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Galatians
BC Weekly Digest Monday, May 31 1999 In this issue: Galatians 1:1 Galatians 1:1 Galatians 1:6,7 Galatians 1:8,9 Galatians 1:10 Galatians 1:1 Galatians 1:1 1 Paul, an apostle (neither from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead) == Much has been made regarding the authenticity of Paul's apostleship. There can be no doubt that this office was vested upon him by Jesus Christ and that both his duties and authority were no less than the other apostles. We are unsure as to the exact age of Paul when he was called by Jesus there on the road to Damascus, but it can be rightly assumed that he was a full grown man since he had been empowered by the Jewish counsel of Jerusalem (the Sanhedrin) to arrest Christians and incarcerate them for further punishment and even death. He was described as a "young man" who watched the clothes of those who stoned Stephen (Acts 7:58). Paul had been trained at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). The import here is that Paul had been educated for most of his young life at the feet of this highly respected rabbi and grandson of Hillel. This would have most likely been from the age of ten or so until he reached manhood near the age of twenty. He had most likely been in Jerusalem since early childhood as was the custom of the rabbinical schools and he was most likely less that ten years younger that Jesus. This would have placed him in Jerusalem near the time of Jesus' presence there during His three year ministry prior to His crucifixion. Though some have postulated that Paul returned to Tarsus before Jesus began His Judean ministry, it would still be possible that Paul, a devout Jew, might have seen Jesus when he went to Jerusalem to observe the holy days of Judaism each year following his maturity as an adult, but we do not know this for certain. A possible, but inconclusive, reference to Paul having seen Jesus is 2 Corinthians 5:16. "Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know [him so] no more" (ASV). Two statements in the letter are thought by some to indicate that Paul had problems with his eyesight: he had preached to them the first time because of some infirmity (Gal 4:13); and he says they would have been willing to pluck out their own eyes for him (Gal 6:11). But this remains in the realm of speculation. Paul was chosen by the Lord as an apostle with a special mission. The Lord told Ananias when he was sent to Paul: "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15 ASV). Howard Justice ------------------------------ Galatians 1:1 Galatians 1:1 The question has been submitted: "Several years ago I heard that Paul may have been married because to be a member of the Sanhedrin one had to be married. Is this true?" Various commentators have suggested for various reasons that Paul might have been married at one time, and that his wife had died before he became a Christian. In his letter to the Corinthians Paul says: "Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that. But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I" (1 Cor 7:7,8 ASV). At the time he wrote this, in any case, Paul was not married. This was by choice on his part. He felt he could serve God with greater freedom and dedication if he remained unmarried. He viewed the ability to remain unmarried as a special gift from God, however, and recommended marriage for those who did not have this gift (verses 2 and 9). Although this would not completely exclude the possibility that Paul was a widower who had decided not to remarry after his wife's death, it is more likely that he had made the decision to remain single when he was a young man. Paul also says: "Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?" (1 Cor 9:5 ASV). Paul did not have a wife, although he affirms that he had a right to marry if he wished to do so. According to a secondary source, a standard work on the Sanhedrin by Selden (De Synedriis et Praefecturis Jurid. Vet. Hebr.) states that one had to be married and the father of children to be a member of the Sanhedrin, or in any case, to be qualified to pronounce sentence on capital crimes. I do not know Selden's source, but his qualification of the general rule indicates that it was not a universal requirement. Relative to the question at hand, however, it is never stated in Scripture that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin. Although the witnesses who stoned Stephen laid their garments at the feet of Saul, he is called a "young man" in Acts 7:58 which would normally disqualify him. He could have easily been among those who took Stephen to the Sanhedrin, rather than a member of the council (see Acts 6:8-15). Although Paul does say in Galatians 1:13 "I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen" he does not say he was a member of the Sanhedrin. In Acts 22:4,5 Paul says: "And I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished" (NKJV). Paul was authorized by the Jewish elders to extend his persecution to Damascus, but nothing in this statement indicates that Paul himself was a member of the Sanhedrin. Roy Davison ------------------------------ Galatians 1:6,7 Galatians 1:6,7 (OPV) 6 I am surprised that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel, 7 which is not another [gospel], only there are some who are confusing you, and wanting to pervert the gospel of Christ. === 1:6 "I am surprised that you are so quickly turning away" Christians can turn away from God. The Scriptures contain many examples and warnings. Jesus said some would fall away: "And those on the rock [are] they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away" (Luke 8:13 ASV). He also warned: "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away" (John 15:2 ASV; compare with Revelation 2:4,5) and "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned" (John 15:6 ASV). "Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off" (Romans 11:22 ASV). Paul gives several examples and warnings in his letters to Timothy (1 Timothy 1:5,6,18,19; 4:1; 5:8,11-15; 6:9,10,20,21; 2 Timothy 2:16-18). Hebrews also contains many warnings against falling away (Hebrews 2:1, 3:6,12- 14; 4:11; 6:4-6; 10:26-29,35-39; 12:15,25; 13:9). We must try to save those who have "wandered away from the truth" (James 5:19,20). Peter speaks of some who leave the right way (2 Peter 2:15) and compares those who "have escaped from the defilements of the world" but then later "turn back from the holy commandment" to dogs eating their own vomit (2 Peter 2:20-22). He warns his readers to "beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own steadfastness" (2 Peter 3:17). A preacher of an evangelical church told me it was impossible for a Christian to be lost. He later deserted his wife and four children, and was living in adultery. Yet another preacher in his group assured me that he was still saved! They who claim a Christian can never fall away, have a large blind spot for the word of God! 1:6 "From Him who called you in the grace of Christ" The grace of Christ is a powerful call by God for sinners to repent and be saved. Paul himself had been called through the grace of God (verse 15). Paul assured the Corinthians: "God is faithful, through whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor 1:9 ASV). This call is based on God's plan of salvation before the foundation of the world: "the gospel according to the power of God; who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal" (2 Tim 1:8,9 ASV; compare with Rom 8:29,30 and 2 Thes 2:13,14). "To the end that ye should walk worthily of God, who calleth you into his own kingdom and glory" (1 Thes 2:12 ASV). "Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it" (1 Thes 5:24 ASV). But the Galatians were listening to false teachers rather than the call of God, as Paul mentions again later: "You were running well; who hindered you that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion is not from Him who calls you" (Galatians 5:7,8 OPV). 1:6,7 "To a different gospel, which is not another [gospel]" Although Paul refers to this false teaching as a "different gospel" he hastens to explain that there is only one real gospel. Anything different is not a gospel at all. In our own time, the world is full of 'twisted gospels'. This is certainly 'bad news' rather than 'good news' (the word 'gospel' means 'good news'). 1:7 "Only there are some who are confusing you, and wanting to pervert the gospel of Christ" Many people are confused today by thousands of false doctrines taught in the name of Christ. The solution is simple: a return to the one gospel revealed in the New Testament. Roy Davison ------------------------------ Galatians 1:8,9 Galatians 1:8,9 (OPV) 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach any gospel to you other than what we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 And now, as we have said before, I am saying again: If anyone preaches any gospel to you other than what you received, let him be accursed. === 1:8 "Even if we or an angel from heaven" The gospel is not of human or even angelic origin, but is from God. They who communicated it were merely servants of God to make His will known. As Peter explains: "And we have the word of prophecy [made] more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:19-21 ASV). The gospel is not subject to change. As Jude says: "Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints" (Jude 1:3 ASV). The Christian faith was delivered once for all. It cannot be changed, even by an apostle or an angel! Once when I was going from door to door in Harlem in The Netherlands, a Pentecostal lady said an angel had told her she did not need to be baptized. I do not know what she might have seen or heard. But if it was an angel, according to Paul, it was an accursed angel! Nor may the gospel be changed by a Pope, council, synod, bishop, theologian, professor or preacher. They who want to change the gospel usually have some smooth-sounding justification for their change. Either they usurp the authority of Christ and His apostles (such as Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons with their "doctrinal authority"), or they claim to receive "latter day" or "progressive" revelation (such as Pentecostals and Kip McKean's "International Church of Christ"). Certain liberal professors and preachers among churches of Christ claim that we should search for the "intention" and "spirit" of Christ, and not be too concerned about the commands in the New Testament! (They don't like some of the commands.) Common to all these false teachers is that they are not satisfied with the gospel in its original form, but want to change certain things. It does little good to point out to them that what they are doing is not authorized by the New Testament, or even that it is CONTRARY to the New Testament. These people are convinced that their teachings and practices are superior to the New Testament. There are others who sincerely want to preach the gospel in its purity, while making serious mistakes in their understanding of it. For them there is hope, since they may grow in their knowledge of God's word. The bottom line, however, is this: The gospel as originally preached by Christ and His apostles MAY NOT BE CHANGED. The faith has been delivered to the saints once for all. Marshal Keeble, a powerful black evangelist of the former generation who brought thousands to Christ, said specifically in his preaching what was wrong with various denominations. Once after a meeting a big young man stood up and said: "Mister Keeble, you didn't say what was wrong with MY church!" Brother Keeble asked: "What is your church?" He said: "I'm a member of the Latter Day Saints." Brother Keeble said: "Well, if you're a 'Latter Day Saint' you're just too late!" The young man was baptized into the body of Christ a few days later! 1:8 "Should preach any gospel to you other than what we preached to you" 1:9 "Other than what you received" The true gospel had been preached to them and received by them. God has commanded that this gospel be made known to all nations through holy Scriptures. "Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed and through the prophetic writings is made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith -- to the only wise God be glory for evermore through Jesus Christ! Amen" (Romans 16:25-27 RSV). 1:8 "Let him be accursed" 1:9 "Let him be accursed" These statements of Paul are in conflict with the spirit of our age. Tolerance is supposed to mean that each person has freedom of conscience and freedom to hold, practice, proclaim and defend his beliefs, as long as they are not contrary to public order. In our time, however, "tolerance" has been perverted to mean that one is supposed to accept EVERYTHING AS TRUE, even things that contradict each other! The only thing that is NOT TOLERATED, is someone who says that anything is wrong! Paul pronounces a curse on those who preach anything other than the true gospel of Christ. He does not say this on his own authority. He is simply stating God's view of the matter. And God is the One who has the power to grant blessings and He is the One who knows who is accursed. In our time it is viewed as of little consequence when someone preaches his own 'variety' of the gospel. According to the word of God, however, a perverted gospel causes men to be lost eternally. Those who proclaim something that causes men to be lost, are under a curse themselves. 1:9 "And now, as we have said before, I am saying again" Paul repeats this warning. He wants us to remember how serious it is to pervert the gospel. Roy Davison ------------------------------ Galatians 1:10 Galatians 1:10 (OPV) 10 For am I now seeking approval from men or from God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I would not be a slave of Christ. === 1:10 "Am I now seeking approval from men or from God?" We should all ask ourselves this question. Many people engage in religious "exercises" to please men, with little or no thought as to whether God is pleased. God's approval is gained on a spiritual level, not through hollow outward rituals: "He is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God" (Rom 2:29 ASV). "They that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Rom 8:8 ASV). What could be more rewarding than hearing on the day of judgment: "Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Matt 25:21). 1:10 "Am I trying to please men?" Christ set us an example: "And he that sent me is with me; he hath not left me alone; for I do always the things that are pleasing to him" (John 8:29 ASV). Some people did not like Jesus, but He was not trying to please men. 1:10 "If I were still pleasing men, I would not be a slave of Christ" When Paul became a Christian he became very unpopular with his former fellow Pharisees. No one could claim that Paul's Christianity was for the purpose of gaining approval from men! Because he wanted to please God, he was willing to bear the reproaches of men. Paul was not like certain rulers who rejected Christ for fear of others even though they believed in Him! "Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess [it], lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the glory [that is] of men more than the glory [that is] of God" (John 12:42,43 ASV). "Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk, -- that ye abound more and more" (1 Thes 4:1 ASV). Roy Davison