Scripture Lesson: Galatians 1:1-5. INTRODUCTION: It is deeply significant that Paul found no word of praise or commendation for his Galatian brethren. Their instability, their repudiation of his apostolic authority, and their tolerance of a perverted Gospel stirred his heart and filled him with righteous indignation. With a fiery zeal for God and truth, he wrote a scathing denunciation of their apostasy and a strong defence of the Gospel as he had originally delivered it to them. I. THE WRITER, (vs. 1- 20). A. CHARACTERISTIC OF HIS WRITINGS; THIS LETTER OPENS WITH PAUL'S SIGNATURE. 1. He sends it forth, not as a beloved pioneer missionary who had planted so many churches among them, but as "an apostle, (not of men, neither by men, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, Who raised him from the dead)". 2. The Galatians had no sentimental attachments to Him, who had labored so faithfully among them, but they must RESPECT his authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ. B. AN APOSTLE IS "ONE SENT FORTH" -- AN AMBASSADOR. 1. The New Testament usage of the word suggests a person endowed with specific qualities for the express purpose of promoting the unity and maturity of the Lord's church. 2. Apostleship is a gift of Christ, and the Holy Spirit, to the infant church. 3. It was the first of the spiritual gifts to be set in the already-existing church, (1 Corinthians 12:28). C. APOSTLESHIP COULD BE BESTOWED ON~ BY DIVINE AUTHORITY. 1. There is abundant evidence to suggest that Paul considered Peter's action, leading to the selection of Matthias for the office vacated by Judas, as hasty, rash and unjustified, (Acts 1:15-26). 2. After all, the Head of the church had already ascended to heaven -- having commanded them to "wait" -- and the Holy Spirit had not yet come to endue them with power and lead them into all truth. a. There is no indication that Divine approval was ever placed on the action. b. Some two years later, God placed His hand an Paul for the office of apostleship; he mightily vindicated the wisdom of this action by a life of Christian leadership with which no other is worthy to be compared. 3. Paul appears to have been appalled at the thought that men would PRESUME to become administrators of the divine will on earth; he constantly emphasized the fact that his apostleship was NOT by the selection, choice or approval of men. D. IN ALMOST EVERY EPISTLE PAUL STRESSED THE FACT THAT HIS APOSTLESHIP WAS: 1. "By Jesus Christ", (Acts 9:6; 20:24; 22:10, 15, 21; 26:16; Romans 1:51 Tim. 1:1; Titus 1:3). 2. By "God the Father", (I Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor.1:1; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 2 Tim. 1:1; Rom. 1:10; 2 Cor. 8:5). 3. Based on the authority of Him that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, (Acts 13:30, 33-34, 37; 17:31; Rom. 4:24-27; 6:4; 8:11; 10:9; 1 Cor. 6:14; 2 Cor. 4:14; Eph. 1:20; Col. 2:12; 1Thes. 1:10; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 1:21). E. HAVING PLEASED THE FATHER IN ALL THINGS, JESUS WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD TO ENTER UPON A NEW WORK (John 5:27). 1. This included direction of the affairs of the church, and headship overall things in her behalf, (Eph. 4:8; 1:22-23). 2. By this same authority He calls, qualifies and establishes men in the Gospel ministry to this very day. F. THOUGH AN APOSTLE OF CHRIST WITH OUTSTANDING CREDENTIALS OF AUTHORITY, PAUL DID NOT EXALT HIMSELF ABOVE THOSE WHO LABORED WITH HIM. 1. He included in his greeting "a1l the brethren which are with me", (vs. 2; phil. 4:21-22). 2. He offered no encouragement to such as would usurp authority over their brethren, (Matt. 23.8; 20:20-28). 3. There were even times when he labored with his own hands to provide for his fellow-helpers in the truth--not willing to be burdensome or chargable to any. 4. By word and deed he labored more abundantly than all the other apostles -- magnifying his office, (1 Cor. 15:10; Rom. 11:13). 5. He knew that the grace of apostleship had not been bestowed because of any merit of his own. 6. Throughout life he stood in constant awe that such grace had been bestowed on him -- the "chief" of sinners. II. THE ADDRESSEES, (vs. 2b). A. THIS LETTER IS ADDRESSFD "UNTO THE CHURCHES OF GALATIA". 1. There appears to have been several churches in this province of Asia Minor at the time Paul wrote this letter, (1 Cor. 16:1; Acts 18.23; 1 Peter 1:1). 2. All the Galatian churches seem to have been affected by certain seducers who had infiltrated them -- turning them away fram a walk of spiritual liberty in Christ Jesus, and poisoning the relationship that had existed between them and the faithful apostle. B. THE PLURALITY OF CHURCHES IN GALATIA EMPHASIZES THE INSANITY OF INSISTING ON A UNIVERSAL, INVISIBLE CHURCH COMPOSED OF ALL THE SAVED. 1. No passage in the New Testament will substantiate such a teaching. 2. But, characteristic of those who revolt against the divine order, its proponents seem to feel of Scriptural precedent or authorization for their devilish schemes and philosophies. III. THE GREETING, (vs. 3-5). A. THE CONTENTS OF THE GREETING. Though about to upbraid their instability and departure from the faith, Paul does not withhold an expression of His deep desire for their spiritual welfare. "Grace be to you (Romans 1:7; 2 John 3; 2 Peter 1:2), and peace", experienced only in believmg, "from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ". Both Father and Son are involved in our "peace", and guarantee it to such as meet the condition on which it may be bestowed. B. THE SOURCE OF BLESSINGS THAT HE INVOKES. 1. To provide a basis for peace, Jesus Christ "gave himself for our sins". 2. For our offences the "Lamb of God" was delivered up to death, (John 1:29; Rom. 4:25); thus, giving Himself "a ransom for us all", (1 Tim. 2:6). 3. Though endowed with inestimable riches, Jesus Christ became poor that we, through His poverty, might be enriched-- finishing the work that He came to accomplish, (2 Cor. 8:9; Jn. 19:30). 4. "According to the will of God and our Father," Christ has made every necessary provision for our deliverance "from this present evil world (age)." a. The world-system governing the age in which we live is evil, (John 15:18-19; 17:14-16; 1 John 5:19). b. Until the return of Christ, it wi1l be characterized by increasing lawlessness, (Matt. 24:12; 2 Peter 3:3; 2 Thes. 2: 1:14; Dan. 11:36-45). c. God's people must constantly struggle with this evil condition clear on down to the end of the age, (Dan. 7:24-27; Rev. 13:1-9; 2 Tim. 3:12; Acts 14:22; 1 Cor. 15:19; 1 Thes. 3:1-4; Romans 8:18). d. The condition described as existing at the time of Christ's return can only be an outgrowth of a well-conducted and long-sustained program of evil, (Lk. 18:8; 17:26-30; 2 Tim. 3:l-5; Jude 17-19). C. PAUL'S DOXOLOGY. 1. Paul ends his greeting to the Galatians by ascribing eternal glory to the Heavenly Father, (comp Eph. 1:11-12; Rom. 11:36). 2. In view of Christ's abundant provision, we have a weighty responsibility to escape the corruption that is in the world "through lust"; we ought to consecrate ourselves to a life of VICTORY IN JESUS for the glory of God, (2 Pet. 1:4; 2:18-20; Romans 12:2). "To God be the glory, great things He hath done, So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the life-gate that all may go in. Praise the Lord, Praise the. Lord, Let the earth hear His voice: Praise. the Lord, Praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice 0 come to the Father, through Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory, great things He hath done." -- Fannie J. Crosby QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 1. With what authority does Paul write this letter? 2. Where did he receive this authority? 3. Who exercises absolute authority over the church? 4. To whom was this letter addressed? 5. What is significant about such an address? 6. What was Paul's attitude toward the Galatians? 7. Of what provision does he remind them? 8. What condition must God's people face throughout this age? 9. What is Paul's greatest desire? 10. Considering our blessings, how ought we to live? |
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