1:10-24
Let’s take this as one longer section.
If the gospel was a human work, invented or imagined by humans, then it would fine wide and general acceptance from humans. If any preacher was attempting to please their hearers preaching a human gospel is a sure way to achieve this goal. Before Paul became a Christian he responded to those Christians who preached the gospel with hatred and anger, he persecuted the church. A revelation of God’s grace through the gospel will give rise to hatred and violence.
Why do you think the gospel produces a response of violent rejection?
Paul insists that the gospel he preaches is not a human gospel. He defends this by assuring his readers of the origins of his gospel. Paul was not taught by any human, he did not learn the gospel from those were apostles before him. Paul received the gospel of Jesus Christ, from Jesus Christ, by revelation.
If God had not graciously chosen to make the gospel known then no human could have learned it – we could never work out or imagine a god who would be so gracious towards us. One implication of revelation is that we receive the gospel as it is, we do not then have liberty to change the gospel to suit ourselves or our friends. (see 1:6-9). The correct response to revelation is humble gratitude – we acknowledge that God did not need to reveal anything to us but has graciously chosen to reveal his gospel and with thanksgiving we accept the offer of the gospel that there is good news for us from God about our living together with God. (More about what the gospel is later in Galatians).
Why do you think revelation is important? What evidence do you think there is that God has revealed the gospel to us?
Can you imagine how great a challenge a converted Paul must have been to the church in Jerusalem and Judea ? Paul had never persecuted anyone in Galatia , it was easier for them to accept him, but what about that Christian widow in Jerusalem
Who do you find it difficult to glorify God because of them and their service? What is it in the gospel that enables us to welcome one another, whatever our background or previous life?
1 comment:
‘A revelation of Jesus Christ’(Galatians 1:12) – This is what the Gospel is all about. Christ is the Gospel. Without Him, there is no Gospel. What was Paul’s testimony? What did he preach to others? – God ‘was pleased to reveal His Son in order that I might preach Him…’ (Galatians 1:15-16). We have no other testimony. We have no other message. Christ is our Testimony. Christ is our Message. Paul’s conversion, Paul’s preaching – All of this comes from a very long time ago. So much has changed. Things are so different now. We listen to this kind of talk and we wonder, ‘Is the Gospel still relevant?’. Should we not leave Christ in the past and ‘get on with living in today’s world?’.We listen to the world’s talk and we are filled with doubts. Listen to God’s Word: ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever’(Hebrews 13:8).
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