The Law and Faith in Christ
Galatians 3:1-9 NLT
^3:1 Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. ² Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. ³ How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? ⁴ Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?
⁵ I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.
⁶ In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” ⁷ The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.
⁸ What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” ⁹ So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.

Examine the scriptures:
Galatians 3:1-9 NLT
The Law and Faith in Christ

^3:1 Oh, foolish Galatians!

Paul tackled this issue head-on.

Galatians 1:6 NLT
⁶ I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News

• The Galatians were being misled by the Judaizers, the Jewish false teachers, who were undermining the central New Testament doctrine of justification by faith with their enticing arguments. Paul tackled this issue head-on.

Galatians 2:21 NLT
²¹ I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

• To embrace a doctrine which declared the death of Christ unnecessary was irrational.

John 3:16 NLT
¹⁶ “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Who has cast an evil spell on you?

This is a rhetorical question.  Paul knew the answer to this question. (The Judaizers, or in reality, Satan)

The Judaizers, the Jewish false teachers, who were undermining the central New Testament doctrine of justification by faith with their enticing arguments.

For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. 

1 Thessalonians 5:10 NLT
¹⁰ Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.

Hebrews 7:25 NLT
²⁵ Therefore he (Jesus) is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

• Paul’s teaching clearly portrayed Christ’s death and explained its significance.

Romans 10:17 NLT
¹⁷ So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

The Galatians had heard and had responded positively to the Gospel.

Now the eyes of the Galatians have been diverted from the cross to the law.

The Galatians were acting foolishly and without excuse.

• The Galatians had heard and had responded positively to the Gospel. Now the eyes of the Galatians have been diverted from the cross to the law.

² Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! 

As Gentiles, they did not even have the Mosaic Law.

Ephesians 1:13-14 NLT
¹³ And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. ¹⁴ The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.

There is nothing in these verses about “obeying the law”. 

You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. 

• The Galatians received the Holy Spirit by faith in Christ, not by obeying the Law of Moses.

³ How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? 

• Using human effort to improve on the work of the Holy Spirit is ludicrous.

⁴ Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?

Experienced so much:

Experiencing all of the blessings of salvation from God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

Or

Acts 14:21-22 NLT
Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch of Syria
²¹ After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, ²² where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.

 ⁵ I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not!

As a Gentile church, they did not even have the Mosaic Law.

It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.

• God give the Galatians the Holy Spirit and worked miracles among them because they believed the message they heard about Christ. 

⁶ In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” 

Even the Old Testament taught justification by faith.

• The Old Testament taught justification by faith.

• God counted Abraham righteous because of his faith before he was circumcised.

Hebrews 11:8-10 NLT
⁸ It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. ⁹ And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. ¹⁰ Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. 

⁷ The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.

Romans 4:11, 16 NLT
¹¹ Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith. 

¹⁶ So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.

• The real children of Abraham are those who put their faith in God.

The children of Abraham are members of God’s family.

⁸ What’s more, the Scriptures (God’s Word-God’s plan) looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” 

• Justification of uncircumcised Gentles was always a part of God’s plan.

⁹ So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith. 

• All who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.

Made right in the sight of God. 

Jews and Gentiles.

 

 

Paul Confronts Peter (continued)

Galatians 2:14-21 NLT
¹⁴ When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions?
¹⁵ “You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles. ¹⁶ Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.”
¹⁷ But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! ¹⁸ Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. ¹⁹ For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. ²⁰ My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹ I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

Examine the scriptures:

Scripture from the previous lesson.

Galatians 2:11-13 NLT
Paul Confronts Peter
Christians Confronting Christians
¹¹ But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong.   ¹² When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore.  He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision.  ¹³ As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

Today’s lesson.

Galatians 2:14-21 NLT
Paul Confronts Peter (continued) 

¹⁴ When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, 

The truth of the gospel message:

Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

• The truth of the gospel message: Salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

I said to Peter in front of all the others,

What Peter had initiated created a public scandal and therefore deserved a public rebuke.

There are circumstances when individuals should be rebuked publicly.

• Peter’s actions needed to be addressed.

“Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions?

Peter and the other Jewish believers were “Practicing a double standard.”

• “Practicing a double standard” is wrong!

When Peter and the other Jewish believers were eating with the Gentile believers, they were not observing the Jewish food laws.

• Afraid of criticism, Peter and other Jewish believers stopped “eating” with Gentiles who were not circumcised.

Peter’s hypocrisy was blatant.

At first it was o.k. for Peter to ignore Jewish food laws and treat uncircumcised Gentiles as equals.

Afraid of criticism, Peter and the other Jewish believers stopped eating (fellowshipping) with the Gentile believers.

• The actions of Peter and the other Jewish believers implied that faith in Christ was not enough.

Their actions implied that Gentiles had to be circumcised to become true believers. 

¹⁵ “You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles. 

Of course, the Gentiles were sinners.

The Gentiles did not have the “advantage” that the Jews had, which was the divine written law.

We know that this is irony.

Romans 3:23 NLT
²³ For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 

¹⁶ Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.”

• Jews and Gentiles alike are sinners.

• Justification (for all people) is by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law.

Example:

Genesis 15:6 NLT
⁶ And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. 

(Before the law was given to Moses)

One new people from the two groups.

Ephesians 2:14-16 NLT
¹⁴ For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. ¹⁵ He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. ¹⁶ Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. 

¹⁷ But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! 

Just because following the law does not lead to salvation does not mean that the law has no value.

This is not a license to live a sinful life.

John 14:15-17 NLT
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
¹⁵ “If you love me, obey my commandments. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. ¹⁷ He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. 

¹⁸ Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down.  

Salvation by grace alone through faith alone. (Not by keeping the law.)

• I am a sinner if I teach that we must keep the law to be saved.

Practice Jewish food laws and be circumcised. 

¹⁹ For when I (Paul) tried to keep the law, it condemned me.

The Law demanded death for those who broke it.

So I (Paul) died to the law—I (Paul) stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I (Paul) might live for God. 

Paul makes a similar comment addressing the Romans.

Romans 7:6-11 NLT
⁶ But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.
God’s Law Reveals Our Sin
⁷ Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. 

Romans 8:1-2 NLT
Life in the Spirit
8 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. ² And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 

• The law shows us the need for a Savior.

• Paul stopped trying to meet all of the requirements of the law. 

²⁰ My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

Faith in Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit. 

²¹ I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless.

• Grace is the undeserved favor of a loving God freely given to sinful people who did nothing to earn it.

• Salvation is not a combination of keeping the law and God’s grace. 

For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

• The truth of the gospel message: Salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

 

Paul Confronts Peter

Christians Confronting Christians

Galatians 2:11-13 NLT
¹¹ But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong.   ¹² When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore.  He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision.  ¹³ As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

Examine the Scriptures
Paul Confronts Peter
Christians Confronting Christians

¹¹ But when Peter 

Peter’s reputation

A pillar of the church

Galatians 2:9 NLT
⁹ In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church.

Part of the “inner circle” of disciples.

Matthew 17:1 NLT
The Transfiguration
^17:1 Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone.

Mark 14:33 NLT
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
³³ He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed.

The spokesman for the disciples

Examples:

Matthew 19:27 NLT
²⁷ Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?”

Luke 12:41 NLT
⁴⁰ You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
⁴¹ Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”

Mark 8:29 NLT
²⁹ Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.” 

• The early church regarded Peter as the representative of the apostolic body.

(Note: Peter held no distinct office and never claimed any powers that did not belong equally to all of his fellow apostles.)

came to Antioch,

The first Gentile church was established in Antioch. 

The starting point of Paul’s three missionary journeys.

(Note: The time of Peter’s trip is unknown.)

I had to oppose him to his face,

A tense face to face confrontation between two Christian leaders.

Two reasons for Paul to oppose Peter.

Defending the Gospel.

Demonstrating his own independence and equality as an apostle.

Remember that Paul was “not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.” Galatians 1:1 NLT

for what he did was very wrong. 

• Paul had to oppose Peter to his face for doing something very wrong.

Peter’s conduct threatened to compromise the gospel.

• There are times when face to face confrontation is necessary. 

¹² When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised.

Acts 10:9-15, 28 NLT
Peter Visits Cornelius
⁹ The next day as Cornelius’s messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon, ¹⁰ and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹ He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. ¹² In the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds. ¹³ Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.”
¹⁴ “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.”
¹⁵ But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” 

²⁸ Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.

• When Peter, a Jew, first arrived at Antioch he ate with the Gentile believers.

This was a demonstration of the unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ.

• God had shown Peter that he should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. 

But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore.

It is doubtful that they had James endorsement.

Judaizers added Jewish traditions to the Gospel.

• Peter had, in appearance, supported the doctrine of the Judaizers and nullified Paul’s teaching.

Actions speak louder than words.

Matthew 7:24 NLT
²⁴ “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

²⁶ But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.

• Peter compromised the Gospel.

He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. 

• Peter acted out of fear. He was afraid of criticism.

Proverbs 29:25 NLT
²⁵ Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
but trusting the Lord means safety.

 God speaking to Ezekiel:
Ezekiel 2:3-7
³ “Son of man,” he said, “I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been rebelling against me to this very day. ⁴ They are a stubborn and hard-hearted people. But I am sending you to say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ ⁵ And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for remember, they are rebels—at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.
⁶ “Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don’t be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels. ⁷ You must give them my messages whether they listen or not.

¹³ As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

Hypocrite – someone who masks his true character by pretending to be something he is not.

These believers were denying the truth by their conduct.

Challenge:

2 Timothy 4:2-5 NLT
² Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
³ For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
⁵ But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 

• Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord.

 

 

 

 

Keep on Helping the Poor

Galatians 2:10 NLT
¹⁰ Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do.

Read last week’s passage of Scripture.

Galatians 2:6-10 NLT
The Apostles Accept Paul (Part 2)
⁶ And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.) ⁷ Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. ⁸ For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles.
⁹ In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews.  

¹⁰ Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do.

Examine the scriptures:
Galatians 2:10 NLT
Keep on Helping the Poor

¹⁰ Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do.

• The Jerusalem Church was not asking Paul to do something that he was not already doing.

They asked Paul to “keep on helping the poor”.

Paul was eager to help the poor.

James talks about helping the needy.

James 2:14-17 NLT
Faith without Good Deeds Is Dead
¹⁴ What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? ¹⁵ Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, ¹⁶ and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
¹⁷ So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. 

• Faith without good deeds is dead.

Background history.

The number of Christians in Jerusalem grew rapidly at first.

The Believers Formed a Community in Jerusalem.

Acts 2:41-45 NLT
⁴¹ Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
⁴² All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
⁴³ A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. ⁴⁴ And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. ⁴⁵ They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

The Jerusalem Believers Shared Their Possessions with Each Other.

Acts 4:32-37 NLT
³² All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. ³³ The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. ³⁴ There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them ³⁵ and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
³⁶ For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. ³⁷ He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

The Believers Faced Hard Times.

Acts 6:1 NLT
^6:1 But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

A series of severe famines struck various sections of the Roman Empire during this time.  (A.D. 41-54)

Several secular writers (Josephus and Suetonius) affirm the occurrence of a great famine in Israel A.D. 45-46.

Acts 11:27-30 NLT
²⁷ During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) ²⁹ So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. ³⁰ This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem. 

• For years the Christians in Judea faced severe financial hardships.

Paul also talks about this in the book of Romans.

Romans 15:25-27 NLT
²⁵ But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. ²⁶ For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. ²⁷ They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially.

This demonstrates genuine concern on the part of the Gentile Christians for the Jewish Christians. This in turn would help promote unity and love among believers and help prevent the kinds of misunderstandings which were undermining the Gentile churches.

This principle is commanded in the Old Testament.

Deuteronomy 15:7-8 NLT
⁷ “But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. ⁸ Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. 

• God’s Word repeatedly instructs us to help the poor.

Acts 20:35
³⁵ And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 

1 John 3:17 NLT
¹⁷ If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

• Plan your giving.

1 Corinthians 16:1-3 NLT (Paul’s third missionary journey A.D. 54-58.)
The Collection for Jerusalem
16 Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. ² On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once. ³ When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem.

The collection for the Christians in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8-9)

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NLT
⁶ Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. ⁷ You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” ⁸ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

• “… God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

• Those who are generous are blessed.

Proverbs 22:9 NLT
⁹ Blessed are those who are generous,
because they feed the poor.

Proverbs 28:27 NLT
²⁷ Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.

Luke 6:38 NLT (in the context of relating to others)
³⁸ Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

Matthew 25:34-40 NLT
³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. ³⁶ I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
³⁷ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? ³⁹ When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
⁴⁰ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Jeremiah 22:15-16 NLT
¹⁵ But a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king!
Your father, Josiah, also had plenty to eat and drink.
But he was just and right in all his dealings.
That is why God blessed him.
¹⁶ He gave justice and help to the poor and needy,
and everything went well for him.
Isn’t that what it means to know me?”
says the Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Apostles Accept Paul (Part 2)

Galatians 2:6-9 NLT
⁶ And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.) ⁷ Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. ⁸ For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles.
⁹ In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. 

Examine the scriptures:
Galatians 2:6-9 NLT
The Apostles Accept Paul (Part 2) 

⁶ And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching.

• The apostles in Jerusalem did not correct or modify Paul’s message but recognized its divine source and affirmed its truth and completeness.

What was Paul’s message?

Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

The Gospel is both profound and simple.

Romans 10:9-13 NLT
⁹ If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. ¹¹ As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” ¹² Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. ¹³ For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

What was Jesus’ message?

John 3:16 NLT
¹⁶ “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

The Scriptures “add meat to the bones.” 

 (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.)

Romans 2:11 NLT
¹¹ For God does not show favoritism.

2 Corinthians 12:11
… for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” 

• Paul knew that he was not inferior to the other apostles.

• God does not show favoritism.

* Apply this principle to you and those around you. 

 ⁷ Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. 

Different gifts.

Different responsibilities.

One Gospel, different audiences.

1 Corinthians 12 NLT
Spiritual Gifts⁴ There are different kinds of spiritual gifts … ⁵ There are different kinds of service … ⁶ God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. … ⁷ A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 

One Body with Many Parts

¹² The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. ^… and God has put each part just where he wants it. …²⁷ All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.  

• A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

Your responsibility is different from the responsibility of the person sitting next to you. 

Romans 12:6-8 NLT
⁶ In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. ⁷ If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. ⁸ If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 

• In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. 

⁸ For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles. 

⁹ In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. 

Look for and recognize spiritual gifts in your co-workers as well as in your students.

• Recognize the spiritual gift(s) God has given to the people around you. 

They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. 

Encourage one another.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
¹¹ So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Ephesians 4:29 NLT
²⁹ Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT
²³ Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. ²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ²⁵ And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. 

• God’s Word instructs us to encourage each other and build each other up. 

 

 

Introduction:

The Apostles Accept Paul (Part 1)

Galatians 2:1-5 NLT
^2:1Then fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. ² I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing. ³ And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile.
⁴ Even that question came up only because of some so-called believers there—false ones, really—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. ⁵ But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you.

Examine the scriptures:
Galatians 2:1-5 NLT
The Apostles Accept Paul (Part 1)

^2:1Then fourteen years later

Refer to  previous lesson.

I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. 

Barnabas-a Jewish believer

Titus- a Gentile believer

The book of Acts mentions five Jerusalem visits made by Paul after his conversion.

The visit after he left Damascus (Acts 9:26-30).

The famine visit (Acts 11:27-30)

Acts 11:27-30 NLT
²⁷ During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) ²⁹ So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. ³⁰ This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.

The visit to attend the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1-30)

The visit at the end of his second missionary Journey ((Acts 18:22)

His final visit which resulted in his Caesarean imprisonment Acts 21:15-23:35)

Galatians 2 could refer to either the “famine visit” or the “Jerusalem council visit”.

• The book of Acts mentions five Jerusalem visits made by Paul after his conversion. Galatians 2 could refer to either the “famine visit” or the “Jerusalem council visit”.

It really doesn’t matter which trip this passage is referring to, the principles are still the same.

² I went there because God revealed to me that I should go.

• Paul traveled to Jerusalem because God directed him to, not because he was summoned by the church for something he was doing (preaching to the Gentiles).

Paul got his “marching orders” from God.

Peter would have understood this principle.

Acts 5:26-29 NLT
²⁶ The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. ²⁷ Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. ²⁸ “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”
²⁹ But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”

• “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”

What does the Bible tell us to do?

While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church

Most likely Peter, James, and John (see verse 9)

Met privately.  Paul was not looking for a public endorsement.

“Those considered to be leaders” 

and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement,

Previously Paul had emphasized his independence from the other apostles.

Paul did recognize the importance of harmony and unity within the “church”.

1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT<
¹⁰ I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

Romans 16:17 NLT
¹⁷ And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.

Philippians 2:2 NLT
² Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Romans 15:5-6 NLT
⁵ May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. ⁶ Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

• Paul recognized the importance of harmony and unity within the “church”.

Paul wanted to avoid a split between the Jewish and Gentile Christians.

• Scripture tells us to “live in harmony with each other.”

Scripture does not teach “denominations”. 

For fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing. 

Paul feared that his ministry might be hindered or rendered of no effect by the Judaizers
if the Jerusalem leaders insisted on circumcision and other requirements of the Law for the Gentiles,

Mark 3:24-25 NLT
²⁴ “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. ²⁵ Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.

Galatians 3:28 (next chapter)

Galatians 3:28 NLT
²⁸ There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

A word of encouragement for the discouraged.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
⁵⁸ So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

• You know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 

³ And they supported me

• The leaders of the Jerusalem Church supported Paul’s ministry.

Paul’s position.

God’s grace comes through faith in Christ, not by works. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

• God’s grace comes through faith in Christ. 

and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile.

• The Jerusalem apostles did not think that circumcision was necessary for a Gentile (a Greek) like Titus.

⁴ Even that question came up only because of some so-called believers there—false ones, really—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. 

• Beware of false prophets

Matthew 7:15-20 NLT
¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. ¹⁶ You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. ¹⁹ So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

• False prophets are a reality and false prophets are destructive.

Go back to Galatians 1
⁶ I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News ⁷ but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

Acts 15:1 NLT
^15:1 While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

⁵ But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you. 

Paul was not willing to compromise.

To do so would change the Gospel.

Salvation is by faith alone.  Adding works to faith compromises the truth of the Gospel. 

There are times when it is wrong to compromise. 

Look back to:
Galatians 1:6-7 NLT
There Is Only One Good News
⁶ I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ.  You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News ⁷ but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. ⁸ Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 

• There are times when it is wrong to compromise.   

Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. (Galatians 1:8)

 

Galatians 1:16b – 24 NLT
Paul’s Message Comes from Christ (Part 2)
Paul is defending his apostleship.
^16b … When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. ¹⁷ Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus.
¹⁸ Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. ¹⁹ The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.
²¹ After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. ²² And still the churches in Christ that are in Judea didn’t know me personally. ²³ All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” ²⁴ And they praised God because of me.

Examine the scriptures:

Galatians 1:16b – 24 NLT

Paul’s Message Comes from Christ (Part 2) Paul is defending his apostleship.

 ^16b … When this (Damascus Road experience) happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. 

Galatians 1:12 NLT
¹² I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. 

• Paul received his message by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:12)

• Paul was not influenced by human beings after receiving his revelation from Jesus Christ.

¹⁷ Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was.

Jerusalem, the birthplace of Christianity.

Paul was independent from the other apostles yet in harmony with them.

Galatians 2:6
“And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching.”  Both preached the same Gospel.

• Paul did not consult with other human beings after receiving a revelation from Jesus.

Instead, I went away into Arabia,

• The chronology and dating of the events in Paul’s life are still disputed among scholars.

• The details of Paul’s trip to Arabia are vague.

This trip is not mentioned in the Book of Acts.

Many believe Paul went to Arabia to be alone with the Lord for personal study, meditation, and to receive further instruction from the Lord.

Paul already knew Old Testament Scriptures.

Paul’s experience may have been similar to that of the two men on the road to Emmaus.

Luke 24:27 NLT
The Walk to Emmaus
²⁷ Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Jesus opened Paul’s eyes to the truths of the scriptures.

Paul would have heard the claims of the first Christians.

• Paul did not form his theology by consulting with others.

and later I returned to the city of Damascus. 

¹⁸ Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 

Review verse 17

• Paul went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter.

¹⁹ The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie. 

²¹ After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. 

After his visit in Jerusalem, Paul worked for an extended time (possibly 10 years) in Syria and Cilicia (this included his home town of Tarsus).

Paul was not commissioned for this ministry by the church or by the Apostles.

Barnabas found Paul in Tarsus.

Acts 11:25-26 NLT
²⁵ Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. ²⁶ When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)

²² And still the churches in Christ that are in Judea didn’t know me personally. 

From the time of his conversion till now the churches in Judea did not know Paul personally.

• Paul’s apostleship did not derive from Jerusalem.

²³ All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!”  

• Paul was preaching the “very faith” the Jerusalem church was preaching.

²⁴ And they praised God because of me.

• Paul’s conversion and ministry was a source of rejoicing in the Jerusalem church.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction:

Paul defending his apostleship

Galatians 1:11-16a NLT
Paul’s Message Comes from Christ (Paul is defending his apostleship.)
¹¹ Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. ¹² I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.
¹³ You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. ¹⁴ I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.
¹⁵ But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him ¹⁶ to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.

Examine the scriptures:
Galatians 1:11-16a NLT
Paul’s Message Comes from Christ
¹¹ Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach

• Paul’s message was that People are made right with God by Grace through faith, not by obeying the law.

A brief summary of Paul’s message.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

is not based on mere human reasoning. 

• The Gospel did not originate with man. 

This reminder should be reassuring, encouraging, and motivating to us. 

¹² I received my message from no human source,

• Paul did not receive the Gospel from any human source.

Unlike the experience many of us had.

• Most of us did hear the Gospel message from a human source, which is also part of God’s plan for many people.

The Galatians heard the Gospel from a human source, Paul.

Hearing the Gospel from a human source is Biblical.

Romans 10:13-15 NLT
¹³ For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
¹⁴ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? ¹⁵ And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” 

Psalm 78:4 NLT
⁴ We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders. 

Acts 1:8 NLT
⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Mark 16:15-16 NLT
¹⁵ And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 

and no one taught me. 

Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.

Paul, writing to the Ephesians.
Ephesians 3:3 NLT
³ As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me.

• Paul received his message by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. 

¹³ You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion

the traditions of my ancestors (v.14)

Meticulous rules and regulations governing the daily life of the people made by Jewish rabbis.

Most of these traditions were not Biblical. 

—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it.  

¹⁴ I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.

Philippians 3:5-6 NLT
⁵ I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. ⁶ I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. 

• Before he was converted, Paul zealously and fanatically persecuted the Christian church.

 ¹⁵ But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace.

Romans 1:1 NLT
This letter is from Paul,

a slave of Christ Jesus,

 chosen by God to be an apostle

and sent out to preach his Good News.

• Paul was chosen by God to be an apostle.

This calling was not unique to Paul.

Isaiah 49:1 NLT
The Lord’s Servant Commissioned
^49:1 Listen to me, all you in distant lands!
Pay attention, you who are far away!
The Lord called me before my birth;
from within the womb he called me by name.

Jeremiah 1:5 NLT
⁵ “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
Before you were born I set you apart
and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

A similar calling for John the Baptist found in Luke 1.

We too are called by God’s marvelous grace.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Then it pleased him ¹⁶ to reveal his Son to me 

“pleased Him to reveal…”

Damascus Road experience

Total and complete transformation

Paul’s life was turned around

Going in a different direction

• Paul experienced a complete and total transformation. He went from being a persecutor of Christians to a preacher of the Gospel.

so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. 

The Gentiles were the non-Jewish world.

• Paul became known as an apostle to the Gentiles.

We now move from Paul’s greeting to the content of his letter to the Galatians.

Galatians 1:6-10 NLT
There Is Only One Good News
⁶ I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News ⁷ but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
⁸ Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. ⁹ I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.
¹⁰ Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

Examine the scriptures
Galatians 1:6-10 NLT
There Is Only One Good News 

⁶ I am shocked 

Other translations replace shocked with: marvel – astounded – surprised – amazed

Some might say, “I am appalled”.

How is this for a greeting?

Paul is probably feeling astonishment, frustration, and anger.

The Galatian churches that started out believing the truth of the Gospel were now turning away from the true Gospel.

Apparently Paul had visited each of the churches (except Derbe) twice. Once going and once returning.

that you are turning away (deserting) so soon from God, 

Paul had just returned from his missionary journey.

• The Galatian churches were turning away from the true Gospel “quickly and easily”.

• The Galatian believers were voluntarily deserting grace to pursue legalism taught by the false teachers.

(God) who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. 

• God had called the Galatians to himself through the loving mercy of Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 NLT
Believers Should Stand Firm
¹³ As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
¹⁵ With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.

2 Timothy 1:9 NLT
⁹ For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 

You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News ⁷ but is not the Good News at all.

If your teaching adds anything to “The good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone”, your teaching “is not the Good News at all.

• If your teaching compromises the Gospel in any way, your teaching “is not the Good News at all.

You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. 

• The Galatians were being fooled by teachers who deliberately twisted the truth concerning Christ.

Application for us today.

Matthew 7:15 NLT
¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 

Colossians 2:8 NLT
⁸ Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

2 Timothy 4:3 NLT
³ For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 

Matthew 13:20-21 NLT
²⁰ The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. ²¹ But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.

1 Timothy 4:1 NLT
Warnings against False Teachers
^4:1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

Matthew 24: 10-12
¹⁰ And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. ¹¹ And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. ¹² Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.

Matthew 24:24 NLT
²⁴ For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. 

• False prophets will appear and will deceive many people.

Practice discernment. (Teach discernment)

1 John 4:1 NLT
Discerning False Prophets
^4:1 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. 

Acts 17:11 NLT
¹¹ And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 

Paul’s counsel to Timothy 

2 Timothy 4:1-5 NLT
^4:1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: ² Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
³ For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
⁵ But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

• Examine the scriptures to determine truth and error. 

⁸ Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.  

⁹ I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.

Harsh consequences.

Matthew 18:6 NLT
⁶ But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. 

2 Peter 2:1 NLT
The Danger of False Teachers
^2:1 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.

• There are severe consequences for those who teach a false gospel.

¹⁰ Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. 

• If pleasing people is our goal, we would not be Christ’s servants.

 

 

 

Greetings from Paul (Part 2)

Review:
Note the difference between Scripture and commentary.

Scripture is God’s Word.  Commentary is man’s word.

Upon arriving back in Antioch from his first missionary journey after eighteen months on the road, Paul received a report that the churches he had started in Galatia had been led away from the truth of the Gospel by a group of Judaizers.  Judaizers taught that all Christians were required to live under the Mosaic Law.

Themes in the book of Galatians:

Salvation was available to the Gentiles.

Gentiles did not have to become Jews in order to become full members of God’s family.  They only had to put their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.

Galatians 1:1-5 NLT
Greetings from Paul
1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.
² All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia.
³ May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. ⁴ Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. ⁵ All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

 What’s missing in this greeting to the Galatians?

• The usual expression of thanksgiving and praise for believers is totally absent.

Examine the scriptures:

1 This letter is from Paul, 

• The book of Galatians was written by Paul

 an apostle.

An Apostle is “one who is sent”.

We typically think of the twelve men Jesus choose to accompany Him.

Paul immediately defends his apostolic credentials.

When the Galatians fell away so quickly from the gospel of grace Paul had preached to them, they also made clear their disloyalty to Paul’s authority as an apostle.

• The Galatians were being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. (Galatians 1:7)

Paul was accused of changing the Gospel message.

The Judaizers stated that his version of the Gospel had never received the apostles’ sanction.

The Judaizers also stated that Paul’s presentation of the Gospel was incomplete.

Paul begins the letter to the Galatians by spending two chapters defending that very issue. 

Paul’s apostolic credentials were being challenged.

Though not one of the original Twelve, Paul claimed equality with them as an apostle. Paul claimed the right to speak for God as His representative or delegate.

Ambassador

Messenger

• Paul felt a strong need to defend his authority as an apostle. 

I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. 

But by Jesus Christ. That is, directly by Christ. He had been called by him, and commissioned by him, and sent by him, to engage in the work of the gospel.

Paul made the bold claim that his call was of heavenly origin, from God the Father and the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s apostleship was not from men, that is, he was not appointed an apostle by any official body such as the leaders in Jerusalem or Antioch.

• Paul’s apostleship was not from men but from Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. 

² All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia.

Paul did not stand alone.  Paul was supported by others in the “church”.  Paul probably wrote this letter from Antioch of Syria.

The letter was most likely sent to Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia

Acts 13: 13-14 & Acts 14:1, 7

• The recipients of the letter were the churches in Galatia.
• All the brothers and sisters in Antioch of Syria joined Paul in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia. (commentary)

³ May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 

• The Judaizers clearly did not understand “grace” and would never experience God’s “peace”. Paul was asking God to give the Judaizers something they really needed.

Philippians 4:7 NLT
⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

⁴ Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.

• Paul summarized the Gospel in one sentence. The Judaizers would not “be rescued from this evil world” by keeping the law.

⁵ All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.