GALATIANS

In this message, we begin a new verse by verse, expository series in Paul's epistle to the churches of Galatia.  The emphasis in this first message centers around liberty in Christ as a result of the gospel of grace, and is contrasted with the yoke of bondage which is found in the works of the law.  The urgency and firmness of spirit wherewith we maintain a stand for the pureness of grace in the gospel is a key theme.  The general concepts covered by the epistle are highlighted in outline form as we endeavor to preface the beginning of our study through this short, yet mighty epistle of our Apostle Paul. 

In this message,  we take a look at some of the unique features of the epistle to the Galatians, and begin taking note of the authorship and audience to whom it is addressed.  Having the fundamental understanding of context in which it is written and by whom, along with the intended goals for the audience is key in approach the text itself.  For this reason, Lesson #2 begins to cover a number of the preliminary insights that we can extract about our subject matter and endeavors to better prepare us to handle the material properly as we move ahead.

In this message, we highlight the personal nature of the ministry of the Apostle Paul among the Galatians.  Unlike some other churches to whom Paul wrote, the churches of Galatia had seen Paul's face in the flesh and were the personal benefactors of his ministry efforts in their midst.  The Galatians knew Paul; they were familiar with his infirmities in the flesh, his persecutions for the gospel's sake and his deep, spiritual love toward them.  This has profound implications upon the contents of the letter itself, so this study is devoted to establishing the Acts timeline of Paul's ministry with special focus upon his early ministry with Barnabas.  Having a working knowledge of Paul's ministry in Acts lays the foundation for being able to come to sensible conclusions regarding the audience and timing of the epistle's writing.

In this message, we review and extend our studies of Paul's early Acts ministry up to and through his first journey, the Jerusalem Council and the early stages of his second journey.  The purpose of this is to establish the context of Paul's ministry movements and to come to a scriptural view on the audience to which his epistle to the Galatians is addressed.  We discuss some of the questionable matters associated with this, explain what commentaries and theology books squabble over, and do a verse comparison to arrival at a scripturally informed opinion.  This allows for us to place Galatians on the Acts timeline and establish a view on when it was written.

In this message, we begin to consider the material set before us in the text of Galatians 1.  No sooner than we pass three words into the text, we are greeted with a parenthetical statement from the Holy Spirit that affirms the divine origin of Paul's apostleship.  Why is this necessary?  Precisely because Paul's apostleship is one that needs further explanation in view of God's time past dealings with Israel and a fully filled ensemble of apostles that Christ already had in the world.  The legitimacy of Paul's apostleship, and therefore his authority to speak on behalf of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ needs substantiation.  For this reason, the Holy Spirit gives us Paul, an apostle with a a parenthesis.  We explore the concept of "an apostle" and set ourselves up for an understanding of the importance of the parenthesis that belongs to Paul as such.

In this message, we continue our consideration of Gal. 1:1 and the special apostleship of Paul.  The goal of the message is to show the importance of understanding the origin and authority that the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father vested in Paul's apostleship.  This was not an act of men, but a direct intervention of God in the timeline of prophecy to make known the hidden wisdom of His will in Christ crucified.  We especially emphasize the grace and peace that is to us today through Paul's gospel and how this factors into all the council of God in relation to time past.  Finally, we end be recognizing that all glory for abounding grace belong exclusively to God for ever and ever. Amen.

In this message, we consider the real reason that Paul had to include the parenthesis in verse 1.  While it is a teachable point concerning the divine origin of his apostleship, Paul is not writing to people who were ignorant of it.  The Galatians were personal beneficiaries of his ministry labors among them.  They knew Paul.  The legitimacy of his apostleship had been evident in their midst and should have been maintained by them with steadfast confidence.  It is because they had been moved away from this truth that he must parenthesize His apostolic claim.  Understanding the introduction of this epistle in this light helps us to see the magnification of the gospel in all it's glory, and by contrast the complete stupidity of the Galatians in forsaking the glorious gospel of Christ for another which was wholly inferior; yea, no gospel at all.  This message delves into these topics and develops the understanding as we prepare to get into the meat of the epistle.

In this message, we focus our attention of what it means to be delivered from this present evil world by looking at some cross-references that help us to think about what Paul has in view with this expression.  We explore the evil that is a part of this present world with its ungodliness and worldly lusts along with the course that serves the will of the Evil One.  Along with this also we see that idolatry and religious wisdom is part of this evil world, and it is this competing wisdom that teaches men to glory in the flesh rather than the grace of God.  All of this has bearing upon the larger subject of Galatians and Part 1 of this section is geared toward appreciating these fundamentals.

In this message, we continue our consideration of what we have been delivered from in relation to this present evil world.  While the previous message focused on the evil in this present world, the aim of this follow-up is to focus on the contrast of the world's mind with that of the Father and to which we have been called by grace.  Through a variety of passage comparisons, we observe many themes arising in Paul's writing around the topics of the mind, the Spirit, the world and the flesh.  All of this comes to bear in view of the correction of Galatians and proper thinking regarding our newness in Christ is key to understanding the exasperation of Paul toward the Galatians move away from grace.

In this message, we begin see the apostle Paul begin to set forth the theme and occasion of the epistle.  The shock and disbelief of the apostle are on display as he expresses the marvelous trouble of which he has been made aware and its affect upon the Galatians.  The departure of the Galatians from the glory of grace, Paul's apostleship and the will of the Father is appalling, and Paul is at no shortage of words about his thoughts in the Spirit on the matter.   With a detailed focus on the words of Galatians 1:6, we begin taking a look at the legalism besetting the church and seek to extract warnings and admonition for our application today.

In this message, our study focuses on Galatians 1:7 and what is meant by another gospel which is not another.  We also take a look at the "some which trouble you" and how this was taking place.  The nature and form of the true gospel is contrasted with its many perversions, and the influence of the Adversary through doctrines of devils is explored.  The purpose of the study is to shed light on the Adversary's tactics, aims and designs in discouraging, hiding and belittling Pauline grace for this dispensation.

In this message, Paul passionately defends the gospel he preached to the Galatians, making it clear that even if he or an angel from heaven were to preach a different gospel, they should be accursed. This highlights the importance of remaining true to the gospel of grace, and not being swayed by outward appearances or sensational experiences, angelic encounters and the like.  These are tactics used to lead believers back to the law. Paul’s strong language underscores that the integrity of the gospel is central to God’s current plan and must not be compromised by any means.

In this message, the Apostle Paul delivers a bold and uncompromising statement in Galatians 1:8-9, condemning anyone who distorts the gospel of grace. Paul makes it clear that those who preach a false gospel, one that adds works to grace, should be "accursed"—cut off from the fellowship of the church. This sharp language reflects the serious threat posed by those trying to lead the Galatians back under the law, particularly through circumcision, as a means of earning salvation. Paul reminds them that salvation is by grace alone, and any attempt to mix works with grace places a person under the curse of the law. This idea of being "accursed" echoes the story in Joshua, where disobedience and involvement with what God has cursed leads to trouble for the whole community. Paul’s message is clear: the church must be vigilant, holding fast to the pure gospel and rejecting any false teachings that could undermine it.

In this message, we consider the matter of the Paul as the servant of Christ versus the accursed servants of another gospel which ministered a perversion of grace.  The essential issue of pleasing men versus pleasing God is explored along with the fleshly and spiritual motivation for service that can be seen the in the contrast of these gospel services.  Paul's passion shines through, for he serves the Lord in the spirit according to God's will and endures all things as the certified servant of the Lord.  The elemental issues of Paul's certification are introduced as we prepare to evaluate his own assurances of the divine origins of his apostleship and gospel.

In this message, we begin to consider the heart of Paul's personal arguments for the message of grace and his distinctive apostleship.  In view of the fact that, as the servant of Christ, Paul does not seek to please men, he endeavors to certify the truth that his apostleship & gospel of grace are of divine origin, not human.  For this, he presents a list of certifications to the Galatians to fully persuade them of the truth of what God has willed to make known by him.  He boldly asserts that his gospel is not after man, for from man he received it not, nor was he taught it by such; rather, his gospel was by the revelation of Jesus Christ Himself.  The pleasure of God through grace is point of clarity by which the Judaizers may be silenced and the Galatians left untroubled if they will give heed to the truth.  This message delves into these areas and sets the stage for the next few messages that will conclude Galatians 1.

In this message, we consider the first point of certification that Paul sets forth in support of his claim that the gospel which he preaches was not received of man, nor taught to him by men.  For this Paul points back to his past time conversation in the Jews' religion.  Through a look at his former religious life it can be demonstrated that he clearly did not receive his gospel from Peter and the little flock, for his former conversation was in persecuting and wasting them in a manner that Paul himself says was "without measure."  He was their enemy, seeking to destroy them; not their follower seeking to be taught by them.  Likewise, his former conversation did not teach him the grace of Christ.  He had been an astute Jew, profiting greatly with the religious accolades of religion; a Pharisee of the Pharisees, and one held in reputation with the fiercest enemies of the name of Jesus.  Paul certainly was not taught his gospel by either authority in Jerusalem.  Rather, it was by revelation of Jesus Christ just as Paul had claimed.  This lesson explores these concepts with a variety of cross-references and seeks to follow Paul's arguments as he contends for the truth of the gospel of Christ and the message of grace committed to his trust.

In this message, we continue looking at Paul's Certifications, especially focusing upon Galatians 1:15 and the due time of Paul's conversion.  A great change was brought to pass in the life of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus; a change that not only altered the course of his life and religion, but also the very dispensation of God toward the world of men.  Understanding this blockbuster event is of paramount importance as we rightly divide the word of truth and in understanding that the gospel which was preached of Paul is not after man, but was committed to his trust by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

In this message, we continue studying the second certified point that Paul raises concerning his claim concerning the divine origin of his gospel.  Having been separated from the Jerusalem program by the appearing of Jesus Christ, Paul explains that he had been called grace to minister what had been the good pleasure of God to reveal concerning His Son.  The revelation of Christ given to Paul unveils the masterstroke of God's genius and brings us to the knowledge of the fullness of Christ.  By the revelation of the mystery, the word of God is fulfilled.  God chose the time, means and man through whom this would be done.  There was no need for man's conference, approval or authorization.  The command was to preach and this is exactly what the Apostle Paul did.  These and others are the topics of consideration in this message.

In this message, we trace Paul's movements immediately following his conversion.  Rather than returning to Jerusalem, the center of spiritual authority in time past, Paul goes rather into Arabia and Damascus.  Why does he make such a move?  What significance does this have in relation to what Jesus Christ gave him to do?  When Paul finally does return to Jerusalem three years later, who does he see and what, if anything, was shared at that time?  Looking for the answers to these questions with a comparison between Galatians 1 and Acts 9, 22 & 26 is the subject of this message.  Paul's long time conduct with respect to Jerusalem is key and a defining certification of the distinctiveness of his apostleship and gospel. 

In this message, we wrap up the final details of Galatians 1 and Paul's certifications concerning the divine origins of his gospel.  Of particular focus in this message is the manner of Paul's contending for the truthfulness of his testimony.  As his manner was, he called God to his witness and affirms the sincerity and truth with which He ministers God's revelation of His Son.  We also briefly tracking with Paul in the regions of Syria and Cilicia and round out the message and the rumors among the churches of Galatian during the time.  All point advance Paul's purpose of demonstrating that the gospel which Paul preached is not after man, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

In this message, we begin laying the foundations of a multi-week examination of the Jerusalem Council recorded in Galatians 2 and Acts 15.  While it is debated whether or not these accounts are describing synonymous events, it seems most likely (at least to Bro. Joshua) that they are indeed the same.  Differing vantage points of Luke and Paul along with the varying audiences to which their writings were catered make it inevitable that differing details would emerge as the most pressing.  Rather than accounts in conflict, it would appear that these are complimentary passages that allow us to attain a wholistic view of an extremely important event that took place during the transitional period of the Acts timeline.  This first message is designed allow the opening verses of Galatians 2 to setup the event within the context of Galatians and open the door for comparison to be made with the Acts account.

In this message, we continue to examine "The Jerusalem Council" by focusing on Paul's companions in travel.  Among them was Barnabas, a man who had connection to both the apostles and the church at Jerusalem as well as the Apostle Paul.  As a member of the little flock and a Levite who had believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ prior to Paul's calling and one who had subsequently travelled with Paul as the gospel began to be published abroad among the Gentiles, Barnabas was in a unique position to be a bridge-maker for the Acts transition from law to grace.  He plays an important roles the Holy Spirit utilizes him to accomplish his transitional purpose in the early stages of Paul's ministry.  Also making the journey to Jerusalem with Paul was Titus, an uncircumcised Greek, but a grace believer and a indisputable case study on the legitimacy of the grace message & Paul's gospel.   When considering the context in which the council meeting comes together, the presence of these men and the importance of it become clear.  This message is devoted to exploring these and other related matters.