Galatians #2 The Biographical Argument- Independent Revelation, 1:11-24.

Galatians #2

The Biographical Argument-

Independent Revelation,

1:11-24

Galatians 1:11-24, Biographical Argument: Independent Revelation

The Particulars:

>Person writing- Paul, 1:1

>People written- Galatians (probably thesouthern province), 1:2

>Period of writing- A.D. 48 or 49

The Purpose:

>Protest letter to rebuke, chastise, andcorrect the Galatian brethren

regarding the binding of Old Testament Law on New Testament Christians (particularly Gentile converts).


What is meant by “Biographical Argument” ?

Simply that Paul is going to argue against the proposition of binding Old TestamentLaw on New Testament Christians first fromthe standpoint of His own experience.

What is meant by “Independent Revelation” ?

Paul is seeking to establish the falsity of theproposition through his own

experience first by showing his message was from God and therefore free from man’s distortion. cf.1:7b


I. Paul’s Gospel was independent of Human Teaching, 1:11-17-it was the gospel which they had been taught,

believed, and obeyed- the gospel of Christ, cf.1:4,6,7

-it was “not according to man” v.11 > cf.1Cor.3:4

>not received from

>nor taught of, v.12a

-it came from Christ, v.12b > cp. Eph.3:3-5

How does he prove this?


He reminds them of his own past which they already knew: (vv.13-17)-His former life of persecuting the church, v.13

>was in Judaism, Phil.3:4-5

>persecuted the church beyond measure, cf. Acts 8:1-3

>tried to destroy the church, Acts 9:1-2

-He was more advanced in Judaism & morezealous for traditions than any of

his contemporaries, v.14


What’s his Point?

>He knew what he was talking about when itcame to this matter of Judaistic

teaching and traditions.

>He had been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt!

But….


He saw the light of Jesus Christ and all that changed!

-v.15 He was called through grace, cf. 1:6 >1Tim.1:12-16

-v.16 when Jesus was revealed to him, he didnot confer with men (“flesh and blood”)

-v.17a nor did he consult with leaders of menwithin the movement- the Apostles

-v.17b Instead he “went away” to Arabia

>this a Gentile country east of Damascus

>here he likely preached as before and after,cf. Acts 9:20-22

Paul “went away to Arabia”


Then,

He returned to Jerusalem, v.18a

>he had originally departed from there forDamascus, Acts 9:2ff

>but much had happened since he left to“persecute the church” he

was now working to establish! v.23

Further evidences of Independence, vv.18b-24.

These are given to make the same point:

What he had preached to them &

what he was about to proclaim to them,


WAS FROM GOD- NOT MEN!

It was not “distorted” or “perverted” as this so-called gospel of Old Testament justification for New Testament Christians that was now being taught to the Galatians by the Judaizing teachers!

His message now was pure as it was then when he first proclaimed it to them BECAUSE IT CAME FROM GOD by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Therefore,

they had better give heed!


And so should we!

The gospel today can be distorted. We had better be sure the message we believe

is confirmed by Book, Chapter, and Verse of the New Testament to be from God and not men-

That it is pure from revelation rather than from human logic, reason, or desire.

Our souls can be “separated from Christ” and we can “fall from grace” just as the Galatians did!

Galatians #2 The Biographical Argument- Independent Revelation, 1:11-24.

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Transcript of Galatians #2 The Biographical Argument- Independent Revelation, 1:11-24.