The Ministry Of Grace And Peace

The Ministry of Grace and Peace Text: Galatians 1:1-10

Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me, 3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Galatians derives its title (pro Galatas) from the region in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) where the churches addressed were located. It is the only one of Paul’s epistles specifically addressed to churches in more than one city. Paul was born in Tarsus, a city not far from Galatia. Under the famous rabbi, Gamaliel, Paul received a thorough training in the OT Scriptures. Paul, was one of first-century Judaism’s rising stars. Paul’s whole course for life took a turn as he was traveling to Damascus from Jerusalem to persecute Christians, he was confronted by the risen, glorified Christ.

Paul turns from Christianity’s chief persecutor to its greatest missionary. Galatians is one of 13 inspired letters he addressed to Gentile congregations or his fellow workers.

Paul wrote Galatians to counter judaizing false teachers who were undermining the central NT doctrine of Justification by faith.

These judaizers taught that ‘one’ had to submit to all Mosaic law before they could become Christians. Shocked by the Galatians’ openness to that damning heresy, Paul wrote this letter to defend justification by faith.

Verse 1, Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),

Christ Himself appointed Paul to be an apostle. An apostle is one sent forth" as an ambassador of the Gospel. An apostle is a minister sent directly by God to do a specific work.

Has Christ called you? Three ways to be sure: 1. An inward witness. 2. Signs and wonders. 3. God’s word bringing enlightenment.

Notice in verse 1 through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),

The greatest evidence that Jesus Christ is the Son of God is the resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15: 12-20NLT But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? 13 For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. 16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.

I think it’s safe to say that, Paul is convinced!

Verse 2, and all the brethren who are with me, Paul’s evidence of being authentic comes with his followers.

None are treated bad or chained, these are free men who took note of genuineness.

Verse 3, Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,

Paul first words comes as, grace to you and peace from God... Paul’s greeting attacked the Judaizers’ legalistic system.

If Salvation is by works as they claimed, it is not of grace and cannot result in peace, because no one can be sure they have enough good works to be eternally secure.