Hello Friends!
Welcome
to an all-new Encouraging Concepts Bible study series focused on the powerful
book written by the Apostle Paul to the Galatians as we consider the ONE and ONLY saving “salvation” message of “Jesus Christ” as
decreed throughout this excellent Epistle – “Only ONE Gospel!”
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: The book of Galatians derives its title pros
Galatas from the region in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) where the
individual “churches of Galatia” addressed
were located. Incidentally, this particular penmanship is the only one of
Paul’s epistles addressed to “churches”
located in more than one city such as “Derbe,”
“Iconium,” “Lystra”
and “Antioch” abroad:
Now
concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches
of Galatia, even so do ye – 1
Corinthians 16:1
The
Apostle Paul specifically wrote Galatians
to counter judaizing “false teachers”
who were undermining the “revealed”
New Testament “mystery” of “justification by faith” alone. Ignoring
the express decree of the “Jerusalem
Council” itself, these menacing men spread their DANGEROUS tangled “teaching”
that “Gentiles” must first
become Jewish proselytes by submitting themselves to ALL of the “Mosaic
law” of God before they could become “Christians” per se’:
And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles
and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the
Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. Forasmuch as we have heard, that
certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your
souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no
such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to
send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have
hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent
therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth – Acts 15:23-27
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: Shocked by the Galatians glaring openness to this “damning heresy” from the pit of hell
itself, Paul wrote this “letter”
to DEFEND God’s “justification
by faith” through WARNING
these “churches” of the dire CONSEQUENCES of abandoning this
essential FOUNDATION of Truth. In
fact, Galatians is the ONLY epistle Paul wrote that does NOT contain a comforting COMMENDATION for its readers. This
obvious OMISSION reflects how URGENTLY Paul felt about confronting
the defection
and defending
the essential
critical “Christian” doctrine – JUSTIFICATION by FAITH alone!
An Outline of Galatians:
- Paul’s Chastening (1:1-9)
- Paul’s Credentials (1:10 - 2:10)
- Paul’s Confidence (2:11-21)
- Experience of the Galatians (3:1-5)
- Abraham’s Blessing (3:6-9)
- Curse of the Law (3:10-14)
- Promise of the Covenant (3:15-18)
- Purpose of the Law (3:19-29)
- Sonship of Believers (4:1-7)
- Fatality of Ritualism (4:8-20)
- Illustration from Scripture (4:21-31)
- Freedom from Ritual (5:1-6)
- Freedom from Legalism (5:7-12)
- Freedom in the Holy Spirit (5:13-26)
- Freedom from Spiritual Bondage (6:1-10)
- Conclusion (6:11-18)
CONTEXTUAL COMMENTS: The book of Galatians provides valuable historical
intriguing insight and Biblical background
concerning Paul’s spiritual training as an “Apostle
of Jesus Christ” of which is foundational to
his Apostolic Authority unto the “Gentile” saints:
- Paul’s 3-year stay in Nabatean Arabia [Acts does not mention] (1:17 & 18)
- Paul’s 15-day visit with Peter [after his stay in Arabia] (1:18 & 19)
- Paul’s trip to the Jerusalem Council (2:1-10)
- Paul’s confrontation of Peter (2:11-21)
This
week we will begin our reading of verses 1-9
in chapter 1 as we consider the Biblical
FACT of – No
OTHER Gospel!
1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by
man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2 And all the brethren
which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and
from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who
gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil
world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever
and ever. Amen. 6 I
marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of
Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which
is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the
gospel of Christ. 8 But
though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that
which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say
I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have
received, let him be accursed – Galatians 1:1-9
Galatians:
Only ONE Gospel! (Chapter 1:1-9)
Brother
Paul writes here with an undying DEVOTION
to “Jesus Christ” coupled with a DIRECT emphasis upon “sound doctrine” that does NOT simply focus on theoretical
head “knowledge” but rather
upon a godly lifestyle and “behavior”
of uncompromising authentic “obedience” to the – Word
of God!
A Brazenly BRIEF
Intro!
Paul’s
introduction in this letter is very brief. WHY?
Because he's in a big hurry to get to the SERIOUS
issue of the frightful “false doctrine”
at hand! And here in the first few opening verses, there are THREE
poignant points that Paul establishes:
AUTHORITY!
MESSAGE!
MOTIVE!
FIRST:
Paul’s AUTHORITY as an “apostle” of “Jesus
Christ” Himself:
Paul, an apostle, (not of men,
neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from
the dead;) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of
Galatia: – Galatians 1:1-2
WHY
does Paul have to ALWAYS state in his “letters” that he's an “apostle" of “Jesus
Christ” to begin with? Because the “apostles”
were the “men” who spoke with AUTHORITY on behalf of “Jesus Christ” and actually taught,
worked
and operated
in His MIGHTY Name. And to be
an AUTHENTIC verified “apostle"
of “Jesus Christ” Himself, a “man” had to have physically “seen” the “resurrected
Christ” and had to have been personally “chosen”
by the “resurrected Christ” as an “ordained” personal “witness”
for Him:
Wherefore of these men which have
companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up
from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection – Acts 1:
21-22
And that he was seen of Cephas,
then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at
once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen
asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of
all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time – 1
Corinthians 15:5-8
POIGNANT POINT: Notice that while referring to himself
as an “apostle" by God, Paul
refers to the others with him as “brethren”
in tow and is clearly distinguishing himself from
them. WHY? Because there is a
tremendous DIFFERENCE between the “brethren” and the “apostles”
in kind – A very IMPORTANT distinction!
Indeed,
Paul was NOT chosen “of men” nor “by
man” but “by Jesus Christ”
and “God the Father” in Heaven. Therefore, the
“apostle” Paul was indeed GOD’S main “man”
and DIVINELY sent to the “churches of Galatia” abroad – APPOINTED and SET
APART by HIM!
SECOND:
Paul’s MESSAGE as an “apostle” of “Jesus
Christ” Himself:
Grace be to you and peace from
God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins,
that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of
God and our Father: To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen – Galatians
1:3-4
Wow! Paul
managed to include the ENTIRE
practical “peace” producing “gospel” of positional “Grace” filled FRUIT
from our “Lord Jesus Christ” and “God the Father” found throughout this “present” poignant passage – MASTER of the MESSAGE!
QUIZZING QUESTION: WHY
would the “apostle” Paul INSPIRED by the “Holy
Spirit” take the time to COMMEND
the Corinthian congregation of “believers” who were involved in EVERY kind of “sinful”
immorality imaginable, but not COMMEND
the Galatian
congregation?
BIBLICAL ANSWER: Because the Corinthian
error was concerning the “Christian”
life WALK of “obedience”
unto our “Lord Jesus Christ” Himself.
Conversely, the Galatian error here
was concerning the WAY of eternal “salvation” unto our “Lord
Jesus Christ” Himself – DISCERN the DIFFERENCE?
We
can be a little more tolerant of an ERROR within the “Christian”
life WALK of “obedience”
by addressing
and applying
the NECESSARY course corrections.
However, we MUST be totally INTOLERANT of an ERROR
concerning the “doctrine” of “salvation” unto the Lord. WHY? Because that “false
doctrine” indeed DAMNS
men. Therefore, Paul does NOT
address the Galatians here with ANY commendation. And if “someone” ever TRODDENS
upon the “gospel of grace” it MUST be decisively dealt with – IMMEDIATELY!
THIRD:
Paul’s MOTIVE as an “apostle” of “Jesus
Christ” Himself:
To whom be glory forever and
ever. Amen – Galatians 1:5
God’s
“salvation” is PREACHED
and GRANTED by HIM
in the “will” of the “Father” and the “Son”
by the “Spirit” of “God” Himself. And together the TRINITY announced our “salvation” story – ANYONE who COMES to GOD in FAITH alone!
Only ONE Gospel!
God
has ALWAYS felt the SAME
way about “false prophets” and they
have NEVER been tolerated by Him,
either in the Old Testament or New Testament! Incidentally, Satan operates PRIMARILY in the area of “false doctrine” and “Jesus
Christ” Himself makes it quite CLEAR
from WHERE all “lies”
originate:
Ye are of your
father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer
from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in
him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the
father of it – John 8:44
And
in the book of Acts we encounter one
of “Satan's” fickle “false
prophets” named “Elymas” of whom was a
self-professed “sorcerer” for hire:
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation)
withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who
also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. And
said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou
enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of
the Lord? – Acts 13:8-10
That's
a classic verse defining “false prophets”
and here in Paul’s example we find FOUR definitions of a “false teacher” at work…
ONE:
They are “full of all subtilty
and all mischief!”
TWO:
They are a “child of the devil!”
THREE:
They are an “enemy of all
righteousness!”
FOUR: They willingly “pervert the right ways of the Lord!”
The
“devil’s” deceit is that which is NOT supposed to be OBVIOUS
on the surface. WHY?
Because he's a “deceiver” in session.
Therefore, whether a “false prophet”
from “Satan” comes into the form
of “Christianity” or the “occult”
world, it all comes out the same – Satan
has NEVER changed!
Many
of these “false prophets” had followed
Paul into “Galatia” when he wrote this
letter and they had attempted to UNDERMINE
the “saints” confidence in Paul. They had told
them that Paul was NOT WORTHY of his claim
to “apostleship” and thus should NOT LISTEN to him. WHY?
Because they claimed Paul was a half-baked, self-made “apostle”
of sorts. As always, the primary target of all “false
prophets” is to attack the “doctrine”
of “salvation” and therefore Paul makes this
next statement in sheer astonishment:
I marvel that ye are so soon
removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the
gospel of Christ – Galatians 1:6-7
Turn
on your radio or television to the typical quasi “Christian”
network today and you will INEVITABLY
hear a plethora of guys (or gals) speaking glibly in the “theology”
department. They will often talk about God’s “grace”
unto “salvation” in Him. Then,
inevitably comes a looming lurch of “law”
via a “perverted” requirements of DO’S and DON’TS
of which represents the DECEPTION
spawned by the main-stream CULTS
of today. These folks are scripturally CORRECT
often eight out of ten times. However, it is the
other two times that – DAMN souls!
For I know this, that after my
departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also
from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away
the disciples after themselves – Acts 20:29-30
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark
them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have
learned; and avoid them – Romans
16:17
For if he that cometh preacheth
another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit,
which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye
might well bear with him! – 2 Corinthians 11:4
Now the Spirit speaketh
expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving
heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils – 1 Timothy
4:1
Knowing this first of all that in
the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own
lusts – 2 Peter 3:3
But you,
beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our
Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last
time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual
persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit – Jude 17-19
Today’s
“false prophets” may err in MANY areas. However, they PRIMARILY attack the “doctrine” of “salvation”
God’s way. WHY? To keep – Lost SOULS out of GOD’S kingdom!
Like
any EFFECTIVE and MATURE
spiritual father, Paul had WARNED
these “believers” of God multiple
times concerning “false teachers”
in their midst. WHY?
Because Paul KNEW the strategy of “Satan” is ALWAYS
the same. As soon as the Lord “Jesus Christ”
does a POWERFUL work, “Satan” comes in and attempts to UNDO it! And this is usually accomplished
through such “false teachers” by their FATAL and “false
doctrine” façade. And when such a “one”
comes “preaching” any “other gospel” message, “let him be accursed” to hell…
But though we, or an angel from
heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto
you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man
preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed – Galatians 1:8-9
In
utilizing two of the most UNLIKELY
hypothetical sources of “another gospel”
dispensed, Paul declares that if “we”
or even an “angel from heaven” should
show up on your doorstep “preaching”
a promise of “any other” way TO God then what has ALREADY
been “received” from God, you MUST readily REJECT
them. WHY? Because they are “accursed” and “Anathema” by God –
Devoted to DESTRUCTION!
If any man love
not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha – 1 Corinthians 16:22
These
“Judaizers” had loosely attached
themselves to “Christianity” supposedly by OUTWARD appearance. Thus, they CLAIMED to “believe”
in “Jesus Christ” as the “Messiah”
as such. However, they ALSO
purported that the OLNY way one could REALLY become a “Christian”
was to become a “Jewish” follower FIRST! Then once one became a “Christian” he was still REQUIRED to KEEP
all of the “Mosaic Law” in order to STAY rightly “saved”
by God! And according to this “fallen”
fallacy, true “salvation” was thus achieved
BY WORKS getting “saved”
and BY WORKS staying “saved”
so to speak! In fact, “Jesus Christ”
was simply an incidental after-thought unto these “liars” of “Law”
keeping. WHY? Because in this SYSTEM of rank RELIGIOUS
rhetoric, you are “saved by faith” in God PLUS
your own “works” to boot – Damning Doctrine!
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: Throughout the history of God's dealings
with “man,” there have been certain
things which God has “accursed” to destruction. In
fact, one Old Testament illustration of
this point can be found in the book of Joshua
chapters 6 and 7 of which
will convey to us God's “cursing”
intentions:
And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew
with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city. And
the city shall be accursed,
even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord:
only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house,
because she hid the messengers that we sent. And ye, in any wise keep
yourselves from the accursed
thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a
curse, and trouble it – Joshua 6:16-18
But the children
of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the
son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was
kindled against the children of Israel – Joshua 7:1
God
has indeed SET certain things “apart” for His JUDGEMENT
and He uses the term "anathema"
throughout His wonderful “word”
to reference such “accursed” things – DEVOTED to DESTRUCTION!
In closing:
When
these “false prophets” arrived by “stealth” behind Paul and “taught” all these “false
doctrines” in the vile PROMOTION
of lifeless LEGALISM to his “fellowship” of “churches”
of which he had EAGERLY established, it TORE him up! It would be akin to a DILIGENT poignant “pastor”
today going away on a “missionary
journey” and a “certain”
corrupted “someone” comes along and
proceeds to UNDO all of the “sound doctrine” that had been PROPERLY presented to the “congregation” at hand – That's EXACTLY what was HAPPENING in Galatia!
Evidently,
the “Galatians” were VERY
impressed with the so-called spiritual credentials these “false
teachers” flaunted. And these “certain” men probably CLAIMED
to have arrived from the “church”
founded in “Jerusalem” and led by the
Lord Jesus’ younger half-brother “James,”
although he DENIES having ANYTHING to do with these “circumcised” Jewish men:
Forasmuch as we
have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words,
subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to
whom we gave no such commandment – Acts 15:24
And
these “liars” were probably
purporting that they were the OFFICIAL
representatives of the “church”
itself. In fact, they most likely UNDERMINED
Paul by DISCREDITING him as some
fly-by-night phony from “Antioch”
as such. After all… What does Paul know?
Beloved,
Paul was CONCERNED in his “heart” about “false
doctrine” promoting “another gospel”
and he KNEW that it would
indeed be PRESENT in the “church” body. WHY?
Because – It ALWAYS is!
REAL REFLECTIONS: Beloved, may God give US the courage and boldness
to “contend earnestly for the faith”
that was signed, sealed and delivered
some – 2000 years ago…
Beloved,
when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was
needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly
contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints – Jude 3
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!
With
this information as a foundation for your personal studies, please read through verses 1-9 in the first chapter of
the excellent book to the Galatians.
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!
Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"Lighthouse Publications <><
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