed him as an apostle, nor did he attend a seminary of sorts or sit under the tutor of man where he was taught and then appointed through man. Rather, he was appointed through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead. From this statement, we understand that Paul knows the Father and the Son and they dwell within him by the Spirit of God. This man understands his assignment.
Below is the Strong’s Concordance definition of an apostle:
Strong’s Greek 652: From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.
apostolos: a messenger, one sent on a mission, an apostle
Paul is a messenger who has been sent to preach the Gospel. He has been given a mandate by Jesus and in his mission, he is to represent Jesus Christ as His ambassador in spirit and in truth.
Definition: a messenger, one sent on a mission, an apostle
Usage: a messenger, envoy, delegate, one commissioned by another to represent him in some way, especially a man sent out by Jesus Christ Himself to preach the Gospel; an apostle.
Paul’s mission was not without relationship to others, however. In fact, right after Jesus met Paul (then called Saul) near Damascus, He sent him into the city and it was there he would be told what he must do. The men who were with Saul heard the voice of Jesus but they could not see Him. Saul, on the other hand had a visitation, was shown a light from heaven that caused him to fall to the ground. Then, Jesus literally blinded Saul for 3 days and the men who were with him escorted him to the city. Can you imagine the awe and wonder of those present with Saul, let alone the fear of the Lord upon them. How do we know this? We have to go the Book of Acts to gain the revelation.
Acts 9:3-9 – 3As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
It’s always a good idea to search the backstory to scripture so as to gain the revelation of the story when it may seem a little vague.
What is interesting is we know that Paul was not alone on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians. He had an entourage of soldiers with him that would help with the resistance of those they would arrest and imprison.
So, not only does Jesus stop Paul on his way to Damascus, but He lets the entourage of men (soldiers) clearly hear who He is and what is to be done. They have to escort Paul into the city where they remained three days—Paul without sight nor taking food or drink.
Three Days Without Sight?
Why do you suppose Jesus chose to blind Saul for three days versus any other method to get his attention? He could have done anything, i.e., withered his hand, called down lightening, etc.
One thought to consider: Knowing three days is representative of Jesus in the tomb for three days and three nights until his resurrection from His death, we can’t help but wonder if this was Jesus’ way to cause the prideful, hateful, and religious Saul to be humbled, die to self, and become born again. Saul had to learn to walk by faith, not walk by sight.
During the time of Saul waiting in Damascus, Saul is given a vision by God of a man named Ananias. He has literally had an instantaneous conversion from no fear of the Lord to a great fear (reverence, respect) of the Lord. Prior to this moment in time, Saul had a religious spirit with no fear of who Jesus is. While Saul is praying in Damascus, Jesus speaks to Ananias, who was a disciple of Christ, and instructs him to go to where Saul is staying and lay hands on him so he can receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 9:15-16 – 15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
So we see right here that Jesus did not have Ananias commission Saul as an apostle, but he sent Ananias to heal him and for baptism by the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands. After Saul receives his sight, he spends days with the other disciples in Damascus. Jesus immediately connects Saul with other brethren. (Learn more about the elementary doctrine on Laying on of Hands.) Ananias, being a little leary, questions Jesus and Jesus tells him: “Go”
Looking Back at Galatians 1:2: Note that Paul lets the Galatia churches know that he was not alone in writing his letter. He had witnesses who were also aware of what was happening within the church, all of whom were equally concerned for their brethren (brothers and sisters in Christ). Let’s go on to verse 6.
Galatians 1:6-10 – 6I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9As 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. 10For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
As mentioned in introduction and overview post and podcast done previously, Paul, has set a firm tone in his letter. He writes out of love and concern though his words are stern and abrasive. It has only been a few years since the churches in Galatia were started and others had come to them preaching another gospel than the true gospel of Christ. Paul is so shocked by this that he reminds them that anyone who perverts the gospel is accursed (Definition: direst woes; a curse). He also makes it very clear that he does not appease man and will not be swayed from the truth of who Christ is and who He is in Christ. Anybody else trying to deceive, distort, or change the gospel, Paul speaks the direst of woes or a curse upon them. The curse does not come from him, however, it comes from Jesus Christ. How do we know this? We have to go back to the book of Matthew.
Jesus dealt with the same thing in Matthew 23 when He rebuked the scribes and Pharisees. He spoke woes over the them. Scribes were those who wrote the laws, wrote the word of God and had changed the word. Pharisees were those who were the leaders, religious leaders, judges etc.
We also have Jesus speaking another accursed statement when he says in Matthew 18:21: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin (err or stumble) it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” God does not take kindly to those who twist His word.
Galatians 1:11-12 – 11But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Note: When one has a personal encounter with Jesus it changes you forever. There can be no denying He is the Messiah, full of love and compassion, and brings with Him a peace and love that surpasses all understanding. Without this encounter and being baptized by the Spirit, it is easy to be swayed from the truth. We must truly pray and cry out for that encounter. Jesus told His disciples they believed (and yes they were blessed) because they saw Him and walked with Him in person, and blessed would be those who did not see Him but believed in Him through hearing about Him. Jesus knew it would be a struggle. Jesus prayed for not only His disciples before He gave His life up on the cross, but He also prayed for those before us, you and I today, and those still to come to the faith.
John 17:20-23 – 20“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
He is talking about you and me today, as well as all those who came before us and all those who will come to Him after us.
John 20:29 – Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
In Galatians 1:11, take note how Paul considers those he is writing to as his brethren. He did not elevate himself higher or lower than them, he considered himself equal. They are also to become ambassadors of Jesus Christ even though their mandate may not be the same as Paul’s. In verse 12, Paul reminds them again that he did not receive nor was he taught the gospel by man, but it came through the revelations of Jesus Christ. We must have the Holy Spirit operating in us, to teach us, so we can test the spirit and learn who Jesus is and have relationship with Him and the Father.
Let’s continue:
In Chapter 1:13:24, Paul feels compelled to lay out his credentials again, if you will, and yet in Yeshua’s infinite wisdom, we can see why Yeshua chose Paul to go to the gentile nations, beginning with Galatia.
Galatians 1:13-24 – 13For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.) 21Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24And they glorified God in me.
Again, we can see why Yeshua chose Paul to go to the gentile nations, kings, and the children of Israel, beginning with Galatia. No one knew Judaism better than he, thereby he could smell a rat miles away. He knew Judaism was not just a form of religion. It was the Jewish way of life, based partly on the Old Testament Torah, but also on the additional traditions of the forefathers, and leaders of the people which include political and military power. It was more about manipulation and control than freedom. Jesus had addressed these matters in the book of Matthew. Not only had Paul, prior to his encounter with Yeshua and his conversion to the faith, once adhered strictly to the law and traditions of his forefathers, he persecuted the church of Yahweh with intent to destroy it from the face of the earth. So here, we have Paul writing to warn the people again about Judaism and any other twisted gospel. Jesus came to set the captives free from this type of bondage. He came to His people first and because few received Him, He then went to the other nations.
We see just in Chapter 1 of Galatians, that Paul is making it clear who he is and who sent him. His apostleship is not a holier than Thou (God) office, but he understands that it is only through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead, and only through the revelations of Christ Jesus, that he received straight from the throne room, his mission from Jesus to set the captives free.
Chapter 1 continues into Chapter 2 as part of the same message in defending the true gospel and even having to address some hypocrisy he witnessed in some other apostles (those of whom Yeshua also had sent with a mandate).
What Do We Take Away From Chapter 1?
The two-fold take away is:
1) Even though Paul was taught by Jesus through the Holy Spirit and ordained by Jesus to go to the Gentile nations, to go before kings, and the house of Israel, everything he learned from Jesus aligned with all the other apostles and disciples teachings of the gospel that they had received from Jesus Christ himself and those who had received and believed through their word. It was a match, not twisted nor perverted, but aligned exactly. The word of God is living and powerful (Hebrew 4:12).
2) We should be wise to how there are many today who have perverted and want to pervert the true gospel of Jesus Christ. They prey on those who are not skilled in the word of righteousness and can easily be swayed by every wind of doctrine. We must always remember how crafty the adversary is. He comes as an angel of light.
Thank you for joining me in this study and I hope you continue the study on Galatians with me. Until next time, be blessed and know that you are loved.
Norma
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