Lesson 2
Galatians

Father help me to understand that it isn’t the appointment of men but rather the anointment of God that creates a minister. Help me to accept that to some degree I have been called to be a minister of your gospel whether it is full time or just part time. Help me to see opportunities to share the grace of God with others and lead them into prayer for salvation.

Revelation, persecuted, circumcised, fellowship

Galatians 1:11-2:10

Lesson

Welcome back to Believers Bay’s study on the book of Galatians. Questions and comments should be directed to publisher@believersbay.com. Thank you. We hope you enjoy this study and it helps you to grow in Christ.

Paul was a mass murderer. He was an officially sanctioned assassin. His hatred of the Church was spread throughout the known world. He executed and imprisoned men, women and children. He was thrilled to do so because he felt he was doing the will of God.

When Paul became a Christian not even the apostles believed it to be true. Everyone thought it was some new trick to capture the church and destroy it. Paul was so distrusted that when he accepted God’s calling on his life he went into Arabia (east of Israel) for three years while he was taught the gospel of freedom by Jesus. It was revealed to him during those three years and when he left Arabia he brought a world shaking gospel with him that challenged everything that the world had known.

His gospel was so radical that many doubted it. Cheap grace, false salvation, blasphemy were descriptions of it. Some Jews felt that it was impossible to accept Jesus’ salvation unless you also followed the Law. Paul taught that if we follow the Law then we cannot be trusting in the grace (undeserved favor) of God to save us.

These Jews traveled to Galatia and warned people that without circumcision ( a requirement of the Law) they could not be saved. They explained that Paul was not a true Apostle because he had not been commissioned by Jesus. Paul had to address these false concepts head on.

He pointed out that not only had Jesus commissioned him but he had also taken time to present his vision and calling before the leaders of the church. They had acknowledged that he was indeed called to teach the gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews) just as Paul had been called to teach the gospel to the Jews.

Paul went on to explain that whether men had approved of his calling or not God had called him. God’s calling is always superior to the calling of men. It was good that the church leaders recognized God’s calling. It also gave clear support that those teaching this gospel of following the Law were not doing so with the support of anyone in leadership from the new Christian church.

Paul pursued the building of the Church with the same zeal (enthusiasm) that he had previously had to persecute the church. He poured his life into the work that God had called him to do. Where he had been presumptuous before he now had been corrected. He had spoken to God. He spent three years learning from Jesus (the same amount of time the other Apostles spent learning). He was a man with a mission and he would tenaciously refuse to let go of God’s calling on his life.

Revelation – Something revealed. A supernatural revealing of a new thing.

Persecuted – Being tortured or tormented.

Circumcised – The removal of foreskin from the male genitals.

Fellowship – Friendship & communion. Spiritual unity.

Ø Spent 10 minutes thinking about whether you have challenged the odd or unusual teachings of a minister. Ask yourself whether this was done with God’s leading or because of your own feelings. See if you can find scripture to support your rejecting of that minister. If not, take time to repent. If so, take time to pray for that misguided minister.

Ø Ask yourself if God has given you a revelation. If he has supernaturally revealed something that is new to you the answer is yes. Are you tenaciously holding onto God’s revelation? If so, take time to praise God. If not, take time to repent and renew your commitment to his calling on your life.