Galatians 4:1-7

Last week we focused on the fact that the Law had a specific purpose within the framework of Salvation History. The Law acted as a warden and a nanny for Israel to carry them as a nation to the next phase of God’s plan, which climaxed in the manifestation of the Promised Seed (Jesus).

God has a redemption plan that has been in place since before the fall of man ever happened (1 Peter 1:18). As humans, we are usually very impatient and hurriedly desire to travel from point A to point B. God on the other hand, is long suffering because it is His desire that no one perish (2 Peter3:9). Therefore, He has taken His time to clearly communicate the plan of Salvation History through His Word and interaction with humanity through creating His own people (1 Peter 2:9). He accomplished this first through the creation of Israel out of Abraham, and He continues today through the church.

Through the illustration of a nanny, tutor, schoolmaster, or pedagogue, Paul explained that God’s people Israel existed in the midst of a time-frame of Salvation History where they had to be guided through this phase of God’s redemption plan.  In the verses we will cover next, he will continue with the thought of an immature child; however, the progression will describe a maturation process resulting in an adult son who is now able to receive his inheritance.

Galatians 4:1-2  1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.

Paul continues the idea from last week by describing Israel as an immature child of God requiring guidance and close supervision by servants who monitor their child’s activities. These servants attend to the daily functions of the child regarding more than just education. Some of these servants described in the original language speak of looking over all aspects of their lives including their financial matters also.

The word child in this passage describes an infant incapable of speech therefore; they are unable to attend to themselves. Theoretically, these children could be heirs to a vast fortune. However, they are currently at a place in their maturity that they cannot access those funds. They cannot enjoy the fruit of their inheritance because it is not the appointed time for them to be trusted with the inheritance. While they are actually heirs, at this point in their life, they have no more freedom than a servant. Using this as a Salvation History illustration, God's plan for humanity was not at the level of maturity during the time-frame of the Law so Israel, under the Law, is seen as a child incapable of making its own decisions. Therefore, the Law was given to act as a guide to carry the plan forward to the appointed time.

Galatians 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

The idea of the word elements- describes first things similar to the concept of elementary school being first before the next levels. Paul is saying that when humanity was under the elemental ways of things, we were all under bondage. Scholars agree that for the Jew Paul was obviously speaking of the Mosaic Law, but for the Gentile they were under the bondage of Pagan religions.

However, Paul has explained before that even the Gentiles had some form of law built within them. In the book of Romans, Paul explains that even for the Gentiles, their conscience speaks to them regarding right from wrong without even knowing the Law of God. Therefore, when they respond properly to what their conscience tells them, then they are also living according to a system of law.

Romans 2:13-15  13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience (1 Tim 4:2)also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.

In this sense, Gentiles then, and a Christian today, could create for themselves a system of legalism in an attempt to live a more “righteous” life rather than submitting to the covenant of grace that Jesus purchased for humanity through the giving of Himself for our sins.

I have had multiple discussions even with Pastors of churches that refuse to pay attention to what passages like this one are saying because they believe that the Law was only for Israel. They do not understand that when man's conscience begins to deal with him about right and wrong, his natural instinct is to establish laws and regulations in order to live right.

Nevertheless, both Jew and Gentile, in this stage of human history, were living under the elemental stages of God’s redemption plan. This resulted in bondage because at this point the liberating power of the Holy Spirit had not been given.

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

 

There is an obvious contrasting of 2 time-frames taking place here. The Holy Spirit is pointing out the difference between elemental and fullness.

Elemental- first or preliminary

Fullness- completion

Humanity was under bondage during these earlier periods of Salvation History, but there was an appointed time for Jesus to come. There was a time of preparation before Jesus could come. Similarly, in our individual lives, there is a time of preparation before we are ready to receive Jesus. As sinners, sin usually has to have had its way in our lives in order for us to be convinced that it is not worth playing with. As Christians, we often have to travel a long journey of trying to live for God in our own strength before frustration convinces us that it is time to really submit.

God had to convince Israel and the Gentile world that it was time for Jesus. In a similar fashion, He continues to convince people through circumstances and His Word that Jesus is what they need.

 

At the time that Jesus was born:

  (1) The Roman Empire had constructed roads that made travel easy.

  (2) The Grecians had contributed a common language for the civilized world.

  (3) The Jews already believed in monotheism (one true God).

In other words, the world was prepared by God for humanity to receive the Messiah. It is important for us to understand that there was no mail service, no telegraph, and no internet. But because of the common language and the well-developed road system, it was an environment that was conducive to the spreading of the Gospel.

Jesus was born of a woman, which is consistent with the Gospels in the sense that He was born of a virgin. Mankind was helpless in the midst of his bondage. Sin was pervasive and the Law and conscience of man was not powerful enough to remove man from its grip.

But God became man during the time-frame of the Law with regards to Salvation History. Remember, the Law was given for transgressions until the seed would come. When the promised seed came, He did what man could not do... He kept the Law, which fulfilled the just requirements of the Father. You and I cannot keep the Law to completion. We need to quit trying to make ourselves righteous in the eyes of God by attempting to live through a set of rules.

Am I saying that it is okay to break the 10 commandments? Absolutely not! It is still a sin to kill, steal, and commit adultery. But righteousness is not found in keeping the Law. Right standing with God is through our position in Christ...the Law keeper. Now, in Him, grace flows, this gives strength to live right. So in Christ, we are not just given power to not commit adultery, but "in Christ", we are given power through grace not to lust in our hearts (Matt 5:27, 28).

…receive the adoption of sons. This terminology in the Greek literally means “Adult son placing”. The idea describes a coming of age where the person can be trusted with his inheritance.

 

This took place because He redeemed us from the Law. We have made mention of this on multiple occasions, but the Greek thought of redeemed is: to be purchased off the slave market through the payment of a ransom. Jesus was born of a woman under the time-frame of the Law. He lived a perfect life, which fulfilled the demands of the Law. Then He offered His sinless life as a ransom for sinful humanity. Because He had no sin, death had no hold on Him, and He resurrected from the dead. Furthermore, He ultimately ascended back to the Father. He is seated in heavenly places where there is no sin or Law. And the scripture says that we are seated in heavenly places in Him: Ephesians 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

 Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

The progression is that there is a maturing from a child to a son. The thought goes back to the idea of a child (infant) or one that is of an age where he cannot manage his affairs. Therefore, he has to be placed under tutors, guardians, and stewards.

Now, humanity has reached the point in Salvation History where things have changed. The changing factor in the equation is directly related to the Spirit of God. One of the points that I attempted to make as we spoke of Salvation History last week had to do with God's methodical approach to restoring His presence back to a place of intimacy with humanity.

Because of the cross and the removal of sin (Hebrews 10:1-20), we become the house of the Holy Spirit. The result is that we are reconnected to the Father through the Spirit. Once we are born again, the Spirit of God cries from our heart Abba father. This results in a level of intimacy that cannot exist between an adult an infant. GRACE IS FOR GROWN- UPS.

Jesus called the Father Abba in the garden:

Mark 14:33-36 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

This term Abba was a name used by Jewish children to address their fathers. It was not a name used by the Jewish people in prayer because it described a level of familiarity and intimacy. To the Jewish mind, it would have been sacrilege to address God on such familiar terms. However, the reason they felt this way is because during their time-frame in Salvation History, the Holy Spirit did not live continuously on the inside of man (Ezekiel 36:25-27; Jeremiah 21:31; John 14:17). But now through faith in Jesus' sacrifice, the heart of man becomes the home of the Holy Spirit. And the Spirit of God within us cries Abba Father. He is letting us know we are home.

I do not know what kind of distress you are facing in your life right now. In the Mark passage we read, Jesus was facing the biggest trial of His life. His closest friends that He had poured everything into had fallen asleep when He needed them the most. It is an amazing thing how so often when we go through the greatest trials of our Christian lives, it seems as though we are all alone. But the truth is that we are not alone. We have access to Abba Father. The Holy Spirit is dwelling in you if you are a Christian. If that is you right now and you feel as though you are being overwhelmed by sorrow, grief or pain, let the Spirit of God on the inside cry out "Abba Father!"

Galatians 4:7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

All this time, the Judaizers are trying to convince the Galatian Christians that if they want to inherit the promises given to Abraham then they will have to come under the covenant that God made with Israel. But Paul is explaining that the Old Covenant was an inferior covenant that was brought in after the promise was given to Abraham. Furthermore, the purpose of that covenant was to carry humanity to a certain point in Salvation History where the Promised Seed would arrive.

The result of the Promised Seed and His sacrifice is a better covenant based on better promises (Hebrews 8:6). Once again in the New Covenant, the result is intimacy with God on a level that the OT Jew did not enjoy because the Holy Spirit was unable to indwell him on a persistent basis secondary to the fact that the old sacrificial system was unable to actually remove the debt of sin (Hebrews 10:4).

Now that the plan of God has "come of age" there is greater intimacy. As Paul explains, in the New Covenant, God views us as sons and heirs rather than infants under bondage to the power of sin or the Law. Now, in Christ, the Holy Spirit desires to guide us through this life. The idea should not be," Well I am a grown up now. Okay God thanks for the help. Thanks for telling me I do not need the tutors, stewards and guardians anymore. I will take it from here."

Instead, we have the wonderful privilege of intimate access to the presence of God. The Holy Spirit wants to walk with us and talk with us. He wants to give us counsel in all of our affairs. Unfortunately, along with freedom oftentimes comes a learning curve. Grace is for grown-ups. And many times when Christians attempt to live according to grace, they do not always want to hear what the Spirit of God is saying. Many times when the Spirit says something we do not want to hear, we ignore His voice. The problem with is that it is disobedience and sin, which results in a "hearing problem."

Have you ever seen a child get corrected and act as though he did not hear what the parent said? This is a similar concept. Except it is more like the child that has grown up and moved out that you have tried to speak wisdom into their lives, but they ignore your counsel. You cannot force them…they are an adult now. To some extent, you have to let them go and learn the process.

It is the same with grace. There is a process of learning how to live for God as a "grown up". In order for it to work, the believers must listen intently to hear his voice and when He speaks, we must obey.

What do you need direction about in your life right now? Have you invited God into the midst of those circumstances or have you not really asked His opinion for fear that He may tell you something contrary to what you want?

 

Galatians 3:19-29

Galatians 3:19 19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

The scriptures proclaim that God created His own special people Israel through one man named Abraham. Ultimately, the purpose of this nation was to bring forth the Messiah (anointed) one who would save the world from their sin.

We learned in the last passage we studied that the promise was given to Abraham's seed (1- Jesus) not seeds (many- Israel). We have also pointed out that through the process of time Israel became very arrogant about their relationship with God. It is true that they were His chosen people. However, they became very self-centered in their view of themselves. It was always God's intention to save whosoever will take a drink of the water of life (John 7:37-39). 

In other words, God has always had a progressive plan that would eventually include the salvation of the entirety of the human race. We must be careful that we do not become short sighted and self-righteous as Israel did. Religion blinds the spiritual eyes and man has a way of somehow believing that he or his denomination is right and everyone else is wrong. 

Furthermore, we have a tendency to notice when others are struggling in the faith and judge them unworthy because they are not where we are. We must be reminded that the journey of Christianity is a lifelong process that does not take place overnight. Once a person is saved and exposed to the truth of the Gospel, a process takes place where their "old man" dies daily in Christ, and their "new man" begins to look more like Jesus everyday through access to the power of the Holy Spirit. But remember what I said, "This journey is a process." It does not happen overnight. 

In a similar fashion, God's redemption plan has been a steady, methodical process of revelation. Thus far in Galatians, Paul has been seemingly deriding or bashing the Law of God. But it is important for us to realize that the Law of God is not the enemy of man- sin is. The Law had a purpose. What Paul is trying to explain at this point is that the Law's purpose for man has passed because grace has come through Jesus.

Now we have covered this on multiple occasions, but we must be ever vigilant to remember that it is possible for the modern day Christian to submit themselves under the "government" of law, which will frustrate rather than give access to the grace of God in their lives. Also, mentioned numerous times is the idea that grace is not just forgiveness from God; instead, grace is power from God purchased by Jesus on the cross. Therefore, if the Christian submits himself under law…trying to live for God according to rules and regulations, he will frustrate the power of God in his life, which will result in failure rather than victory. 

Let's get back to the idea that just as the individual Christian journey is a process so is the salvation history of God. I love the terminology "Salvation History". It reminds me that God is at work not only in my life and your life but that He has been at work in the lives of millions of people since the beginning of time. It reminds me that He has been at work in the midst of human history. Better yet, it reminds me that He holds human history in his hands. He is the author and we are the characters in the book. The plot is that man has made choices that have introduced poison into his midst resulting in a slow insidious death, but God has a plan, which will prevail because it is His narrative.

While it may seem as though Paul has been harsh on the Law, he will now remind us that the Law served its purpose in the midst of "Salvation History". If you will notice, there are two words in this verse that point to this concept... It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; the two words I speak of are: (added and till). The Law was added to act as a throttle against sin until the time when the seed (Jesus) would be revealed. In addition, it is important to understand that these words describe a temporary answer.

I introduced an idea last week that God has always had a remnant in the land. He has had a people throughout human history to which He has revealed Himself. At the point in salvation history that He created His own special nation of people, He gave them the Law (Deuteronomy 6:1-9). The Law provided them with instruction on what was expected from them in order for them to represent Him by living a life of separation so that the heathen nations around them would have a witness before their eyes that there was another way to live their lives. In this fashion, the Law was added for a period of time to clearly delineate what God expected of His people. Because there were people then and even now who truly want to live for God, the adding of the Law gave them a guideline for their behavior. However, once the manifestation of the seed (Jesus) was fulfilled, the purpose of the Law was complete.

A quick review of Salvation History reveals that there was a time of innocence where man was without sin and enjoyed intimate fellowship with God. Then the cataclysmic change of the fall occurred, which infected humanity with a disease called sin. This malady separated God's prize creation from Himself. 

The process of restoration began with a purging of wickedness from the earth, which started with the flood and was followed with a promise given to Abraham. Part of the promise was that God would make a nation out of Abraham, which would ultimately produce a seed that would bless the entirety of the world (Genesis 12). 

God created the nation Israel as He promised and through Israel He brought forth Jesus. Through The ministry of Jesus a new time-frame in Salvation History was birthed. The New Covenant...the church age has been in existence for 2000 years and we are rapidly moving towards the next pages in salvation history, which will be the rapture of the church.

Following the Rapture of the church will be the second coming of Jesus where evil will be defeated, and Satan will be cast into the bottomless pit for 1000 years. This will usher in the next phase of Salvation History known as the millennial reign of Christ. During this time-frame, Jesus will literally rule and reign on the earth and His throne will be in Jerusalem.

 

Galatians 3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

The idea here is that oftentimes when there is negotiation between parties there is a mediator who acts as a go between for the two parties. In the old Covenant, the Law was mediated by Moses and throughout Israel's history God utilized angels as messengers to communicate His plans and purpose. In the New Covenant, God became man, and Jesus mediates between man and God (2 Timothy 2:5). 

Ultimately, in OT times there were mediators, which negotiated and there were sacrifices used to ratify or make binding those covenants. So I want us to consider the concept that Jesus, the eternal Son and Word who spoke the world into existence, became man and was the representative of heaven and earth between God and man. Ultimately, He made right what Adam made wrong, and then He offered His perfect life as a perfect sacrifice, which completed and ratified (made binding) the New Covenant. What is interesting is that in this covenant, man only has one part. His part is to believe. Certainly, obedience is one of the ways that man exhibits faith in God, but man's part is faith in God's covenant. If we travel back to the time in the OT when God sealed this covenant with Abraham, we find that Abraham could not have had an active role in the promise other than faith because he was asleep under a tree while God fulfilled the obligations of the covenant (Genesis 15:5-21; Hebrews 6:13-14).

Galatians 3:21-22 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

These two verses represent a common technique that Paul uses when he writes. He anticipates an argument that his enemies will make about his teaching and then he gives the answer to it. By doing this, he shuts their mouth before they open it. So the argument he expects the Judaizers to make is that Paul is claiming that God is confused and contradicting Himself. Instead, Paul's point is that the Law is merely a piece in the overall plan of Salvation History. The Law could not give righteousness to sinful man. It could communicate what righteousness looked like. However, in order for man to truly be made righteous, there would have to be a nature change. In the New Covenant, when we place our faith in Jesus, the "old man" we were dies in Christ and a "new man" is resurrected. Through faith in Jesus Christ and what He did for us on the cross, God is able to impart His righteousness to us, which results in a nature change.

So the Law served its purpose in its place in salvation history. However, its purpose was not to produce true righteousness in the lives of God's people. Some things that it did do: it throttled sin, it revealed sin, and it revealed God's holiness. In addition, Paul is about to explain that it acted as a warden and a nanny or disciplinarian until grace came, but ultimately, it was intended to reveal to Israel their need for Jesus because they could not keep the Law. 

Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

A comparison in the Greek of the words "22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin" in verse 22 to the words "shut up" in this verse, reveal the idea of imprisonment or being under the direction of a warden. Interestingly, in both cases, it is the same exact Greek word it was just translated into English two different ways by the translators. So the idea here is that sin imprisoned man and before grace came through Christ, the Law served as a warden, specifically, for Israel to carry humanity to the next phase of Salvation History. A modern day illustration would be that our society has laws and the citizens are expected to follow those laws. The laws provide an understanding of what is right and wrong. However, many times people choose to break the law and there are repercussions resulting in imprisonment where a person is placed under the control of a warden. In a similar since, God had requirements for His people Israel. There were certain behaviors that the other nations were partaking in that disgusted Him, and He was unwilling to allow His people to live their lives that way. The Law clearly communicated His desire for their behavior and when they went their own way, they were disciplined. In this sense, they were imprisoned or corralled until the promise came.

Galatians 3:24-25 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

In addition to the Law acting as a warden, it also acted as a schoolmaster for Israel. It is important to take notice of the pronouns "we" used in this verse and the previous verse. In these verses Paul is referring to the Jews. Don’t misunderstand what I am saying everything that Paul is saying applies to the Galatians and us for that matter, but the point is that the Judaizers are trying to get the Galatians to live for God in a way that was never intended for Gentiles. Furthermore, at this point, it is now outdated for the Jews. In the next verses, he will use the pronoun "you" describing the Galatians. Once again, the Law’s purpose was in relation to His nation Israel during a specific time in Salvation History.

Let’s finish the analogy of a schoolmaster. The word in the Greek is pedagogue. There is no exact word in the English to describe this word. The idea is somewhat similar to our version of a nanny. 

Pedagogues were servant/ slaves whose purpose was to closely monitor the child throughout their maturation (development). They were responsible to correct, discipline and attend to the matters of their education. While they did not actually educate, they were overseers of that process. 

In this analogy, the idea is that God had created His own special people to whom He revealed Himself. The giving of the Law was intended to act as a temporary guardian or nanny to protect and preserve His people from the ravages of sin until the coming of the promised seed.

Galatians 3:26-27 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Here we see Paul referring to the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. By using the pronoun ye (you), he is referring to the Gentile Galatians. Through the fulfillment of the New Covenant, God has restored relationship with all humanity in Christ. Ultimately, sin had separated God from the presence of His prize creation. Now, through our new birth in Christ, we have been clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. We have put Him on- He is our cloak of righteousness.

Galatians 3:28-29 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The result of our new birth in Christ, the putting on of His righteousness, and our right standing with God has produced equality amongst man. In other words, in God's eyes we are all equal because of the cross. In Christ, we are all His people. The product of a healthy vertical relationship with God results in a proper horizontal relationship with man. There is an entire discipline of philosophy that is devoted to the concept of ethics.

Ethics- that branch of philosophy that deals with the rightness and wrongness of human behavior. It deals with the goodness and badness of motives and the results of such actions.

However, true ethics cannot take place without conversion and submission to the Gospel. Mankind can put on an act and oftentimes deceive society...politicians do it all the time because humanity left to themselves incapable of exhibiting pure ethics towards their fellow man. While the Law communicated God’s ethical standards, it did not give man the strength he needed to accomplish God’s standards.

However, conversion in Christ writes the Law of God on the heart of the believer (Jeremiah 31:31; Ezekiel 36:25-27). How is the Law written on our hearts? The Law is written on our hearts because the author of the Law, the Spirit of God, has come to live on the inside of the believer. For the believer, there is an opportunity for true ethical behavior to take place because the Holy Spirit through the Word discerns and reveals to us the motives of our hearts.

Hebrews 4:12 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Galatians 3:10-19

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is  guilty of all.

Deuteronomy 27:26 “Cursed is the man who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out. Then all the people shall say, Amen!” 

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The essence of what God is communicating through Paul is that there is a curse connected to the Law. The Law demands perfection. Because man is imperfect, he is incapable of keeping God's Law completely. Even if you do almost everything right, under the Law, you are guilty if you fail in one point. Almost is not good enough according to the Law.

Now, we cannot exhaust the purposes of the Law of God in this study. However, we should clarify some things. The Law communicates God's character to humanity. Humanity communicates through language and God communicates to us through His Word. He gave the Law to His people Israel so that they would know what was expected of them from Him. And as we see in the Deuteronomy passage, there was no accepting failure.

If you do a thorough study of the Old Testament, you will become aware of the fact that there was a system called "Levitical Law." Within the Levitical Law, there were sacrifices offered to pay the penalty for the people's failure regarding the keeping of the whole Law.

The sacrifices were a continual reminder of the severity of sin. The continual shedding of blood and killing of innocent animals to assuage the people's guilt should have been a humbling reminder that man left to himself could not please God because he could not live true to the character and demands of God according to His Law.

The Law required that individuals offer sacrifices for their individual sins (Leviticus chapters 1-5). In addition, the Law demanded an annual process of sacrifice to pay for the whole nation's sins (Leviticus ch. 16).

Once per year on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would first offer sacrifice for his own sin, then he would bring the blood of the sacrifice on the other side of the veil and sprinkle it before and upon the Mercy Seat, which would allow the sins of Israel to be forgiven for the next year. I want us to look more closely at two concepts regarding this process.

First, if you look at a picture of the Ark of the Covenant, you will notice the cherubim on top of the Mercy Seat. The cherubim represent the presence and holiness of God. If you pay close attention to the positioning of the cherubim, you will see that they are facing one another, but more importantly, they are facing down with their eyes peering upon the Mercy Seat. Think about this… these angels who represent the holiness of God are peering down. What was contained within the Mercy Seat? The 10 commandments, which was the Law of God was inside the Ark of the Covenant. In essence you could say that theses angels were looking upon the broken Law of God because the people were incapable of keeping the Law to perfection.

Leviticus 16:15-16  15 Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: 16 And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

The two concepts I want to focus upon regarding the curse of the broken Law are these:

  (1) Before the blood was applied, the top of the Ark was a place of judgement because the presence of God looked towards the Law and saw that it was broken. But Paul explains that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Mercy Seat.

Romans 3:25 "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;..."

The Mercy Seat was the cover over the Ark of the Covenant. It was located within the Holy of Holies. If you read the end of Exodus and this passage in Leviticus, you learn that the presence of God would meet with Moses in this spot between the cherubim.

It is important to mention that this procedure only took place once per year. If you go back and read Leviticus 16, you will learn that only the High Priest was allowed to go behind the veil, and he was only allowed to go once per year.  Ultimately, the point I want to make is that access to the presence of God was very limited at this point in salvation history.

The next important aspect of this passage is related to the sprinkling of the blood upon the Mercy Seat and the meaning of the word propitiation. Once the blood was applied, the angels no longer looked upon the broken Law; instead, they looked upon the blood of the sacrifice.

The word propitiation- was used in ancient Greek times to describe the process of assuaging the wrath of the gods. Obviously, Paul did not believe in multiple gods He was evoking a different idea that God's wrath was against humanity because of sin, but through faith in the blood of Jesus that wrath is assuaged, appeased, or done away with.

But there is another idea of great importance occurring with this word propitiation. The word for propitiation in the Greek is hilasterion. Interestingly, this is the word used by the translators of the Septuagint for the word "Mercy Seat".

The Septuagint was a Greek translation of the OT scriptures. The Septuagint was used during the times of Paul and the other disciples. After the Hellenization of the civilized world (the spreading of Grecian culture and language during and after Alexander the Great's conquests), many of the Jewish people began through assimilation to speak the Greek language.  Therefore a translation of the Hebrew OT was produced in Greek so that the Jews that were reading and speaking Greek would have access to the OT scriptures. The important point is, in the Greek, the word hilasterion that Paul used in Romans where it was translated into English as propitiation is the same word that was used in the Septuagint in Leviticus 16 where it speaks of the Mercy Seat.

Let's take a moment to bring all this information together. Before Jesus, mankind was guilty. Like the Mercy Seat, when God looked upon us, He saw the broken Law. However, once we responded to the Gospel through faith, the place of judgment became the place of mercy because God no longer sees the broken Law instead He sees the blood of Jesus.

  (2) The second thought I want to address has to do with man's ability to enter the presence of God. As we will see in a couple of verses, Paul will contrast the curse from the promise of Abraham. Ultimately, the promise of Abraham results in justification, which allows the Holy Spirit's presence to live in the heart of man rather than in the Holy of Holies where there was limited access.

The ability of the curse to be removed occurred when the veil was ripped. I say the ability to be removed because until each person chooses Jesus for himself through faith, the curse remains. Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Because of Jesus, you are justified (innocent). Because you are justified, you have access to the presence of God. You are no longer under the curse. You have become a partaker of the promise given to Abraham.

Galatians 3:11,12 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Galatians 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

This verse is used three different times in the NT. It is used here, in Romans 1:17, and in Hebrews 10:38. However, the New Testament writers are quoting its use from the book of Habakkuk where it was first written by God in the OT: Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him:but the just shall live by his faith.

With this verse Paul is informing the Galatians and all who will follow Jesus that the way to live one's life for God is not through the performing of works or living according to law or rules; instead, it has always been God's plan to justify the guilty, and in turn, they live out their lives through faith.

We have to make an important point clear before we move forward. Too often, NT Christians view this passage as not pertaining to them because it refers to the Law which speaks of the OT.

However, it is important for us to understand that there are two ways that God will judge man. He will judge man "In Christ" or He will judge man under the Law. The interesting thing is that a Christian can be born again, but willingly subject himself under the government of law. In other words, law and grace both exist today you could consider these entities as governments or the authorities under which people submit themselves.

So you could have a person who is born again, but does not live their daily lives under the government of grace. Instead, they live according to a system of law. They judge their position with God based upon their performance rather than the performance of Jesus. The result is that they are constantly striving to do more because they never understand the concept of resting in the finished work of Christ. When a Christian understands what it means to rest in Christ, he no longer views his standing with God based on his failures or accomplishments. Instead, he views his standing with God based on the accomplishments of Christ.

This Christian is submitting himself under the government of grace. He understands that he is just...righteous...innocent in the eyes of God not because of what he has or will ever do, but because of what Jesus did. The result of living under this government is that there is a never ending supply of grace; whereas, under the government of law, there is a lack of grace because it is being frustrated as the believer attempts to live for God through law rather than faith.

It was this phrase in the Romans 1:17 verse that transformed Martin Luther's life. I'm not talking about Martin Luther King. I'm talking about Martin Luther the protestant reformer. He lived during the 1500's. He was sent to the University of Erfurt in Germany at the age of 13 where he earned baccalaureate and Master's degrees in the shortest amount of time allowed by the university. He excelled at debating and became known as the “philosopher.”

His life was transformed one day as he was traveling on foot to Erfurt in the midst of a thunderstorm. As he was fighting the storm, a bolt of lightning struck near his feet. He cried out to St. Anne to save him and said that he would devote his life to being a monk.

He strove to be the greatest monk he could be. He willingly lived a life of asceticism by fasting, sleeping in bone chilling cold, and brutal flagellation. But he continued under a cloud of guilt. His Instructors had taught him that the meaning of the verse in Romans 1:17 was that God was the righteous and He was the punisher of all sinners.

A quote that he made during this time in his life was: "When it is touched by the passing of inundation of the eternal, the soul feels and drinks nothing but eternal punishment.”

But something continued to draw him back to the verse in Romans 1:17 and ultimately he came to the conclusion that no one but the righteous could live by faith. Ultimately, he received  a revelation that the righteous live by a gift from God, which is given based on faith. This was his resulting quote after that revelation:

"Here I felt as though I had been entirely born again and had entered paradise itself through the gates that had been flung open."

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Once again there was a curse connected to the Law because man was incapable of keeping the Law. But the scripture explains that Jesus did not transgress the Law. Nevertheless, he was hung on the "tree".

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: 23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

In the OT, when someone would commit a sin worthy of death, they would often be stoned then hung on the tree over night for all to see. These people were considered cursed in the eyes of God. But the innocent Jesus became a curse in our place so that we could be redeemed from the curse of the Law.

The word redeemed -means to be bought back through a ransom. So we were purchased back through the blood of Jesus. This word was used in the Greek to describe being bought off the slave market. The idea is that humanity was enslaved by sin and Jesus, through the shedding of his blood, purchased us off the slave market of sin. Through Him becoming a curse, we were redeemed from the curse of the Law.

Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Here Paul is contrasting the promise of Abraham from the curse of the Law. The curse left man guilty and separated from the presence of God. But the promise of Abraham has positioned man to have the Spirit of God live on the inside of him.

Galatians 3:15-18  15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

The word "confirmeth" in this passage is similar to the word ratified in our legislative system. Once a law is ratified, it becomes binding.

The idea of what Paul is saying is that the promise was "ratified" or confirmed when God spoke it to Abraham, which was 430 years before the Law was given. The answer is no the Law does not dis-annul (to make of no effect) the promise that was given before to Abraham.

Paul further makes his point by saying that the promise was to the "seed" singular (Christ) not to "seeds" plural (nation) of Israel.

 

Galatians 3:1-9

Galatians 3:1 "1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?"

There are 3 main parts to this passage that when studied they begin to offer insight into the text.

(1) Foolish- the idea of this word in the Greek is that it is unintelligent. Furthermore, it has the idea of operating only from the senses. So Paul is telling the Galatians that their response to the message of the Judaizers is unintelligent and based upon emotional sensuality.

(2) Bewitched- the idea behind this word is literally that someone has cast a spell upon them. The context of this word according to one Greek scholar is that it was often used in association with the "evil eye" as in the occult or witchcraft. I have discussed on numerous occasions the concept of Satan, fallen angels and demon spirits constantly attempting to pervert the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether or not the Judaizers knew they were working for the devil or not does not matter, they were perverting the Gospel. And the result was that it was putting the Galatians under a "spell."

I wish that I could emphasize this point enough, but when the believer is brought under false teaching, which changes the object of that person's faith, the result is that God's grace is frustrated and strength is given to the sin nature. When "the sin" revives in the life of the believer, it gives the forces of evil an open door to wreak havoc in those people's lives.

It is important to remember the "evil eye" because the next concept we are about to discuss out of this verse is associated with the concept of vision also.

(3) ...before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? Paul said before your eyes, the cross was evidently set forth. The concept that is being translated from the Greek comes from the word prographe. This word has the idea of public visualization as in a public document, placard, or even a painting that has been exposed for all to see.

So let's follow the progression of what Paul has said. He said to the Galatians that they were fools because they have responded to another gospel in an unintelligent manner. Paul preached the truth of the Gospel to them, which had been given to him by revelation through Jesus Himself. We have already discussed the idea of revelation before, but it describes something that was previously hidden- being uncovered. So Paul's message allowed the Galatians to see the truth with spiritual eyes, but the Judaizers have come and the Galatians are being moved by their natural senses including their vision.

But in reality, without knowing it, they have been brought under the spell of the "evil eye". Through their acceptance of a false gospel, the forces of evil have been given permission to bring confusion in their midst. Paul brings their minds and spiritual eyes back to the public "painting" that was produced for them when the Gospel was preached to them by him. The result of that painting was that Jesus was crucified. Now, get a hold of that child of God! The Judaizers are saying, "you must be circumcised." And Paul is saying, "Do you see this painting of the cross? If you want to talk about the removal and destruction of flesh, look at this. If circumcision fixes the problem then what is this?"

And the question we must ask ourselves is, "How will the rules of a preacher or the rules I make for myself accomplish something greater than what Jesus accomplished for me on the cross?" It's the same concept child of God. We are told to make ourselves right by what we do or do not do and Jesus is standing there with His nail scarred hands asking, “If you could do it...why would I have done this?" And I am not talking about salvation or eternal life right now. Most of us understand that only Jesus is the gate to eternal life. I am talking about righteous living. We bring ourselves under a spell of what looks like holiness when we make rules for righteous living. Jesus made us righteous! Stay connected to the vine through faith in Him and what He accomplished on the cross and experience supernatural grace. Grace gives power for holy living today.

Galatians 3:2-5  2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Remember, we are talking about holy living. Paul has brought all this to their attention. And now he will focus specifically on the Law and flesh versus the Spirit of God. The way he does this is that he asks the Galatians (4) specific questions:

(1) ...Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 

So how did you receive the Spirit of God? When He made your heart His home, was it because you followed the Law and got circumcised or was it because you believed the word of truth that was preached?

 To the modern Christian...what was it that caused the Spirit to make His home in your heart? Was it because you read enough Bible one day? You may have been reading the Bible and learned that Jesus was the answer for your sin and put your faith in that truth, which invited the Holy Spirit in, but that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about countless Christians attempting to please God through what they do. Reading enough, praying enough, going to church enough... Thinking if they will only do more, they will be right with God and then their guilt will leave.

 No! Paul said you’re not guilty because you believed the right thing! Your faith in Jesus allows you to be accepted by the Father. Now, with proper faith, go do proper works.

(2)... having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Ultimately, the question asked is, " You received the Spirit of God through faith and now you are going to be made perfect (accomplished / finished) in the flesh? So through the hands, rules, or traditions of men you are going to be produced into what God is looking for?"

(3) Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

You have received much criticism and experienced much tribulation over your decision to follow Jesus. And now you are going to turn your faith towards something else? If you do, all your suffering for Jesus was meaningless and pointless.

(4) 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

What do you suppose moves the hand of God? Do you suppose it is what you do? Or is it because of your response to the truth?

 In other words, Paul is saying, “You have experienced the moving of the Spirit in your lives...how did that happen? Is it because you believed the Gospel and now you are in covenant relationship with God. Or is it because you got circumcised and did all the right stuff?”

I will probably make some Christian mad when I say this, but it is a pet peeve of mine. Every time someone announces a gathering of Christians for some function...whether it is a conference, skit, or even a concert, everyone is instructed to fast and pray so that souls will be saved. And then after the event we count all the cards and we say, "1000 or 100 got saved." Is that what we really think? Where are they on Sunday? Did they go to church? Are they really saved?

Please do not misunderstand me. I believe that all these things we do: concerts, skits, gatherings can sow seed [if the Gospel is presented!]. And it is certainly possible that they did get saved, but just because they filled out a card does not mean they were saved. I do believe that if they filled out a card then a seed was at least planted.

Also, I believe in fasting and prayer, but as Paul was asking, I am also asking, “Do we believe that the Holy Spirit moves and operates in our midst because we prayed and fasted as though we did enough for Him to show up? Do we honestly believe that He does not want to show up and profoundly affect the lives of sinners? So if He wants to show up what makes Him show up? Well let's look at what Paul said:

5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Paul is telling us that the Spirit moves through the hearing of faith. Two last points to make about this verse then I will stop:

   (1) It is faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified (which is the covenant God offered by the way) that gives us access to the Spirit of God. I don't care how much you fast, pray, go to church, quote scripture, read your Bible, or witness...those things we do are very important for our understanding God, but they are not what moves the Spirit of God.

   (2) Secondly, He shows up when the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His cross is preached. You preach the truth of the Gospel, and the Holy Spirit will show up whether you fasted or not.

Trust me God wants people saved more than we do. Too often, in the church, we are trying to work up a lather to get the Spirit moving. Then the preacher preaches some works based message or some prosperity driven garbage and there is nothing but emotionalism. Why...you ask? It's because the Gospel of Jesus Crist and Him crucified wasn't preached. Preach the Gospel preacher! Move your little self out of the way! And watch God show up!

Galatians 3:6-9 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

So Paul has made it clear that it is not Law, but reception of the Gospel that causes the Holy Spirit to do His part...whatever part you need Him to do at that moment. Now, he uses "faithful Abraham as an example of the faithful ones that God is looking for. We do not have time to properly teach this concept here, but let me say this, “If you think Abraham was faithful in the sense that he never did anything wrong...you would be wrong."

Abraham lacked faith in many circumstances. He lied about his wife Sarai on more than one occasion to save his own life. He went to foreign lands that God did not tell him to go in the midst of a famine. Through a work of the (flesh) he produced a son with another woman that eventually resulted in Islam. No, Abraham had his share of mishaps.

So what made Abraham faithful in the eyes of God? What made Abraham faithful in the eyes of God is the same thing that made Abraham righteous in the eyes of God. It was Abraham's faith that made him righteous in the eyes of God.

The next question that begs to be asked is what did Abraham believe God about that resulted in his righteousness? People try to have faith about a lot of different things. They even try to have faith about a lot of Godly things. In other words, I am probably talking to an audience that contains multiple parents... Christian parents to be specific. And most of you believe God (exhibiting faith in God) that your children will grow up and be a Christian. By the way I commend you for your faith in God for your child, but does that faith for that result make you righteous in the eyes of God?

The answer is...absolutely not! Only faith in one thing can produce righteousness. The only object of faith that can produce righteousness in the life of the believer is faith in the fact that God became flesh and dwelled with us, lived a perfect life keeping the Law of God, which made right what Adam had done wrong (Romans 5). Then He offered that perfect life as a sacrifice to God to pay the penalty for our sin and guilt. Because He was without sin, the Father accepted the sacrifice, and now, when we place our faith in His payment for our sin, an exchange takes place. He took our guilt and shame by putting it on Himself. And in return, He gave us His righteousness.

So the next question that should be asked if we are thinkers is...how could Abraham, who lived 2000 years before Jesus have placed his faith in Jesus to be made righteous in the eyes of God?

God gave a promise to Abraham in : Genesis 12:3  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Where God says in the all families will be blessed, He was speaking of the fact that through Abraham's offspring would one day come the Messiah (Savior of the world- Jesus) Paul will explain this in greater detail later in Galatians 3. But for the next few minutes, I want to take you on a journey through the scriptures that will explain how God revealed to Abraham 2000 years before Jesus was born that Jesus was God's answer to bless all the families of the earth with salvation from their sin.

First reconsider this verse in the passage we are reviewing now: 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

So we are told that God preached the Gospel to Abraham through the scriptures in advance. This means that at some point God explained that righteousness would come by faith. However, that still does not prove that Abraham's faith was in Jesus.

The next place I would like to take you to is in the book of John: John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

So Jesus tells us that Abraham was able to see his day and he rejoiced over it. The word for rejoice describes great joy and excitement. So far we have been told that the Gospel about justification or (righteousness) was preached to Abraham before Jesus was ever born...2000 years before to be exact. Furthermore, at some point the message became so clear that it was as though Abraham could see it. As a matter of fact, Jesus told us he did. Not only did God preach the message to him, but I believe God also gave Abraham an illustration of the Gospel message. I have thought about this for some time and I am convinced that the illustration came from the story in Genesis 22. Before you go and read what I am talking about, I want you to consider a few concepts from that chapter:

 (1) Abraham was instructed to take his only son up on a mountain top and sacrifice him. In reality Abraham had 2 sons, but God only recognized one. But more importantly this statement God gave Abraham reminds me of John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 (2) Isaac [the lad] Abraham's son carried wood up a mountain just like Jesus did.

 (3) Isaac, like Jesus, walked up that mountain as a willing sacrifice.

 (4) Many scholars believe that Mt. Moriah (where Abraham brought Isaac to be sacrificed) is the same mountain that Calvary's hill was located on, which is the hill that Jesus was crucified on.

 (5) Lastly, God provided a sacrifice at the last minute before Abraham killed Isaac. I cannot prove it but I believe that it was right there that God revealed to Abraham that he did not have to sacrifice his son because God would one day sacrifice His own Son, who would also be the seed of Abraham.

 

Galatians 2:1-16

Galatians 2:1-5 1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was[not] compelled to be circumcised: 4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.


 
We have discussed on more than one occasion the idea of literary genre in the scriptures. One of the points that I made was that there are different rules that have to be utilized when studying the epistles versus narrative literature. As we pointed out, narrative literature tells a story. Therefore, in order to properly interpret narrative literature, the context of the story must be understood. Once the context of the story is understood, then the theology that God desires to communicate through the story can be properly understood.
 
What is interesting about this part of the epistle (letter) to the Galatians is that there is a narrative taking place. So we are dealing with a narrative within the epistle. Essentially, Paul is telling the story of how things progressed after his conversion. He explains that he was taught the truth of the Gospel through revelation. He has also explained that he had minimal contact with the original disciples for quite some time after his conversion.
 
In the portion we will cover tonight, he explains that he encountered the same group that is perverting the Gospel and turning the Galatians away from the truth on two previous occasions. The first occasion occurred in Jerusalem when Paul and Barnabas left Antioch and took Titus with them to see the disciples in Jerusalem. The second occurrence took place when these Judaizers came from Jerusalem to Antioch and caused trouble through Peter.
 
As always, in order to properly understand a narrative, you have to be familiar with the characters of the story. In addition, you also have to be aware to some extent about geography and time frames. Lastly, which should be obvious, the more overall context you have regarding the circumstances, the more you can understand what the story is communicating.
 
In this first portion of scripture, the important characters are Titus and the Judaizers. Essentially, you could say that the dispute or problem is centered upon this group and this individual Titus. Paul and Barnabas had been in Antioch doing ministry:
 

 

 Acts 11:22-26Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
 
 

So Paul and Barnabas are first hand seeing the Gentiles being converted to Jesus. And there are problems with some people in Jerusalem still going around saying that people must be circumcised and obey the Law in order to be saved:
 

Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
 

Now, it is important for us to understand that any modern day preacher in his right mind would not teach something this ridiculous. However, let me say that the same spirit that was behind this lie then is alive and well and operating in the church today. It is called the spirit of legalism. Legalism states that something must be added to the work of Jesus. Some would say, "I would never fall prey to that because I know that you cannot do anything to be saved." But what they do not realize is that many preachers will present a message that teaches faith in Jesus for salvation, but a system of works in order to live for Him.
 
The same way we received him is the same way that we are to continue daily walking in Him:

Colossians 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
 
With all this in mind, many scholars believe that Paul purposefully brought Titus to Jerusalem as a
"test case" to see how the disciples would respond. In other words, Paul wanted to see if they really did believe that man is saved based on faith in Jesus Christ and Him Crucified alone.
 
We don't have time to cover it in detail here, but as you read the book of Acts, you will discover that Paul had another protege named Timothy whom he did encourage to be circumcised. At first glance, it would seem that Paul was double- minded. However, his reasons for reacting differently we're based on the context. In the case of Timothy, the purpose was to give them access to areas where only Jews could go in order to preach the Gospel. Timothy was half Jew, and he was willing to be circumcised for the sake of spreading the Gospel. Paul said, "I have become all things to all men so that I might win some...to the Jew, I became a Jew." However, in the case of Titus, the pressure was coming from false brothers who were stating that without circumcision there was no salvation.
 

This is Paul's description of that encounter:
 

4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
 
Paul explains that they were Pseudo adelphos = false brethren. They called themselves Christians, but they believed in a different Gospel. Essentially, you could say they were working for Satan whether they knew it or not because they were attempting to pervert the Gospel.
 
Privily= that they came in with stealth for the purpose to steal.
 
What did they want to steal? They wanted to steal Paul, Titus, and Peter's liberty. Paul was constantly accused by the opposition of giving his followers license to sin. In other words, the message that he preached was the finished work of Christ for both salvation and righteous living. His point was that the Law was fulfilled in Christ and God's righteousness is no longer found written on tablets of stone. Instead, God's righteousness is a person named Jesus who has come to live in the hearts of those who have believed. The result is that the righteous one now dwells within us giving us strength to accomplish what He desires and behave the way that He requires. The false brethren and others felt as though if the people did not have the boundaries of the Law before them, then they would live lives of sin. However, the prophet promised that in the New Covenant, the Law would be written upon the hearts of the people (Jeremiah 31:31). In other words, in the New Covenant, the author of the Law would reveal God's will internally. And the grace of the New Covenant would give the believer strength to accomplish God's will.
 
But false doctrine wants to steal that liberty through Law and bring the believer under bondage. Paul's response is that they did not subject themselves even an hour to these people. The idea of subjection means that they undoubtedly wanted Paul to come under their authority. But Paul's response is that it did not happen...not even for a moment. Paul stood strong in the face of opposition because he knew what was at stake. What was at stake? The truth of the precious Gospel that Jesus bled and died to purchase for the church.
 

 

Galatians 2:6-10 6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat [disciples], (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me[added nothing to my message]:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
 

 

6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me.
 

As we know, the Judaizers were belittling Paul to the Galatians. And based on what Paul is stating here it seems that the Judaizers might have been overly impressed with and possibly putting the Apostles on a pedestal above everyone else. Paul's response is that God is not a respecter of persons. The Judaizers can say what they want, but when Paul sat with the apostles and explained the message he preached, the apostles did not add to it. Instead, they endorsed Paul and Barnabas' ministry [giving of the right hand].
 
Furthermore, it was obvious to the disciples that the same God that was working in Peter ministering to the Jews was the same God that was working in Paul as he ministered to the Gentiles.
 
In this passage, the words translated in English:
effectually and mighty are the same word in the Greek. The word is:  Energeo- to be active: to be mighty.
 

 

Galatians 2:11-16 11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled [to act hypocritically] likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation [hypocrisy]. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
 
 

Essentially, what happened in the story is that Peter came from Jerusalem to Antioch to visit the work that Paul and Barnabas were doing. While there, he enjoyed fellowship with the Gentile brothers. But when certain men came from James [the church in Jerusalem] Peter acted like a hypocrite by separating himself from the Gentiles and staying with the Jewish brothers. His act of hypocrisy was so blatant that it began to cause a ripple effect in the church there. Even Barnabas was caught up in the mess.
 
The situation was causing so much damage that Paul rebuked Peter openly in front of everyone. It is important for us to realize that sometimes public correction is required. Peter's actions were done in public therefore the correction needed to be done in public.
 

It is important that we understand that in Christ we are all level at the foot of the cross. In other words, God does not look at skin color, finances, nationality, or anything else regarding a person's right standing with Him. Unfortunately, people do. There are rich people in churches across America that do not want to associate with poor people. And there are white people in churches across America that do not want to associate with people of color. And there are people in churches across the globe that do not want to associate with others because of differences in national origin.
 
But if you are in Christ, you are not black or white! You are not rich or poor! You are not American or European! You are a new creation in Christ and Jesus shed His blood to ransom your soul. Anyone in the church who would treat you any other way may not even be born again. And if they are truly born again, I can assure you that God is not pleased with their behavior.
 
If you look at the second part of verse 14 "...if you being a Jew..." through the end of 16, the idea of what Paul is saying is that we, as Jews were given the Law [Word] of God. We are a nation that He created for His own specific purpose to reveal Himself to the world. But as God's people, living under the Law, we were incapable of being pleasing or righteous in the eyes of God. We have learned firsthand that righteousness comes through faith in the Christ...not through the working of the Law.

 

Galatians 1:1-10

Gal 1:1,2  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:

 

We spoke last week about the Apostle Paul’s miraculous conversion and the changing of his name from Saul to Paul. We should all be reminded on a daily basis that God wants to change us so drastically in Christ that it would make sense to change our names also because we are not the same person we once were.  And so Paul not only greets the Galatian church with his new name, which may not mean much to us but to him it represents his conversion. However, the Apostle Paul was not only converted, he was also called.

 

Paul, an apostle, … the word apostle describes Paul’s calling. Actually, the official definition of the word apostle from the Greek apostolos - simply means- a messenger, ambassador: one that is sent.

What is interesting is that immediately Paul begins to explain to the Galatian churches that his calling has not been given by man. Instead, God Himself has called the Apostle to represent Him as an ambassador/ messenger of the Gospel message. It is important for us to understand that it is God, through the Holy Spirit, who calls the man into ministry. Unfortunately, religious man is always attempting to operate in the place of God. Please do not misunderstand me there are many times when people think they are called, however, they are not spiritually mature to be in a position of leadership. On the other hand, religious man oftentimes creates an ecclesiastical ladder upon which others have to climb in order to prove their calling.

Obviously, there is some of this taking place in the situation Paul is encountering with the Galatians. We spoke last week about the Judaizers. It appears from this statement and others that Paul will make in the future that these Judaizers were not only bringing in false doctrine, but they were also attempting to belittle or make Paul look less than capable in the eyes of the Galatian Christians.

Paul’s response is that his calling is (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;). Paul is making it clear that he was called by God Himself. Man operates in the natural, and he is limited by his physical surroundings. However, God is supernatural… He is the God of resurrection. He makes dead things live. And this is who called Paul into ministry. Let it be known that God calls the man. However, spiritual men that are not concerned about building their own ministry will recognize the anointing placed by God upon an individual’s life.

Maybe I am speaking to you right now. There is a good possibility that someone within the sound of my voice feels as though some leader somewhere has looked them over. God knows how to find a place for your gift. But if you allow the enemy to put bitterness in your heart when people pass you by, then you will become ineffective for God. A root of bitterness is one of the fastest ways for the enemy to sideline a Christian who is willing to work for God. Listen Christian…we must ask ourselves this question, “Who are we planning to please or serve?” In other words, a leader may not be willing to put you in the spot of ministry that you think you should be in. However, real ministry takes place outside the walls of the church. No leader can prevent you from serving people on the outside. No one can prevent you from feeding the hungry, clothing the naked or finding shelter for the homeless. And if you as a Christian cannot find a Pastor to get behind you and encourage you in that endeavor then do it on your own. You don’t need someone’s permission to serve people in the public and tell them about Jesus. In addition, it doesn’t mean that you should not still find a church where the truth of the Gospel is being preached and be faithful to the gathering of the body. If the Pastor is preaching the Gospel, but does not see what you are doing for the Kingdom as something worth supporting, that is between him and God. Do you honestly believe that Pastor’s do not miss God? Please, they are humans. They miss God just like the rest of us. The question is whether or not we will allow rejection to breed bitterness in us. Often, God allows these trials to work things out in us. Sometimes people have a submission problem. And most of us have control issues. When we learn how to submit to God, it is easy to submit to man. Furthermore, God knows how to put us in the right spot. As we move forward, we will see that Paul will continue to defend his position of authority that was given to him by God.

Gal 1:3-5  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.

 

In every epistle Paul writes, he places in the greeting this statement Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus, or something similar. It is easy to have the tendency to just look over this statement as though he is just greeting the church. But this statement contains within it a very important truth for the Christian. Grace produces peace! All people- on every inch of this globe are looking for peace. However, they continue to look in all the wrong places. True peace is a by- product of a proper relationship with the creator of the universe.

It is important that we understand what Grace really means. I have shared this many times with the bible study group, but this truth had a profound effect on my life, therefore, I am compelled to continue to define the word time and again.

Grace= a divine influence on the heart with its reflection in the life.

What does that mean? It means that grace is an inside job. In other words, the definition says that it is divine…meaning it is from God.

Influence= The capacity or power of people or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions of others.

Essentially, what the definition of grace is telling us is that God is the powerful source that is working on the inside of a person causing a change to take place. Furthermore, the result is that the change is manifested outwardly through the person. Oftentimes, when people struggle with certain issues, mankind wants to clean them up from the outside. We will run them through a program and get them to work some steps. However, God operates through grace. Where does the grace come from? Yes, we have already established that it comes from God, but more specifically, grace is dispensed into the life of the believer through the person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the hands that God has chosen to use upon this earth. He is the comforter who has been called alongside to help (John 16:7). This is an important concept to consider because grace is essential to victory in the life of the believer. Where are you right now in your life? What are you going through? Whatever it is…grace is sufficient.

      So grace is supplied through the person of the Holy Spirit, but it was purchased through the shed blood of Jesus. This truth is seen in the next portion of this verse: Who gave himself for our sins. Without a connection to God, there is no access to grace. Yet, Jesus, through His sacrifice on Calvary, purchased a position of right standing for us with God. And in the midst of this position, grace is freely flowing:

 

       Rom 5:1,2  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

 

The concept of justification, at least according to the gospel, means that a person has been declared legally innocent based off their faith in what God has provided in payment for man's guilt.
 

Romans 4:2-3  2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
 

When we get to Galatians chapter 3, we will explain, in detail the object of Abraham’s faith. But for now I want to give you this thought: the scripture says that Abraham was accounted as righteous because of faith. Unfortunately, many have been taught that the faith of Abraham was based on his belief that God would be able to produce a son for him through Sarah. While his offspring was certainly part of the plan that was not what Abraham ultimately believed God about. Furthermore, some have even gone as far as to say that Abraham believed God regarding wealth. However, it is important for us to understand that faith in only one thing produces righteousness. The plan I speak of is faith in God's plan of salvation, which is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I want to leave you with this thought because we must move on...Abraham's faith was in Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And faith in that put righteousness in his heavenly account.
 
So what we have been talking about is the supply of grace, which is given to a believer through the person of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, what makes a person an eligible recipient of this grace is the fact that they have placed their faith in the sacrifice of Jesus as the proper payment for their guilt and sin. Once a person does this, they are now in a new position. In this new position, they are in right standing with God.  Unfortunately, too many Christians think they have received their “get out of Hell free card” and then sit on the pew in church...never growing or maturing in Christ. There is kingdom business to be taken care of today!
 

 

Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God our Father:
 
 

It is the will of the Father that you and I are delivered from this present evil world and this is only done through the sacrifice of Jesus. Look at the verse: this is the exact reason that He gave Himself for our sins so that we could be delivered from this present evil age.
 
Now I want to make something clear...there is a future day coming when the human race will be delivered and set free from evil for all eternity. However, that day has not arrived yet. And this passage is speaking about where we are presently.
 
In the Greek the word for world is actually
aion  where we get our word eon. This word actually describes an age or time-frame. We are in the midst of a specific time-frame of God's salvation history. This time-frame is known as the church age. We have discussed this in detail throughout the bible study, but it is important that I remind you. During the church age, the kingdoms of darkness and light are co- existing. The scriptures are clear that Satan is the God of this world. Adam, through the fall, relinquished his position of leadership and dominion to the evil one. Ultimately, God is in control, however, in this age He has chosen to accomplish His will through a mortal creation by empowering them with grace through His Spirit. However, without the cross, there is no access. And without the cross, there is no grace. And without grace, there is no victory.
 
What I need you to understand is that within this "present evil age" humanity is enslaved under the power of evil, but not you child of God. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has come to liberate you from the bondage of evil. God's grace is power to change the inside so drastically and radically that the outside will line up with the inside if we let grace have its way. Yes, humanity is enslaved under this present age of evil, but the Gospel is the true Emancipation Proclamation. It proclaims that Jesus has purchased your freedom over the power of sin.
 
With this in mind, where there is grace, there is peace. However, for the believer who does not understand what the proper object of faith is, or the unbeliever who is completely disconnected from God, there is no peace. There is only turmoil and frustration around every corner. Now, let me be clear. I am not saying that there are no trials in the life of the believer who understands how to access God's grace through proper faith. Instead, I am saying there is peace in the midst of those circumstances because God's grace is flowing.
 

 

Galatians 1:6  I marvel [disturbing surprise]that ye are so soon removed [to transfer or change sides]from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
 

 

This verse explains the whole problem that the Galatians were experiencing. Sadly, this verse explains the whole problem that most Christians today are experiencing. What is the problem...you ask?
 
The problem is a different gospel. Satan has always attempted to corrupt the liberating Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has not changed his tactics. He twisted God's words in the garden; he was twisting the Gospel through the mouths of the Judaizers; and he continues to contort and confuse the scriptures through preachers today.
 
Sometimes the twisting is obvious. They deny his virgin birth. They deny His Deity [Jehovah’s witnesses]. They say an angel told them "this or that [Mormonism, Islam]." They say, “It wasn't the real Jesus that died on the cross but another one [Islam].” They say, ”You need to follow another prophet and Jesus” [Mormonism]. They say don't be so close minded.
 
But then there are the ones that are more slithery. They fly under the radar. They do not deny anything obvious but they let people come into their church and talk about non- biblical meditation. They teach "contemplative prayer", which is a form of meditation. They avoid words like blood, sin, and cross because they are offensive. They teach a system of works that says, “When you struggle this is what you need to do." But the thing they tell their people to do is not, “Keep trusting in the finished work of Christ for that alone is what gives access to the grace of God." Instead, they preach another gospel.
 

 

Galatians 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
 
 

In verse 7, there are 3 very important words that stick out:
 
(1) Another- in the Greek, this word literally means [different]
 
So Paul is saying that he is amazed or bewildered. In other words he is full of surprise at how quickly the Galatians have embraced false doctrine.
 
(2) Trouble- to agitate or move the inward parts to and fro causing internal commotion and lack of peace.
 
(3) Pervert- corrupt
 
The Galatians have found themselves in the midst of a mess. They have put their faith in a perverted gospel and the result is not peace, but internal commotion. Where are you right now in your walk with God? Have you experienced multiple years of frustration as a Christian? Has your walk not been lining up with the Word of God? Is there internal commotion and a tossing to and fro? If you answer yes to any of these questions, there is a good possibility that you have been taught to place your faith in the wrong gospel.
 

 

Galatians 1:8-9 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.
 

 

Listen, Paul warned the Galatians and every human being willing to listen from that point forward that even if an angel was to preach gospel, if it is different than this gospel, it is a perverted gospel and that both angels and men that would do such a thing need to be accursed.
 
Sadly, we have seen men refuse to listen to Paul. As we said in the intro, Galatians was written in AD 48-50. Mohammed did not receive his "revelation" from "Gabriel" until approximately AD 600.
 
Joseph Smith received his "revelation" about Mormonism in the 1800's from the "Angel Maroni". Both men refused to listen to the words of Paul.
 

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
 
Fallen angels are in the business of preaching a perverted gospel. Furthermore, they have ministers that work with them in this endeavor.
 

2 Corinthians 11:3-4 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 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.
 
Listen carefully. Paul warned that Satan operates with subtlety. This word means with trickery and craft. In other words, what you see is not reality. In this passage, Paul tells us that there are people preaching messages that have the name of Jesus in them. And there is a spirit associated with their "gospel". But it is not the same Jesus that he preached, and it is not the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, it is a completely different gospel.

Gal 1:10  For do I now persuade [win over] men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.


Obviously, the Apostle Paul was being accused by the Judaizers of attempting to win men over by preaching what they thought was an “easy” message. Remember, the whole thrust of the Judaizers was that circumcision must be added to faith in Christ. In their minds, the people were being given an easy way out. Paul’s question explains that his purpose is not to please men, but God.

Religion did not like it then, and religion does not like it now that Jesus did it all. You mean to tell me that I don’t have to go be circumcised to be saved?...absolutely not! Do I have to go to church three times per week in order to be right with God? Absolutely not…however, for the person who is truly saved there will be a desire to fellowship within the body of Christ. You mean I don’t have to pray four times per day to go to Heaven? No! Jesus died on the cross and paid the penalty for your sin. Your faith in that makes you innocent in the eyes of God and that alone makes you eligible for Heaven. However, true believers will be moved upon by the Holy Spirit and encouraged to pray.

Who are you attempting to please child of God? Submit yourself to God by learning and obeying the true Gospel, and He will direct your steps in the right direction.

Galatians 1: 11-24

Galatians 1:11-12 “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."
 

This beginning statement that Paul makes here is a continuation of him defending himself as a true Apostle sent by God. Over the next several verses, he will explain the process of how the truth was revealed to him by the Lord Himself.
 
The normal process of understanding the Christian faith is that we are taught the truth by a teacher or through the study of the scriptures. We must understand that at the time Paul is writing this letter, there is no NT scripture. There is only OT scripture. Don't misunderstand there were some circulating letters. And word of mouth was spreading rapidly across the land, but there was no compiled NT as we have today.
 
Paul is letting us know that he did not receive his understanding about the Gospel from the other disciples. He did not sit under their "school of ministry." As a matter of fact, some of the language going forward sounds as though Paul may have been suggesting that some of the leaders in the church could have learned some things from him if they had been willing to listen.
 
The main point to be made is that Paul received his understanding as a direct revelation given to him from Jesus. The rabbi Paul was taught by the Rabboni (Jesus) that Mary met in the garden after Jesus' resurrection (John 20:16). Now, let me make this clear. This does not happen anymore. In other words, if someone says they have a revelation from Jesus and that it should be followed as Gospel so add it to the book, run the other way. I am not saying that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, does not give revelation because that is exactly what He does. But He gives revelation about what is already written. And if you are given "revelation" that does not line up with what is written, you better reject what you have received.
 
Before we move forward, we should consider the meaning of the word
revelation. The word in the Greek is Apokalupsis. This is the same word that is used in the book of revelation, which is where the book receives its name:
 

 Revelation 1:1 The Revelation (Apokalupsis)  of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
 
Revelation-to take off the cover or disclose. To uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up.
 

 

Galatians 1:13-14 “13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews 'religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.”


 There are two main thoughts that must be considered from these two verses, and both thoughts hinge on the word: conversation.
 
Conversation- this is an old English word that has changed in its meaning since the KJV was first translated. The definition of this word is: manner of life, conduct, behavior. In other words, how one handles their business.
 
In this passage, there are 2 main thoughts connected to Paul's pre- conversion way of handling his business:
  (1) he was a persecutor & waster [destroyer] of the church.
 
  (2) he surpassed all of his contemporaries regarding zeal, knowledge, and devotion to the traditions of Judaism.

I believe this last statement by Paul should be understood in this light: the Judaizers are coming behind Paul’s work in the region of Galatia, and they are attempting to convince the believers there that what Paul has taught them is wrong. Furthermore, they are attempting to discredit him. But what Paul is saying is, “I have already been where they are. The things they are trying to convince you will help your Christian walk are the very things that I was zealous for before my conversion. The Gospel has been fulfilled in Jesus. The traditions have been fulfilled in Jesus. There is no need to add to Jesus.”
 

 

Galatians 1:15-17 “15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.”
 
 

Paul has already explained that his calling was from God and not from man. Now, he explains in more detail that he was called from the womb to be a preacher, and destined to have the revelation of the New Covenant so that others could be informed of the good news.
 
This is a common thread that runs through the scriptures...the fact that God calls his servant from the womb. He explained to Jeremiah that:
 

Jeremiah 1:5
5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

 
But this is what Paul says of us:
 

Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 
All of us should be reminded that God has preordained works for us to walk in. He has a plan for our lives. There are people He has called us to reach and if we don't who will?
 
When God first called Paul, he did not go to the other disciples in order to learn what God wanted to teach him.
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. We have to be careful with this thought because Paul tells us in Ephesians that God has given the church certain gifts to help with the process of its edification. Amongst those gifts are teachers / pastors (Ephesians 4:11-12).
 
On the other hand, there is a valuable truth to be found here. Paul spent time in the Arabian Wilderness, and many scholars would agree that his purpose was not to evangelize at this point. Instead, his purpose was to get alone with God and hear His voice clearly. It is imperative for us as Christians to get alone in the presence of God- even more specifically with His Word...to learn what He is saying. You cannot afford to take what the preacher says at face value. You must study to show yourself approved.

It is my opinion and the opinion of other men of God that I highly respect that during Paul’s time in Arabia, he endured his Romans 7 experience. Maybe some of you have recently started coming to the Bible Study. If that is the case, I would encourage you to get on the website and listen to the teachings on Romans…specifically, Romans 7. But let me give you a glimpse into this thought. In Romans 7, Paul tells us about a struggle that took place previously in his Christian life. He is writing in retrospect. During this time, Paul was attempting to add the Law to his new relationship with Jesus. It is important that we understand that this is a common problem for all humans because all of our lives we are judged based on our performance. The whole Jewish system of Law was based upon doing things in order to be obedient to God. With this in mind, it is understandable why Paul would be drawn to adding the Law to his faith the idea would be, “Well if Jesus’ sacrifice made me right with God. Then I can be even more pleasing to God if I still don’t eat pork or teach people to be circumcised.”

But Paul explains that the result of adding Law to faith was that sin regained power in his life:  Rom 7:9  For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

 

       For the sake of time, you have to trust me that Paul is speaking of after he was already a Christian. And when he attempted to live according to the Law, it gave sin power in his life. It is important that you understand that the power you receive over sin is given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit based off of what Jesus did at the cross. The Holy Spirit does not move in our midst to give us victory because we have fasted enough, prayed enough, gone to church enough, quoted scripture enough, read our Bible enough… While all these things are certainly of God, when we attempt to make ourselves more righteous before God with what we do rather than what Jesus has already done then we frustrate God’s grace in our lives because His plan is to give grace based off what Jesus purchased at the cross. When God’s grace is frustrated in the life of the believer, then that believer is left to live for God in his own strength and will power. The results of this are disastrous to say the least. Our will power, no matter how sincere or consecrated we desire to be before God, is no match for the evil one. The result for Paul was: Rom 7:19  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do….Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

 

Galatians 1:18-20 “18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.”
 
 

In this part of the passage, Paul solidifies the point that he received the Gospel he preached as revelation from Jesus and was not taught like others by men. He specifically points out the fact that he spent some time with Peter and had contact with James, but these encounters were very brief in the overall scheme of things. Once again, many scholars believe that the time frame from Paul's conversion to Barnabas coming to get him (Acts 11:25) could have been as long as 10 years.
 

 

Galatians 1:21-24 “21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me.”
 
 

Paul was preaching the Gospel independent of what the church of Jerusalem was up to. As we will see going forward, his intent was not to cause division in the church. Instead, his intent was to stay true to God's will for his life. God was revealing the freedom of the Gospel to him in a way that no one else could see. To be honest, this had to be done away from Jerusalem because the church in Jerusalem was still holding onto a lot of the old system.
 
Jesus was the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world...not just Israel. The truth of the Gospel was relevant for everyone...not just the circumcised. God was revealing these things to Paul, and Paul was preaching this message everywhere God sent him. Specifically, he was reaching the areas in the regions of Syria and Cilicia before he began his missionary journeys.
 
We close with the idea that the churches in Southern Israel would not have been able to recognize Paul if he would have walked up into their midst. Yet, his reputation preceded him. In other words, they may not have known him, but they knew of him. And what they knew was that at one time in his life, he was a persecutor and killer of Christians. And now he was a preacher of the Gospel. The report of his conversion brought glory to God. And it is important for you and I to understand that the report of our conversion is just as important today. While it may not affect the entirety of the civilized world like Paul's did, it will affect the area where we live. It will affect our family. It will affect our co- workers, and it will affect the people of our past who once knew us the way we were before.