Galatians 1 verses 11 to 24 - to conform or not to conform?

 Galatians 1 verses 11 to 24

Paul dared to be himself in the will of God. But his freedom in Christ was a threat to those who found safety in conformity - they pointed to his non conformity as proof that his message and ministry were not really of God.  They said "He claims to be an apostle but he does not stand in the apostolic tradition  Paul answers this in this section.  God had chosen to reveal himself in a different way to Paul.

"But I certify you, brethren that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.  For I never received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Paul was saying "my message and ministry was from God.  I did not make it up!"  Anyone who thought differently was in danger of divine judgment because the Gospel was given by Jesus Christ from heaven itself.  The best way for Paul to prove his point was to reach into his past and remind his readers of how God had actually dealt with him.

"For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God and wasted it."

His readers did not fully understand what these experiences from his past meant.  So Paul outlines 3 scenes from his past as proof that his apostleship and his Gospel are truly of God.

Firstly as a persecutor ..."For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God and wasted it.  And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers."

Paul starts with his past as an unconverted Jewish rabbi.  Notice his relationship to the church and his relationship to the religion of the Jews.  At one time Paul was actually Saul of Tarsus.  Remember back in Acts 8 when he consented to Stephen's death and then proceeded to cause havoc in the church by breaking up families and putting believers in prison.  Acts 9 verse 1 describes the atmosphere - he breathed out threats and slaughter.  Paul later testified in Acts 22 and 26 that he was very determined to kill believers.

What was going through Paul's mind at this time in his life?  He thought Jesus was an imposter and the message of salvation was a lie.  Paul was so steeped in his Jewish traditions and he became known far and wide as a result.  Paul had been brought up under the tutorship of Gamaliel a very respected Jewish Rabbi.  Paul himself because of his background was on his way to becoming a very respected young rabbi of his own day.

Then something happened ... from the persecutor of the church to a preacher of the Gospel.  His famous conversion is told in Acts 9.  He was on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christians when suddenly a few days later he was actually preaching to the Jews that the Christians were in fact correct.

Remember the Jews were actually encouraging this young man Saul in his programme of persecution.  His conversion now became an embarrassment to them.

How had this change come about?  Was it as a result of the Christians praying for him?  Was it as a result of Stephen's death?  No-one actually knew that he would become a Christian.  Who actually brought about the change in Paul?  Only God could have brought about the change.  For his enemies, the Judaizers in the church to deny Paul's apostleship and Gospel was the same as denying his conversion.

Paul's argument is conclusive - his past conduct as a persecutor of the church plus the dramatic change that he experienced proves that his message and ministry are from God.

Application: as I read Paul's testimony I was reminded of my own.  Maybe not as dramatic as Paul's but I was brought up in the faith of my mum and dad.  They taught me the scriptures and ensured I heard them faithfully every Sunday.  I knew the gospel well and understood that Jesus had died for my sin on Calvary's cross but it was not enough.  I needed to come into a personal relationship with Jesus.  I needed to experience salvation myself.  If you are reading this and are depending on your families tradition it is not sufficient.  You need to have a personal encounter with God.  You need to accept what he has done for you.  It is only by grace that you can be saved.  Has God been speaking to you?  Perhaps you are very strongly opposed to anyone who professes Christ?  Are you able to look back on your life and realise that something or rather someone is directing your path in life so that you can be like Saul of Tarsus - from a persecutor to a believer?  Stop resisting today and put your trust in God.  He is waiting for you to come to him.

Secondly as a believer ... "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mothers womb and called me by his grace.  To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.  And they glorified God in me."

Having discussed his past character and conduct now Paul explains his conversion,

Firstly notice it was God who did it all - "it pleased God ... to reveal his Son in me."  Paul emphasises it was a work of God.

Secondly God did it by grace - "called me by his grace."  No effort of man.  God called him.

Thirdly God did it through Christ - "to reveal his Son in me."  This is the major difference for Paul.  He had his Jewish religion but not Christ.  It was the missing piece of the jigsaw.

Fourthly God revealed Christ to Paul, in Paul and through Paul.  Notice how many "me's" there are in these 2 verses.  Everything had been about ritual and tradition but faith in Christ brought about an inward experience of reality.

Fifthly God did it for the sake of others - "that I might preach him among the heathen."  God chose Paul not only to save him but to use him to win others.  There is a responsibility - God chose Paul to preach among the Gentiles the same grace he had experienced.  This is not something a hope to be rabbi would do!

Sixthly God did it for his glory - "And they glorified God in me."  Now his priorities had changed - he didn't want to do anything to feather his own nest, he wanted to do it all for God. This is the difference between Paul and his enemies now.  The Judaizers in this church wanted to steal Paul's converts and lead them astray.  It was God's glory that motivated Paul - and this ought to motivate us too!

Application: this particular section reminded me why I am a Christian and why I do what I do every day.  It has challenged me to reconsider if I do everything for God's glory - do you?  Can you honestly say that the work you are involved in brings glory to God?  Can I?  When I get involved in church activities am I doing it for my personal selfish glory or for God's?  Do I want people to think more of me as a result of what I do?  Is my life a total reflection of God and his glory or do I put on a show just for other Christians to see?

Thirdly as a preacher ... "immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.  Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me but I went into Arabia and returned again unto Damascus.  Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter and abode with him fifteen days  But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brothers.  Now the things which I wrote unto you, behold before God I lie not.  Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.  And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ.  But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once be destroyed."

Paul had no immediate contact with the other apostles after his conversion experience on the Damascus Road.  For us we would have thought Paul should have gone immediately to the church at Jerusalem and introduced himself there.  Why not?  Because God did not lead him to do that.  His purpose and ministry was to Gentiles not Jews.  Stephen's death was a turning point for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  In Acts 8 we read that the believers were scattered.  Philip went to the Samaritans and Peter to the Gentiles in Acts 10.  But Paul was also to take the gospel message to Gentiles.  God kept him separated from the Jewish ministry which the apostles were undertaking in Jerusalem.  So where did Paul go at first?

First he went to Arabia.  Paul actually set aside time to study, prayer and meditate, to get alone with God.  He took 3 years doing this.  

Secondly he went back to Damascus, the place where he was converted.  Surely this would have been dangerous?  Yes and the evidence is there that the Jewish leaders considered Paul an enemy - see Acts 9 verses 23 to 25.  This was proof to everyone that Paul had personally experienced Christ.

Finally he visited Jerusalem.  His main purpose was to visit Peter.  The apostles were suspicious of him.  Paul only stayed there 15 days and he only saw Peter and James.

After this Paul returned to Tarsus.  Why did he leave Jerusalem so quickly?  His life was in danger.  He was a wanted man.  The book of Acts records that he returned home preaching - Acts 21.  History tells us that Paul spent 7 years preaching until Barnabas recruited him for the work in Antioch.

Paul's conduct, conversion and now his contacts - how could anyone accuse him of borrowing or inventing either his message or his ministry?  In Paul's day the message of his enemies was Jesus plus the law of Moses.  Today the message is Jesus plus any number of religious leaders, books or organisations.  "You cannot be saved unless ..." is the message that "unless" usually includes joining their group and obeying their rules.  So many when they mention the gospel of grace respond "But God has given us a new revelation!"

Remember - when a person admits their sin and trusts Christ he is born again - born free! John 3 verses 1 to 18.  He had been redeemed, purchased by Christ and set free.  He is no longer in bondage to sin or Satan nor should he be in bondage to human religious systems.

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8 verse 36

Application: As I read these words I realised that so many today are trying to meet standards.  Standards set down by individuals and churches.  We lived in an age of scepticism.  We question everything.  Too often we will question whether a person is really a Christian or not.  We set up standards and expect others to either meet them or at least follow them.  I have been reminded reading this passage that our salvation is all of grace and nothing else.  God knows those who are his own and we need to ask God to reveal to us what his standards are not our own.  This is difficult as sometimes we have so many questions.  We are accountable to God alone and one day he will reveal all to us.  That does not mean we become cucooned in our own little world of "I'm right and everyone else is wrong" but rather we must allow God to reveal to us how we ought to live in this world.  No-one should ever think they are perfect and without sin!