NT, Part 8. Part 1 of the examination of Galatians. The greeting. The point. Moving through the Acts of the Apostles and examining each of Paul’s epistles along the way.
The first letter penned by the apostle Paul was to Jews and Gentiles he had encountered and had led to Christ on his first ministry trip. This trip was taken with Barnabas across the southern region of Anatolia, the region of the Celts of Galatia, modern-day Turkey.
Across this region were towns that contained Jewish synagogues, some of which had members who had been in Jerusalem for Pentecost and who had heard the Gospel in their own languages when the Holy Spirit gifted the church with spoken languages, thus taking wide the Gospel.
However, most of the citizens of these towns were Gentiles (non-Jews). Many had converted to Judaism, accepting circumcision and all Jewish practices of the Old Testament Law pertaining to food restrictions.
But most of the Gentiles were not converts to Judaism. Rather, they were local people, descended from Celtic tribes, Greek speakers, who had heard the gospel message and were drawn to Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Upon returning with Barnabas to Antioch, Paul wrote his first epistle to the churches in Galatia, for Jewish men from Jerusalem had begun traveling about instructing the Gentiles that they needed to keep the Law and be circumcised, or they would lose their salvation.
This was not true! It would have been alarming to hear this. It shook the newfound faith of the believers all across Galatia.
And so, Paul wrote as quickly as possible. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he brought to bear all he had witnessed that proved that Gentiles (non-Jews) and Jewish believers were free from rigid adherence to the Law.
In this letter, Paul’s identifies himself as an apostle, for he saw and was commissioned directly by Jesus Christ upon his salvation. The Gospel he presented was the message given him by Jesus himself, and so, he writes with authority.
“For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12 ESV).
Later, when he wrote to the Corinthians, he also stressed this significant truth:
“Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?” (1 Corinthians 9:1a ESV).
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared. . . Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” (1 Corinthians 15:3-5a, 8-9 ESV).
Before he believed and placed his faith in Jesus Messiah, Paul had set out to destroy the church in Damascus. When he and his group of Jewish men neared the city, Paul was left blinded when Jesus spoke to him.
Ananias had been given a message by God affirming Paul’s calling: “Go,” God spoke to Ananias, “for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name“ (Acts 9:15b-17 ESV).
Paul was to go, and he was to suffer. And so, zealous Paul turned to the task.
“But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia…” (Galatians 1:15-17b ESV).
In the letter to the Galatians, Paul greets the new believers of Galatia whom he had led to Christ. And then, with the strength and power of having been commissioned directly by Christ himself, led by the Holy Spirit, Paul wasted no time in getting immediately to the point of his message.
Law vs. Grace
“Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—and all the brothers who are with me,
“To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ “(Galatians 1:1-7 ESV).
The Jewish men who traveled about informing the new believers that they had to be circumcised and to keep the requirements of the Law had done their damage. The new believers were deserting their faith, a military-type desertion of fleeing back to the other side.
In short, to believe that anything needs to be added to our faith in Christ Jesus as Savior is to believe another Gospel. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO OTHER GOSPEL. Nothing needs to be added.
To add anything to the simplicity of the gospel is to DISTORT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, to turn it from saying one thing and to twist it so that it says exactly the opposite.
When Christ is present in our lives, we will be transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit within us, not by following the letter of the Law, by eating certain foods, or by being circumcised.
When Christ is present in our lives, we will be transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit within us, not by following the letter of the Law. #Legalism Click To TweetTo believe that keeping the Law and adhering to the rituals of the letter of the Law is in essence “quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ” and in doing so one is “turning to a different gospel.”
The ESV Study Bible on Galatians 1:6: “These are NOT issues over which Christians might legitimately disagree. The Galatians are questioning the very gospel itself, and Paul is a model of forthright frankness when central gospel issues are at stake.” (Crossways Bibles, Wheaton, Illinois, 2008).
The gospel plus legalism equals no gospel at all.
The gospel plus legalism equals no gospel at all. Faith vs. Legalism. Click To Tweet To entrust oneself to legalism–the keeping of laws and rules, believing them to be of greater significance than the gospel–is "a different gospel," not the real gospel of Jesus Christ. #Faith Click To TweetTo entrust oneself to legalism — the keeping of laws and rules, believing them to be of greater significance than the gospel — is “a different gospel,” not the real gospel of Jesus Christ. Thinking that the Law, circumcision, and dietary restrictions must be kept is “to distort the gospel of Jesus.”
To twist the gospel in any way, to change the simplicity of the message is a matter of great peril, for our salvation cost Messiah Jesus his life and his blood. The gospel is the most serious and significant message on the face of the earth at every time in history since Christ died, rose, and ascended.
Our salvation cost Messiah Jesus his life and his blood. The gospel is the most serious and significant message on the face of the earth at every time in history since Christ died, rose, and ascended. Click To Tweet
So, what was the gospel message presented by Paul and Barnabas? First came the Jewish history prologue, and then the Gospel itself:
“Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him [Jesus] nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,
“‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.’
“And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’”
“Therefore he says also in another psalm, ‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’
“For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses“ (Acts 13:26-39 ESV).
There it is. Do not add to, nor take anything away from this message.
Let it be known that through Jesus Christ forgiveness of sins is proclaimed. By him everyone who believes in him is freed from striving to adhere to religious rules or laws. Jesus is the One and Only way to salvation. Click To TweetJesus did all the work. We can add nothing that will gain us salvation. The Holy Spirit empowers our transformation, enabling us to repent of our sins, and to recognize our great and enduring need for Jesus Messiah.
Jesus did all the work. We can add nothing that will gain us salvation. The Holy Spirit empowers our transformation, enabling us to repent of our sins, and to recognize our great, enduring need for Jesus. Click To TweetThanks be to God and our Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation!
Have you ever been affiliated with a legalistic group of people who call themselves Christians and yet place more importance on their regulations than on the living out of the Gospel?
How did you leave that group? How did you come to see the truth? What happened?
Why do you think that we humans are often so tempted to resort to rule-keeping rather than to faith?
Great details and information. I think rules make us feel comfortable and we can measure were we are. They provide boundaries. Unfortunately, they get abused when we try to interpret them for others and use them as a measuring stick to judge others.
That’s so very true, Yvonne. We can take those rules that are meant for our good and use them to divide and to judge, particularly if we interpret them for others, as you wisely stated. This often does lead to abuse against others and of manhandling the Word of God. A wise and cautionary bit of advice. Well said.
I found that some of this exists within the apologetics community…. not all apologists, but a few I have met seemed to be rather legalistic. I had a hard time at first with that, as I come from a church background that is very grace-oriented. But I now realize that for many people, keeping the rules, and not “drawing outside of the lines,” makes them feel safer. So, even for the rigid legalist, there is grace. We should show them that.
So very true, Lisa! It’s a good thing, for legalism has been part of our background since the very beginning. Some people, as you said, simply cannot “draw outside the lines” or what they perceive to be the “the lines.” I think it is either a personality type, or upbringing in a more rigid church background, but whatever the reason, it could be that both legalists and those who have a freer way of living out there faith work together to balance each other out, so that, together, we end up balanced and nearer to the truth.
I am thankful that God gives each person special and unique gifts. Every person has the ability to help lead others closer to God. We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. Yet, God can use us to help others know Him.
That is all so very true, Melissa. As Lisa and I were discussing this above, it could be the very uniqueness of each one of us that tilts us toward either legalism or an understanding of the freedom from the law that we now have in Christ. Paul’s challenge in this letter was to get that fact across to churches across Galatia that had been led astray by those who thought the OT Law still had to be followed, including circumcision and dietary laws.
Hallelujah and Maranatha Amen!!
Yes, indeed! Come, Lord Jesus!
Another homerun, Melinda!
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking this is not an issue for us today. After all, when we share the gospel, we don’t ask people to become Jewish, get circumcised, etc., before they accept Christ. But our equivalent today is often expecting people to “clean up their act” before they become a Christian. Problem is, if they could clean up their act before they are redeemed, they wouldn’t need to be redeemed! That’s the whole point – we can’t do it on our own. Yet all too often, we expect unbelievers to stop acting like unbelievers before they become believers!
Thank you, Ava! Great observation! We also expect new believers to clean up their lives pronto, some even expecting or assuming that THEY know what should be done first and telling the new believer exactly what they think should be done, another imposition of legalism. In reality, the Holy Spirit guides and empowers our transformation. Though tempted to meddle, we need to get out of His way and let the Lord do His gentle yet powerful work!
I love the way you break down the meaning and context behind the Bible. Paul’s words to the new believers were exactly what they needed to hear then so they could join God’s family… and serve us just as well today, too! I have such admiration for Paul.
Thank you, Jessica! I’m an admirer of Paul as well. He accomplished so much in the early church that built a solid foundation. He calls it like he sees it, treating new believers with grace and rebuking those who would confuse the new believers with additional requirements they place upon them to keep the Law and to even be circumcised. Paul won’t hear of it, for Jesus didn’t require new Gentile believers to keep the requirements that had been covenantal with Abraham and his descendants. And now Jesus had fulfilled all the requirements of the Law! Paul stood strong against all who attempted to burden new believers with the Law.
Well done, Melinda. This is powerful, “The gospel plus legalism equals no gospel at all.” So true. Galatians is my favorite book of the New Testament. Paul uses such great insight to clear up any confusion of adding anything to the grace of our salvation. “Adding” always gets us in trouble when it comes to the gospel and spiritual truths!
Well said, Karen. Grace plus this or plus that is similar. The Lord wants us to rely on him and his grace, not on our own efforts and not on legalism, the keeping of laws and rules in an attempt to please God. This also amounts to nothing, for he wants us to rely on him alone, to trust in him, and lean on him!
I never belonged to a legalistic group, but I made a legalism of my own. Being immersed in a teaching ministry that focused on transparency helped me understand my own faith and the Gospel itself much better.
II Peter provides a wonderful discussion about grace and works of obedience.
Yes, it really does! I wasn’t part of a legalistic church, but I did wander my way into a legalistic home school group for a time that did a lot of damage to us and our family. Legalism is like poison, the constant need to do works that will supposedly guarantee favor with God, and then the exhaustion because, lo and behold, that didn’t result in outcomes one expected. It’s far, far better to rely upon the grace of God and the tender guidance of the Savior for growth and guidance and protection.
I am really enjoying this series and learning so much…Melinda, and all u lady’s posts on here….I hope it’s ok to put my question here and would love input from all of you on it…I trust the answers I will get already…don’t mean to question bomb your site Melinda… I’m not on Facebook or Instagram or Twitter….so can’t follow the posts there from you all ..
My question…I have a Dr. Appt and I haven’t gotten my covid shot…I am Leary because I have heard from several people that they say this jab is the mark of the beast ! Any input on this…I don’t want this shot if it is….to all here, who if it can’t be put here I am throwing my email out for answers…
gramihas8@gmail.com….Help!
Terri, the mark of the beast definitely seems to require denial of Christ. This vaccination, on the other hand, has no such requirement. It’s just like receiving the vaccinations we received as kids and the same that we made sure to get for our kids so they didn’t catch diphtheria, tetanus, polio, or pertussis. People who have been saying that the vaccine is the mark of the beast show a misunderstanding of the signs of the times and of the meaning of the Scriptures. Tim and I are vaccinated, and we didn’t worry about this issue for even one second. Rather we rejoiced that the Lord had allowed brilliant scientists to work for years in order to produce this vaccine to protect us and to bring an end to all of this isolation and the lockdowns. God bless you, friend! Be at peace about this.