The Auditorium Sunday School Class

January 9^th, 2005

GALATIANS 1:1-5

Paul’s Great Introduction – part 2

I. The Apostle Paul’s Apostleship is not of human origin (1).

A. No group of men came together and called Paul to be an Apostle.

- “not of men” (plural)

B. No man, worthy of respect, called Paul to be an Apostle.

- “neither by man” (singular)

C. Paul knew the origin of his calling, that it was from God.

1. He will make many bold statements in the future based on his calling.

- see 1:10 as an example.

2. He wanted the Christians in Galatia to know that God had called him to be an Apostle.

3. The title “Apostle” means: to send away with a commission to do something.”

D. Notice that Paul gives credit to both God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ for his Apostleship (1).

- Everything that pertains to our salvation and calling has its origin with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ .

II. Paul addresses this letter “unto the churches of Galatia” (2).

A. These churches were individual groups of believers but Paul was speaking to them collectively.

1. Evidently, the problems addressed in this book existed in all of the churches of Galatia.

2. Paul, at this time, was not alone; he had some Christians with him (2).

B. The Apostle Paul, in verses 3-5, lifts up the Persons of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. “Grace be to you.”

- “Grace is more than love; it is love set free…..” (Lewis Chaefer)

2. “….and Peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.” (3)

- Second only to Grace is Peace.

C. What did the Lord Jesus do? And, why did He do it? (4)

1. The what: Jesus gave Himself for our sins

2 The why: That He might deliver us from this present, evil world.

3. Paul is reminding them of the basics of salvation and separation.

III. To whom be glory forever and ever, Amen. (5)

A. Paul concludes his introduction with praise to God.

1. All glory goes to God.

2. God is to get the glory “forever and ever.”

B. Salvation started with God, is continued by God, and is dependent on God.

1. This is the reason that works do not contribute to your salvation – God is to get ALL of the glory.

2. Paul is laying the foundation in this introduction that no human work contributes to the call of God.

- The Apostleship is from God (1).

- The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is from God (1)

- Separation from the world is the will of God (4).

- All glory goes back to God (5).

Conclusion: Paul will now begin to deal with a series of problems – next week.