The Birth Of A New Man Series

The Birth of a New Man

Galatians 1:13-24

In our text today, Paul is very candid about the man he was prior to Christ, and the miraculous transformation he experienced through coming to Christ in salvation. One who hated the Lord and His church, was brought to saving faith and called to be an apostle in order to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. There are many accounts of men being transformed in Christ, but few, if any, rival the transformation of Paul.

While our stories are much different than that of Paul, each born-again believer stands as a miracle of grace. The Lord came to us in our sin, being separated from God and in danger of eternal judgment. Through His abundant grace, we were drawn to Him through the leading of the Holy Spirit, confessing our sin and believing in the finished work of Christ to secure our salvation. Like Paul, one who was unworthy and condemned was shown grace and reborn in Christ. The old man of sin perished and a new creation was raised unto eternal life. 2 Cor.5:17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

As we discuss the details within the passage that Paul reveals about his miraculous transformation, I want to consider: The Birth of a New Man. First, we discover:

I. Paul: The Pharisee (13-14) – Here Paul described the life he lived prior to Christ. He is not boasting in his sin, but humbly revealing the transforming grace of God. He mentioned:

A. His Persecution of the Church (13) – For ye have heard of my conversation (conduct, behavior) in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it. Paul speaks of the life he lived prior to coming to Christ in salvation. He was very zealous in Judaism, striving to keep the law and live according to the traditions and rituals of the Jews. Due to his zealous commitment to Judaism, like most Pharisees, Paul rejected Jesus as the Christ and hated those who shared the gospel.

He was determined to do all he could to hinder the spread of Christianity through persecuting the church. His committed persecution was “beyond measure,” exceedingly harsh. He admits that he had participated in “wasting the church.” This has the idea of “destroying, ravaging, laying waste.” Paul was not satisfied with discouraging believers; he was determined to utterly destroy the church and completely stop the spread of the gospel.

B. His Ambition for Advancement (14) – And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. Paul further reveals his commitment to Judaism and desire to destroy the church. He was on the fast-track to success and ultimate leadership among the Jews. He was held in high esteem by his peers and exceeded many of them in being committed to the cause. Paul would have been the “poster boy” for recruiting young men to embrace and advance the cause of Judaism. He was among the most zealous in keeping the traditions of former generations. Philip.3:5-6 – Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

It is evident that in Paul’s day, few would have excelled beyond him in Judaism. His commitment was without question. His revealing this was not to boast, but to set the stage for what he described in the verses that follow. One who was zealous of the law and traditions of the fathers would encounter the risen Christ and experience a complete transformation. John R. W. Stott writes: “Now a man in that mental and emotional state is in no mood to change his mind, or even to have it changed for him by men.… Only God could reach him-and God did!” (i)

II. Paul: The Preacher (15-24) – Here Paul described his life following his encounter with Christ on the Damascus Road. He immediately was transformed from a zealous Pharisee and defender of Judaism, to a zealous Preacher and proclaimer of the gospel. He described:

A. A Divine Encounter (15-16) – His encounter with the risen Christ was not of little consequence for Paul. His life was radically changed in an instant. Consider:

1. His Conversion (15-16a) – But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16a To reveal his Son in me…Paul revealed his conversion to Christ with simple terms, but it was not an insignificant event. His conversion to faith in Christ was planned and orchestrated of God. In fact, Paul declared that it pleased God to reveal His Son in him. While Paul was unaware, God had a plan for him prior to his birth. He had been separated unto the Lord while he was yet within his mother’s womb. God had ordained the salvation of Paul, calling him by His grace.