The Gospel of Grace Galatians 1:1-5 Presented by Bob DeWaay January 13, 2013

Gospel Themes in Galatians 1:1-5  Paul’s Apostolic Authority  Through Jesus Christ and the Father  The Resurrection of Jesus Christ  From the Brothers (equal status in Christ)  To the churches in Galatia

Gospel Themes in Galatians 1:1-5  Grace and Peace  Voluntary, Substitutionary Atonement  Rescued from this evil age  By God’s will and for His glory  Into the “ages of the ages”

Paul—Sent by Christ with His Authority  Paul’s apostolic authority was under question  “Apostle” is from the Jewish concept shaliach  Paul speaks with God’s authority – bindingly  “But” in the Greek is a strong adversative Galatians 1:1a (HCSB – used throughout) “Paul, an apostle—not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father”

Paul Saw the Resurrected Christ Galatians 1:1b “who raised Him from the dead”  Acts 9 and future accounts of Paul’s testimony  1Corinthians 9:1a “Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord”  1Corinthians 15:8 – “Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me.”

A Gospel Family  Most recent scholarship places these in southern Galatia  “Brothers” denotes fellow believers  In Acts 9:17 Ananias calls Paul “Brother Saul” Galatians 1:2 “ and all the brothers who are with me: To the churches of Galatia.”

Grace and Peace: Paul’s Christian Greeting  The typical Greek greeting was chairein  Grace (charis) and peace (eire_ne_) Hebrew OT (shalom) make a Christian greeting  This alludes to Num. 6:24-26 (Aaronic bendiction)  Grace is thematic in Galatians Galatians:1:3 “Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ”

Christ Died as a Substitute for Us Galatians:1:4a “who gave Himself for our sins”  Jesus willingly gave His life (Mark 10:45)  For (huper) means “on behalf of”  The sinless One died for our sin  Vicarious, substitutionary atonement

Rescued from the Dominion of Sin and Evil Galatians:1:4b “to rescue us from this present evil age” Colossians 1:13, 14 “He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him.”

Rescued from the Dominion of Sin and Evil  “Rescue” is used in LXX for God removing Israel from Egypt (see Exodus 3:8, Acts 7:34)  Believers are not removed from the world, but saved from its wicked dominion and God’s wrath  The Messianic age is here now, but not in its fullness--already/not yet; Galatians:1:4b “to rescue us from this present evil age”

The Plan of Messianic Salvation Is God’s Will Galatians:1:4c “according to the will of our God and Father.” Acts 2:23-24 (HCSB) “Though He was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail Him to a cross and kill Him. God raised Him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it.”

God’s Glory and Majesty are displayed for all eternity through the cross of Christ Galatians:1:5 “To whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” A Doxology God is glorified in both His saving grace and His justice.

Implications and Applications  God’s Grace is thematic in Galatians and should be in our lives.  We are a gospel family, purchased by God through the blood of Christ  Grace and Peace are the fruits of Messianic salvation, the essence of the gospel  We are to glorify God, now and for all eternity

God’s Grace Is Thematic in Galatians and Should Be in Our Lives Galatians 6:18: “Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Grace comes to us through the gospel. Those who believe are those who have peace with God (shalom—well-being through messianic salvation).

We Are a Gospel Family, Purchased by God Through the Blood of Christ “But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24) “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28)

We Are a Gospel Family, Purchased by God Through the Blood of Christ “And now I commit you to God and to the message of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32)

We Are to Glorify God, Now and For All Eternity Lord, who will not fear and glorify Your name? Because You alone are holy, for all the nations will come and worship before You because Your righteous acts have been revealed. (Revelation 15:4)

“ May Yahweh bless you and protect you; may Yahweh make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; may Yahweh look with favor on you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 Grace and Peace