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Commentary on "Paul's Authority and Gospel"
Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, October 1, 2011 - Introduction
Overview
This week’s lesson covers Galatians 1 as well as referring to 2 Peter 3:15,16; Philippians 1:1, and Galatians 5:12. The lesson focusses on Paul’s defense of his apostolic authority and his gospel. It gives an example of a building constructed with a large open space being subdivided by sections, thus limiting the free interaction of the people. The lesson compares this situation to that described in Galatians: false teachers were saying the Gentiles must be circumcised before they could become church members.
Observations
First, it is astonishing that an entire week is spent on how Paul defended his apostleship and the claim that Gentiles do not have to be circumcised without dealing with the core of Galatians 1 found in verses 6-10:
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
The day’s lesson creates a situation that does not reflect what was actually going on in Galatia. In context, Galatians 1 describes a situation not of artificial divisions being set up, dividing the body, but of heresy creeping into the church in the guise of holiness. The false teachers were Judaizers. Circumcision was not the core of what was wrong; it was merely the gateway to the problem.
Adventism makes much of saying the issue in Galatia was the Judaizers trying to inflict circumcision on Gentiles, when in reality the issue was the Judaizers were attempting to put Gentile believers under the entire Mosaic law, including the 10 Commandments. No Gentile was eligible to keep the law if he wasn’t circumcised. The law, as everyone knew, was for the Israelites. The Judaizers were insisting that no gentile could function as a believer if her didn’t first agree to enter the community of Israel.
Historically, Gentiles could become Jews if they were circumcised and thus became part of the covenant community and were under the Jewish law. Judaizers were saying that Christianity could only be “applied” to those who first entered the historic Jewish community: they had to be circumcised and subject to the law in order to be legitimate Christians.
Paul was saying, “No!” Jesus died, was buried, and rose again in order to free people from the law. Gentiles did NOT need to be circumcised, and this freedom meant they were not to be subject to the law. Circumcision was the gateway to law-keeping, and the Judaizers were attempting to put the gentiles under the law.
Because if Jesus’ death and resurrection, however, the Gentiles could come to faith simply by believing in the Lord Jesus and receiving Him as their Lord. The requirements of the law had been met in Jesus, and for those who believe in Him, the legal requirements were taken care of by Jesus.
Gentiles were not to be circumcised because they were not to be subjected to the law.
The issue of Galatians 1 is FAR bigger than Paul’s apostolic authority. The issue is that Judaizers were preaching another gospel, and Paul said anyone who preaches another gospel is to be accursed.
Adventism completely misses the point of this chapter. They have placed their members under the law; their “gospel” is “another gospel”, the exact sort of “other gospel” with the Judaizers were attempting to impose on the Galatians.
The situation in Galatian was not “division”; it was outright heresy, and Paul was unequivocal: the false teachers were accursed. Any message that adds any requirement or sign to the gospel of the New Testament is accursed. It is heresy.
Summary
- The issue of Galatians 1 is not “divisions”.
- Judaizers were teaching a false gospel; Paul said they were accursed.
- The issue was not “just circumcision”. It was the law. No Gentile was eligible to keep the law unless he was circumcised and thus admitted into the Jewish community.
- Judaizers said that a person couldn’t be a true believe unless he first entered the Jewish community.
- Paul said gentiles were not subject to the law because its requirements were fulfilled in Christ.
- The issue here is not a physical scar; the issue was the law. Christians are not required to be under the law.
- Teachers requiring the law were to be accursed.
Copyright 2011 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised September 20, 2011. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
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