Galatians 1, continued
How Paul got the gospel he preached (Galatians 1:11-14)
Was revealed from Jesus ChristPaul knew the Galatians were familiar with his former lifePersecuted and tried to destroy the churchOutdoing his contemporary Jews – more zealousWhy would Paul be such a zealot? Possibly …Not born in Jerusalem – born in TarsusNot born to two Jewish parents – born to a Jew and a Greek with Roman citizenshipBorn with “evil” Roman citizenshipShort – he was not like most Pharisees in JerusalemEast-west divide among JewsHellenistic Jews had a lower standing in many people’s minds than Jews from other areas.So here was Paul – Mister DifferentPaul kicks against the goadsPaul an expert with the Word – Acts 5:34; 22:3He should have known!Present at Stephen’s sermon – used status to approveSide note: Philippian jailer, Paul, and Silas (Acts 16)Paul persecutes – not doubt heard same, but trying to outdo Stephen’s murderersHe was pleasing – outdoing – them while resisting the Holy SpiritHe was advancing beyond his contemporariesBeing exposed to gospel at the same timeGalatians 1:15-17
God knew PaulFrom before his birthUnderstood his character and love for GodPersistenceDedicationZealous natureGod would set Paul apartTo preach the gospel to the GentilesOnce Jesus is revealed to PaulNo longer striving to be best Jew and PhariseeNot any of what he’d previously beenWhere did Paul go?Not Jerusalem!He went there laterPaul’s next move – what would most of us expect?Not consulting with Peter, James, etc.Paul didn’t go to get “trained” or to “intern”Went to ArabiaBack to DamascusSaw no apostlesGalatians 1:18-20
Quite a while in DamascusThen on to JerusalemMet with Cephas/Peter and apostle James (Jesus’ brother)No others – what is that important?Revelation came from Jesus via Holy SpiritWas not trained by apostles, not ordained at JerusalemWhy would he make an oath as to the truth?Affirming all he’d written about thisQuite critical to his apostleshipIt was realJesus had given authority as apostleGalatians 1:21-24
As read in Acts 9:25-30 and Galatians 1:21Fled JerusalemTaken to CaesareaMoved on to Tarsus – capital of CiliciaJudean ChristiansCouldn’t recognize him by sightThey knew OF him!Praised God – he was converted and preaching the word
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