Soap box 41-The Gospels in the Galatian Epistle, Part I

Every serious Christian family should be taking steps to obtain a library of tools to build and strengthen that very same family. This is not the cost of having an informed Christian family, but an investment. It is great role making for children. Where ever Moms and Dads place great interest and involvement, this area can have a potential positive influence on the value systems of children.

One of America's great Bible teachers of a past generation is William R. Newell. A recommended book by him is Paul vs Peter or Remarks on Galatians 1 and 2. ( Bible Doctrines Publications, P.O. Box 564 Comstock Park, MI 49321, BDTLB@aol.com )

The Galatian Epistle was written because these churches had a spiritual infection with RTP. Paul was amazed that they were Removed from him that called them into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. This happened when there appeared some that Troubled them and would Pervert the gospel of Christ.

The Galatians had responded to Paul's gospel, which was an invitation to accept a standing in the grace of Christ. Later in the epistle, Paul states that Christ shall profit them nothing ( 5:2 ) but they would become debtors to do the whole law of Moses, if they submit to another gospel that demands circumcision, saying that they had become voided in their fellowship/relationship with Christ (5:4) Then, Paul states that they have fallen (out away) from grace (5:4). At that moment, these Galatians were in a state of jeopardy and judgment.

Sometimes Paul may sound like an Arminian ( Gal. 5:4- 'ye are fallen from grace' ) and at other places sound like a Calvinist (Gal. 6:18-"Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus be with your spirit.') But we must not take sides with either of these two options as many have done. Let us remain followers of Paul. Let us cut a path through the center of any question and remain loyal to the truth of the gospel. Let us remain Pauline. Nothing more and nothing less.

Paul claims to have preached to the Galatians the gospel of Christ. ( 1:8, 2:1) Those who were troubling these Galatians, since Paul had departed, had brought with them another gospel, another gospel of a different kind. Like poking a stick into a puddle of water and stirring up the mud, thus muddying the clear water, this other gospel was perverting the true gospel of Christ. These troublers were turning the real gospel of Christ into something else. They were adding to the message of grace. Instead of having the gospel of grace and much more, this 'other' gospel actually gave them less than the real gospel of Christ, which ironically 'adds up to' nothing.

These troublers were to be accursed by a two-fold standard. First, they were not preaching the gospel that 'which we have preached unto you (Galatians)' and second, they were not preaching the same gospel 'that ye (Galatians) have received' ( already). ( 1:8,9)

Paul had warned the Corinthians also about 'another' gospel. I Cor. 11:4

"For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."

As a servant of Christ, Paul makes known the distinctive character of the gospel which he preached. First, the gospel was not after man. Paul did not have a gospel that was horizontal in relationship. He did not receive it from man, nor was he taught it by man.

Paul received his gospel through revelation of Jesus Christ. ( 1:11-12) This emphasizes a vertical relationship. The beginnings of this revelation was on the Damascus Road. Paul then relates his past, ( 1:13-14). He now refers to a call by grace, to reveal God's son in Paul, in order that he might preach him ( the son ) among the heathen or nations.(1:15-16)

Paul's apostleship was not of man, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God. ( 1:1) His gospel was not after man, neither received or taught by man, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ (1:11-12) His ministry was distinct, without man's endorsement, not conferring with flesh and blood, neither going up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before him: but went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.(1:16-17)

In seeking to show his independent calling and ministry, Paul relates his limited relationship to Jerusalem and apostles who are connected with it. He continues in 1:18-19, that after three years he does go up to Jerusalem to see Peter and was with him for fifteen days. But, other apostles he did not see, except James, the Lord's brother.

In 1:21-23, Paul relates how he was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: but they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. Paul did not need a revelation through/by Jesus Christ to know and understand the message/gospel that was being preached by Stephen and the others nor to now accept that message. The key to these verses depends on how we recognize and understand that the churches in Judaea were limited in their knowledge about Paul. Their limitations were expressed to only hearing this : "The one persecuting us ( those of Judaea ) in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed."

Again, this is brought forward to indicate that Paul's ministry was not like the other apostles ministering in Judaea, but rather, Paul was in the regions of Syria and Cilicia. (1:21 )

These churches in Judaea only knew that Paul was now preaching the faith which once he destroyed. Keep in mind, that Paul now accepted that which he once rejected. But that is not all of the story. Paul now is brought up to the knowledge of Peter and the others. There is more. Paul is to be a special agent ( an Apostle ) ( another Apostle ) (a new Apostle). He will confirm all that has been rejected previously. But, he will preach new truth and new revelation, unknown at that time to other Apostles like Peter.

In II Timothy 2:8, Paul says, Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel. Paul makes the point that the One he preaches and teaches about, is the same one that Peter preaches about as related to the Davidic line who was raised from the dead. But this is Paul's starting point and in a sense is Peter's ending point.

Leon Tucker in his Studies in Romans gives us this helpful contrast :

Romans 1:1-5	Romans 16:25-26
The Gospel of God, verse 1	According to "my Gospel" verse 25
Promised by the Prophets, verse 2	According to "revelation",verse 25
Promised beforehand (no secret) verse 2	A mystery "kept secret" verse 25
Always manifest, verse 3	"Now made manifest", verse 25
Concerning His Son, verse 3	Concerning His body, the church Eph 3:3-9
By prophecy committed to one nation verse 3	By preaching declared to all nations verse 26
His resurrection out from among the dead ( see Greek) verse 4	The resurrection and Translation of the church out from among the dead I Thes 4:14-17; Phil. 3:11

This simple chart shows the distinctions with in the Bible while showing the connections. Some years ago, there was an insurance company called the Fireman's Fund Insurance, which had an advertisement with the picture of a fireman's hat. But they also sold many other types of insurance. If you were a sailor or a fisherman, they would put on the sailor hat, to sell you boat insurance. If you were in sports, they could put on the hat that matched your need, a golfing hat, a baseball cap, a football helmet, etc.

Paul, in his teaching ministry, shows how the Lord is related to all the Bible. His emphasis is the Lord's relationships, Then and Now. Paul shows what 'hat' the Lord is wearing, Then in relation to Israel and what 'hat' he is wearing in his relationship Now with his church, which is his body.

There is a connection with all the teachings in all the Bible, but there are also the distinctions with in all the teachings in all the Bible. To teach and preach the Pauline gospel, is to preach and teach all the Bible, rightly divided.

So, we see that Paul preaches the faith/teachings that he once was destroying PLUS the ADDED teachings given to him by revelation of/from the Lord Jesus Christ who spoke from Glory. These are equally parts of the totality of the truth found in the Bible, but are also distinctly separate.

To Be Continued…..

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