Divine Origins

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January 18, 2009 - Galatians 1:11-24

Open It

  1. What personal accomplishment makes you feel proud?

  2. If you could teach yourself a new hobby, skill, or line of work, what would you choose?

  3. What kind of recognition do you want for the work you do?

Explore It

  1. What gospel did Paul preach? (1:11-12)

  2. What did Paul try to establish by bringing up his personal history? (1:13-14)

  3. Before his conversion, what was Paul's approach to Judaism? (1:14)

  4. What three things did God do for Saul when he intervened in his life? (1:15-16)

  5. How did Paul emphasize that his conversion and calling were none of his own doing? (1:15-16)

  6. What did Paul do after his conversion? (1:16-17)

  7. How did Paul form his theology? (1:16-17)

  8. How long did Paul wait before going to Jerusalem? (1:18)

  9. How much time did Paul spend with Peter? (1:18)

  10. While in Jerusalem, which other apostle did Paul meet? (1:19)

  11. Why did Paul want his readers to know how limited his relationship was to the apostles? (1:18-19)

  12. What did Paul say to confirm the truth of his testimony? (1:20)

  13. How was Paul's ministry clearly not under the authority or oversight of the Jerusalem church? (1:21-22)

  14. What was reported to the Judean churches about Paul? (1:23-24)

Get It

  1. Why did the Galatian church have misgivings about Paul and his message?

  2. Why was it important for Paul to establish the independent nature of his ministry?

  3. By what criteria did Paul establish his apostleship?

  4. What kind of support does your pastor receive from members of your congregation?

  5. What kind of support should a pastor receive from members of the congregation?

  6. Paul had a clear and unique sense of his calling; how do you feel about God's imprint on your life?

  7. Paul knew what God wanted him to do with his life; to what line of service has God called you?

  8. Why did the Judean churches praise God when they heard the report about Paul?

  9. What are your "before and after" conversion pictures like?

  10. How has God changed you so far?

Apply It

  1. What change do you want to make in your life this week to reflect your walk by faith?

  2. What kind of prayer and Bible study this week would most help you in your witness to others?

Notes

Galatians 1:11ff: Why should the Galatians have listened to Paul instead of the Judaizers? Paul answered this implicit question by furnishing his credentials: his message was received directly from Christ (Galatians 1:12); he had been an exemplary Jew (Galatians 1:13-14); he had had a special conversion experience (Galatians 1:15-16; see also Acts 9:1-9); he had been confirmed and accepted in his ministry by the other apostles (Galatians 1:18-19; Galatians 2:1-9). Paul also presented his credentials to the Corinthian and Philippian churches (2 Cor. 11-12; Phil. 3:4-9).

Galatians 1:12: We do not know the details of this revelation. Paul is referring to something other than his experience on the road to Damascus. His point is that his words are more than his own speculations or ideas.

Galatians 1:13-14: Paul had been one of the most religious Jews of his day, scrupulously keeping the law and relentlessly persecuting Christians (see Acts 9:1-2). Before his conversion Paul had been even more zealous for the law than the Judaizers. He had surpassed his contemporaries in religious knowledge and practice. Paul had been sincere in his zeal-but wrong. When he met Jesus Christ, his life changed. He then directed all his energies toward building up the Christian church.

1:14 The word Judaism refers not only to nationality but also to religion. To be fully Jewish, a person must have descended from Abraham. In addition, a faithful Jew adhered to the Jewish laws. Gentiles (Galatians 1:16) are non-Jews, whether in nationality or religion. In Paul's day, Jews thought of all Gentiles as pagans. Jews avoided Gentiles, believing that contact with Gentiles brought spiritual corruption. Although Gentiles could become Jews in religion by undergoing circumcision and by following Jewish laws and customs, they were never fully accepted.

Many Jews had difficulty understanding that God's message is for Jews and Gentiles alike. Some Jews thought that Gentiles had to become Jews before they could become Christians. But God planned to save both Jews and Gentiles. He had revealed this plan through Old Testament prophets (see, for example, Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 66:19), and he had fulfilled it through Jesus Christ; he was proclaiming it to the Gentiles through Paul.

Galatians 1:15-24: Because God was guiding his ministry, Paul wasn't doing anything that God hadn't already planned and given him power to do. Similarly, God told Jeremiah that God had called him, even before he was born, to do special work for God (Jeremiah 1:5). God knows you intimately as well, and he chose you to be his even before you were born (see Psalm 139). He wants you to draw close to him and to fulfill the purpose he has for your life.

1:15-24 Paul tells of his conversion to show that his message came directly from God. God commissioned him to preach the Good News to the Gentiles. After his call, Paul did not consult with anyone; instead he spent three years in Arabia. Then he spoke with Peter and James, but he had no other contact with Jewish Christians for several more years. During those years, Paul preached to the Gentiles the message God had given him. His Good News did not come from human insight; it came from God.

1:18 This was Paul's first visit to Jerusalem as a Christian, as recorded in Acts 9:26-30.

1:21 Because of opposition in Jerusalem (see Acts 9:29-30), Paul had gone to Syria and Cilicia. In those remote areas, he had no opportunity to receive instruction from the apostles.

1:24 Paul's changed life had brought praise from those who saw him or heard about him. His new life had astonished them. They had praised God because only God could have turned this zealous persecutor of Christians into a Christian himself. We may not have had as dramatic a change as Paul, but still our new lives should honor God in every way. When people look at you, do they recognize that God has made changes in you? If not, perhaps you are not living as you should.

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