Redemption Hill Church

The ContextPaul continues to outline the events following his conversion, providing further evidence that his gospel is not of human origin. In Galatians 1:13-24, Paul demonstrated that he labored independently of the Apostles. In Galatians 2:1-10, he showed that his apostleship was affirmed by them. Now, in this text, Paul asserts that his gospel holds authority even over the other Apostles, because it is the same gospel given to them by Jesus Himself.The ConfrontationAs the narrative unfolds, we witness a dramatic conflict between Peter and Paul in the city of Antioch. Recall that Paul’s early ministry was in Antioch with Barnabas (see Acts 11). Even after Barnabas and Paul were sent on their first missionary journey by the Antioch church, Paul returned to continue his ministry there (see Acts 14:24-28). During this time, Peter visited to labor alongside Paul.Antioch, about 135 miles north of Jerusalem, was a large, predominantly Gentile city with a significant Jewish population (see Acts 11). The church in Antioch was truly multicultural and multiethnic—the first of its kind in the New Testament. The question was, how would the gospel shape this community of both Jews and Gentiles? The gospel united them. When Peter first arrived, he freely ate with the Gentiles, not imposing Jewish dietary restrictions. Peter understood the freedom the gospel brings. After his vision in Acts 10, he knew God welcomed Gentiles into His covenant family by faith alone.However, Peter’s behavior changed because of fear. His actions began to suggest that he no longer believed the gospel of grace. This hypocrisy was damaging and dividing the church, as Peter acted out of step with the gospel. This inconsistency led Paul to confront Peter directly.Main Point of the Sermon: Freedom from hypocrisy is found only in the gospel.Sermon Outline: Five Realities of HypocrisyIt warrants loving confrontation (v11)It has a deeper cause (v12)It becomes dangerously contagious (v13)It is a serious contradiction (v14)It has a merciful cure Study Questions:How does hypocrisy undermine the gospel?Why does Paul publicly confront Peter? What can we learn about biblical confrontation from this event? Consider other Scriptures.Why does Paul include this event in his argument at this point in Galatians? What is he telling us about the gospel, and why does it matter?In what ways might we walk out of step with our profession of faith?

A Second VisitIt is important to note that this section builds on Paul’s thoughts that began in Chapter 1. In verse 12, he informed the Galatians that despite the accusations against his law-free gospel, he never received his gospel from men, nor was he ever taught it by man. Paul then provides an airtight defense to prove his point, detailing the events that unfolded immediately following his conversion. He continues that defense in Chapter 2, referencing his second trip to Jerusalem with Barnabas. This trip to Jerusalem likely coincides with the events of Acts 11:27-30. Luke records, “Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them, named Agabus, stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:27-30, ESV).In addition to Barnabas, Paul brings Titus, who acts as Paul’s test case for his circumcision-free gospel. Paul lays before the apostles in Jerusalem his gospel, along with Titus, and the apostles affirm his message. Despite what the Judaizers in Galatia claimed, Paul has the evidence that he is preaching the same gospel that the Jerusalem apostles are teaching (Galatians 1:1-3).Pressure to Compromise In verses 4-5, Paul references “false brothers,” or Judaizers, who were present in Jerusalem (or perhaps previously in Antioch). Though we aren’t sure exactly what occurred, these false brothers were pressuring Paul to circumcise Titus and to give in to their demands that one must be circumcised to perfect their salvation (v. 4). But Paul doesn’t compromise. The freedom the gospel offers is at stake, and so is the unity the gospel creates.Main Point of the Sermon: Compromising gospel truth forfeits gospel blessings.Outline: Two blessings we forfeit when we compromise the truth of the gospel:We forfeit the freedom the gospel offers. vv1-5We forget the unity the gospel creates. vv6-10Additional Study QuestionsWhy was this meeting such an impactful event in the history of the church? Consider the importance of unity in the gospel.Describe the freedom that Paul references in verses 4-5. How does this freedom relate to the law?What additions are we tempted to add to the gospel that may cause us to forfeit our freedom in the gospel?Why is it important that the Jerusalem apostles affirm Paul’s gospel and his apostleship?Why is gospel unity so important for the church? In what ways can we strive for unity in the gospel within our own church and with like-minded churches?

From Persecutor to PreacherIt’s crucial to recognize the role this text plays in Paul’s overall argument. He has reminded the Galatians that there is no other gospel except the one he preached to them. His gospel is being discredited by false teachers in Galatia, who are also challenging his apostleship. Paul is accused of being a false apostle and of preaching a gospel tainted by his own opinions.In this section of Scripture, Paul’s purpose is to defend both his apostleship and the gospel he preaches. In verse 11, Paul makes a definitive claim: “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel” (Galatians 1:11, ESV). He emphasizes that he received his gospel directly from Jesus Christ (v.12), likely alluding to his conversion experience described in Acts 9. The rest of this passage is an autobiographical account of Paul’s life before, during, and after his conversion. Paul’s intent in sharing these accounts is not merely to provide his testimony to the Galatians but to affirm that his gospel came from God and was never tainted or influenced by human sources.The transformative power of grace is evident throughout these passages. Although Paul held a unique role in redemptive history as an apostle, the grace at work in his life is relevant to all of us. Consider the immense grace God lavished upon Paul—transforming him from a persecutor into a preacher.Main point of the sermon: Grace doesn’t just tweak us; grace transforms us.Outline of the Sermon: Three workings of grace as seen in Paul’s life 1. Grace covers our stained past. 2. Grace calls us to behold Jesus. 3. Grace commissions us for His glory.Additional Study Questions 1. Discuss Paul’s aim in this section and how it relates to his overall purpose for writing this letter. 2. What is unique about Paul’s conversion? Which aspects of Paul’s conversion resonate with your own conversion story? 3. Paul frequently uses his past to magnify God’s grace. Identify several Scriptures where he does this. How can your past magnify God’s grace? 4. Reflect on verse 24. How can you daily cultivate a motivation to glorify God in all that you do?

Why was this letter written?This is the most important question. The answer unlocks the entirety of the book. In Chapter 1, Paul tells the church, “there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (v6, ESV). After Paul planted these churches, false teachers gained influence and insisted that Gentile converts to Christianity must follow Jewish law, including practices such as circumcision, to be truly saved. To validate their teaching, they devalued the validity of Paul’s claim to be an apostle. Paul’s apostleship and his gospel are interconnected. Imagine the questions the false teachers would raise. They probably asked something like, “If Paul is not truly an apostle like Peter and James, can Paul’s gospel be trusted?”Paul’s IntroductionThe first five verses focus on the validity of Paul’s apostleship and the sufficiency of Jesus’ work. Both of these will serve as dominant themes throughout the book. Paul wasn’t called by men; he was called by the God-man, Jesus Christ. Jesus has been validated as the God-man by the Father, who raised him from the dead. Paul speaks on behalf of the Risen Christ, who has conquered sin and death.The message of Paul’s gospel is grace and peace (v3). Don’t skim over this because it’s so common in Paul’s letters. Paul emphasizes that the elements of the gospel’s message are grace and peace. Peace with God can only be found by God lavishing upon us unmerited favor, or grace. The good news is that he has done that. How? Through Christ’s powerful and sufficient work on the cross (v4).Main Point of the Sermon – To progressively move forward in Christ, we must constantly go back to the cross.Outline of the Sermon – 2 Reminders to Move Us ForwardGo Back to the Validity of the Cross’s MessengerGo Back to the Sufficiency of the Cross’s MessageAdditional Study QuestionsHow are Paul’s apostleship and message interconnected?Why is it important that Paul references his apostleship? Why does his apostleship matter to us today?Look at v4. Break down what Jesus has done for us. How does this work display God’s grace, and how does it provide peace? How is it sufficient for our acceptance with God?In what ways are you tempted to ruin the gospel by adding to it?[1] Joseph A. Pipa, Galatians: God’s Proclamation of Liberty.

Harsh words!In this part of Paul’s epistle, one would typically expect a blessing, a word of encouragement, or a prayer of thanksgiving from the apostle to the church. This is Paul’s usual practice in all his other letters to churches, even to the church in Corinth. However, the Galatian churches receive no such encouragement or praise. Instead, Paul delivers an astonishing rebuke and pronounces an apostolic curse on the false teachers who have distorted the gospel he preached.Paul’s AstonishmentPaul is astonished, amazed, that the Galatians have so quickly embraced a different gospel (v. 6). The word “deserted” in v. 6 is a military term used to describe a traitor—someone who has turned against their own country and allied with the enemy. By embracing a gospel of faith in Christ plus circumcision and the law, the Galatians are turning their backs on God Himself. This is a serious problem. Paul wants these churches to know they are embracing something that can’t provide them with hope or deliverance; they are embracing no gospel at all (v. 7).Main Point of the Sermon – A different gospel brings danger not deliverance.Outline of the Sermon – 3 Dangers of a different gospelA different gospel deserts (v6)A different gospel distorts (v7)A different gospel destroys (vv8-10)Additional Study QuestionsWhy is Paul so amazed at the actions of the Galatians? How are we similar to the Galatians in our propensity to so quickly forget the gospel?What was the gospel that Paul proclaimed? Use several references from the NT to support your reasoning.Discuss the different gospels that are prevalent in our culture. How are they deceptive?In what ways can we be diligent to discern a different gospel from the gospel?