Galatians - 1:11-24 - No Other Gospel

Galatia, a Roman province in modern-day central Turkey. Paul visited cities there on his 1st missionary journey (46-48 A.D.) with Barnabas. (See Acts 13-14.) Paul's letter to the Galatians was written as early as 49 A.D. Or as late as mid-50s A.D. At that time, the church consisted almost exclusively Jewish converts. But Paul's ministry was primarily to lead Gentiles to Christ. Some Jews conspired against Paul & followed him from city to city to try to force Gentile converts to follow OT Law.

These Judaizers were saying that Jesus was not enough; they wanted to add circumcision and OT legalism. Paul said if you do that you are deserting Jesus and turning to a false gospel. Paul will declare that Christians are set free from OT law and the power of sin. The letter to the Galatians has been called the charter of Christian freedom.

Jesus + nothing = EVERYTHING

Galatians 1:11-12 Paul's thesis statement through the end of the chapter.

The message that Paul preached to them about Jesus was not man-made. "No one gave nor taught it to me." I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ (as the source). Or, may mean, Jesus himself was revealed to Paul.

If man had made up a gospel, it would have been man-centered and -glorifying. The gospel is God-centered and God-glorifying. It shows God being divine - unconditionally, unrelentingly loving us and willingly sacrificing himself for us.

God is the Gospel - in love, He gave the gift of Himself - John Piper

Paul's case: the gospel he preached was from Christ alone. vv. 13-14 Paul before conversion vv. 15-16a The revelation of Jesus to Paul vv. 16b-24 After Paul's conversion

Paul will show that only Jesus influenced the message of his preaching, specifically not the apostles in Jerusalem.

vv. 13-14. Paul was committed to annihilating the church. Paul was committed to Judaism and to being a Pharisee. "Traditions of my fathers" is probably reference to the "oral law". Added to the teachings of Judaism extensive rules that set the Pharisees apart. vv. 15-16a Paul quotes from Jeremiah, OT prophet called by God. Paul likely saw his ministry as comparable to Jeremiah's - and even a culmination f the prophet's work.

If God set Paul apart at birth for this ministry of taking the gospel to the Gentiles,

Paul's former life was lived in opposition to God’s will, he still claims that his entire life is part of the sovereign plan of God. Paul's former life did not overcome God's calling on his life.

The gospel is "greater than all our sin."

Notice: who is the subject of Paul's life before his conversion? I persecuted… tried to destroy… I was advancing… and was extremely zealous.

Who is the subject of Paul's life after his conversion? God, who set me apart... called... was pleased... revealed his son.

There is a change of focus and a change of leadership in the life of a believer. All people tend to think of themselves first and foremost, but to believers, God has shown a better way. Jesus calls and says "let me lead you, let me take charge of your life." The wise man says, "Lord, you know better than me." Our worst regrets were when we knew we should listen to God but didn't. We have all learned when I am at my best is when I am in obedience to The Lord.

The gospel is greater than any other calling.

Galatians 1:16b-24 After his conversion he went to Arabia for 3 years, consulting no one. He traveled to Jerusalem, stayed with Peter 15 days and saw James, Jesus' brother Then to Syria and Cilicia, north of Judea - not near the other apostles.

Vv. 23-24 The revelation of Jesus changed Paul's life 180 degrees. The gospel alone has the power to change your life