Paul's Authority (Galatians 1)

Who was Paul? Why did Peter recognize his authority? Did he contradict or complement the teachings of Jesus about the law? Is there a difference between physical and spiritual circumcision? What defines true righteousness, the letter of the law or faith? How do we receive the Holy Spirit, by doing the works of the Law or by believing what we hear? Are the real children of Abraham those who put their faith in God? Are we God’s children through faith in Christ Jesus? Did Paul question the celebration of certain days, months, seasons, and years? What about food laws? Does trying to be made righteous by the Law make us estranged from Christ? What are deeds of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit? How should we try to restore a wayward friend? Let’s discuss all these issues in the book of Galatians.

Galatians 1 Paul’s Authority

Galatia was a geographical area in the middle of modern Turkey. The letter to the churches in Galatia describes a problem that still exists today, how they had fallen backwards from the grace of the Gospel into outward works of the law.

Thus, the theme of Galatians is justification by faith in Christ’s death and resurrection, apart from the works of the Mosaic Law. Do we differentiate between the outward works of the law like circumcision, sabbaths and food laws versus good works of obedience to Christ?

Were Paul’s claims and his writings recognized by the church? Were the Galatians being deceived into a false gospel? Let’s find out in Galatians 1.

Who ordained Paul? Would his credentials upset church leaders today?

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. (Galatians 1:1 NLT)

Paul’s claims were thoroughly vetted by the other apostles and his writings were recognized by the church as inspired scripture (2 Peter 3:15-16)? Would anyone making a claim to ministry today, similarly have to either be accepted or rejected by an orthodox (or right teaching) church community? Were others with him as he wrote?

and from all the brothers and sisters with me. To the churches in Galatia. (Galatians 1:2 CEB Acts 14:20-22)

This is a very abrupt greeting. They had fallen away from the truth. Nevertheless does Paul begin with a blessing?

I pray that God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace! (Galatians 1:3 CEV)

Paul’s prayer is for grace or kindness, and peace or wholeness. Why did Jesus give Himself?

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. (Galatians 1:4-5 ESV)

Does Paul get right down to business? What was the issue?

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-7 KJV)

How serious is Paul about this problem?

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him! (Galatians 1:8-9 HCSB)

Should church leaders preach to please people or God? Does this mean that Godly preaching will sometimes anger people?

For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10 NASB)

How did Paul receive the Gospel?

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11-12 NIV)

How zealous was Paul once of the law and its associated traditions?

For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. (Galatians 1:13 NKJV)

What changed in Paul?

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. 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. (Galatians 1:15-17 NLT)