first missionary journey of Paul Archives

Power Driven by Lies and Division

Last time, we followed the apostle Paul’s first missionary journey (see The Further Adventures of the Apostles Peter and Paul).

At the end of Paul’s journey, he returned to the Gentile church in Antioch. There, word came to him that ‘false teachers’ had infiltrated one of the churches he planted in the region of Galatia. They were seeking power within the church by telling lies and creating division.

These false teachers were Jews, deceptively teaching the Gentiles that they must become Jews (through circumcision), to position themselves for salvation. So, they were saying that salvation was something that you must earn – effectively negating Christ’s work on the cross.

In response, Paul writes his first epistle (the book of Galatians) – a letter sent to all the churches in the region of Galatia, (in a section of modern-day Turkey), to refute these falsehoods. He begins by asserting His authority:

This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. Gal. 1:1 NLT

The apostle is declaring that he got His marching orders from Christ Himself (on the road to Damascus). Next, Paul jumps right into what motivated him to write:

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. Gal. 1:6, 7. NLT

He then recounts his conversion on the road to Damascus (see What Happened on the Road to Damascus). Then he describes his walk with Jesus for the subsequent 17 years that have elapsed up to this point.

Next Paul reveals that he has been entrusted to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles, and the apostle Peter is bringing it to the Jews. Then, he humbles himself by saying that he was no better than the Gentiles – being equally subject to the same dictates of Jehovah:

We are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners,” and yet because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified. Gal. 2:15, 16. CSB

(Isn’t it interesting that God chose to send this message of ‘attaining salvation by faith, not works,’ almost immediately after He sent the message of ‘good works are a natural outcome from being saved,’ through the apostle James? God never teaches confusion. Instead, He sometimes brings further revelatory clarity.)

Paul knows that no one could live in perfect obedience to all of the Mosaic law. We all slip and fall – repeatedly. Thus, we must depend upon (have faith in) Christ for or righteous transformation through His forgiveness and salvation.

The apostle describes his own:

For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law – I stopped trying to meet all its requirements – so that I might live for God. Gal. 2:19 NLT

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. Gal. 2:20, 21. NLT

Paul speaks of the ‘curse’ of the Mosaic law because its function was to bring an awareness of one’s sinful nature. Yet, in and of itself, the law offered no solution for overcoming our tendency to indulge our flesh. Instead, it revealed that we were helpless – needing Divine intervention to receive that righteousness required for entering the Kingdom of God.

That same righteousness is offered to all people who place their faith in the saving power of the blood of the Messiah. Indeed, the ultimate purpose of the law was to point us towards this necessity – the only way to salvation.

The apostle is saying that neither he nor anybody else could be justified (made righteous) by the law because it demanded obedience to every letter of it, which is humanly impossible. So, he lets that insurmountable task ‘die’ in him and accepts what Jesus did – how He fills that gap from what we are, to what we can ultimately become, a righteous child of God.

In addition, Paul says that he wears the work of Christ as an integral part of his own heart – acknowledging the miraculous work of Jesus’ sacrifice so that he can stand righteous in God and live his life to please Him.

Continuing, he reveals that there is a spiritual transformation that takes place upon salvation, and that salvation does not require one to perfect their flesh. Can’t be done.

Paul then addresses the church’s behavior by asking them if they are willing to give up their faith in the face of persecution.

He returns to the vital importance of faith, using Abraham as an example:

In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” Gal. 3:6 NLT

That same offer is extended by God to all peoples:

The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God. What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith.

God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith. Gal. 3:7 – 9. NLT

Again, Paul contrasts it with the law:

Now it is clear that no one is justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing] before God by the Law, for “THE RIGHTEOUS…SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” Gal. 3:11 AMP

Paul is quoting Hab. 2:4. Then, he crystalizes the focus of our faith:

But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written it the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith. Gal. 3:13, 14. NLT (see also Dt. 21:23)

It’s like this: we do our best to live by God’s laws, Christ will set us free from the curse of the law when we stumble. (And stumble we will). He stands between God and His children, and says to His Father, “It’s okay. I’ve paid the price for this one.”

The apostle goes on to tell his audience that God’s law, (the Mosaic law), which was laid down through Moses, does not nullify the promise of salvation. So, what purpose does it serve?

It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. Gal. 3:19 NLT

The promised child was Christ. The law was not meant to be an eternal covenant as it stood. It was brought to its final evolution though Christ in His Gospel.

The law was given so that the people would have no excuse for what constituted transgressions against Jehovah, and hopefully be led into practicing restraint against the commission of them. And it was to remind us of our sin nature, and for the need for our Savior. The law in and of itself was not bad. How could it be? It was the word of God:

Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ. Gal. 3:21, 22. NLT

The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal. 3:24 – 28. NLT

What Paul had done with this epistle so far, has built up and hardened their Christian foundation – showing them the value of what they have. Now, he addresses their transgression of yielding to false teaching:

So Christ has truly set us free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Gal 5:1 NLT

The apostle then tells them that if they submit to circumcision for the sake of salvation, they will instead be severing themselves from Christ. So again, he encourages them to keep the faith:

…we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. Gal. 5:5, 6. NLT

Paul wraps up this epistle by teaching us how to have a better walk with God:

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Gal. 5:16 NLT

The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. Gal. 5:17, 18. NLT

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these…anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Gal. 5:19 – 24. NLT

The apostle is referring to the willful indulgence of the flesh. We are mortal and we do falter. Thank God for His grace through Christ Jesus. We fall under that grace because God loves us. And we extend that grace by showing it to others as well:

…if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Gal. 6:1 NLT

Those who live only to satisfy their sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Gal. 6:8, 9. NLT

Amen. Keep the faith!

Goodnight and God bless.

The Further Adventures of the Apostles Peter and Paul

Last time, we finished the second half of the book of James (see Practical Living in a Godly Manner 2).

Now, we are going to return to the adventures of the apostles Peter and Paul. To do that in the correct chronological timeline, we must make a brief return to the book of

Acts.

Let’s begin with Peter, just after he finished baptizing the Roman Centurion and his household (see What Happened on the Road to Damascus?).

The apostle returned to Jerusalem, whereupon he was subjected to a hostile reception from some Jewish brothers in Christ, because he had ministered to Gentiles. However, once Peter told them how the Holy Spirit had filled the Gentiles, the critics changed their tune…

When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.” Acts 11:18 NLT

At this same time, (after the stoning of the disciple Stephen), many of Christ’s followers fled to other regions to preach, due to the increase of persecution from the non-believing Jews. One of these places was the city of Antioch, located in what was a Syrian territory, now, part of modern-day Turkey.

A church was founded in Antioch, which became the ‘fountainhead’ of Gentile followers of Christ:

The church in Jerusalem was very impressed with the reports they received about the Antioch church. So, the sent a disciple, named Barnabas, to bestow their seal of approval on it, as well as to strengthen the congregants in their doctrine.

Barnabas was so inspired by this church that he traveled to Tarsus to enlist the assistance of the apostle Saul for his mission. Together, they returned to Antioch to teach in that church…

Both of them stayed there with the church a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was there at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) Acts 11:26 NLT

During that time, Herod Agrippa 1, grandson of Herod the Great, of Jesus’ incarnate time, was governor of Judea. He was also close to one of Rome’s most infamous Caesars, Caligula – who must have made quite an impression on Herod, because he was equally evil.

Herod had ordered the execution of the apostle James (brother of John). The Jews has lauded Herod for his deed. Emboldened, he had the apostle Peter arrested and sentenced to be executed as well.

The night prior to the execution, Peter was in prison, bound with chains, sleeping between 2 soldiers, and guarded by sentries. In the middle of that night, God sent an angel to free him, and help him to escape to Caesarea. Herod never found Peter again…

[Herod continued his ungodly behavior – even to the point of believing that he was a god. However, as soon as he tried to own that thought, Jehovah sent an angel to strike him down for his blasphemy (Acts 12:23).]

At the approximate time of Herod’s death (47 A.D.), a prophet from Jerusalem journeyed to the church in Antioch, warning them of an imminent famine that would strike Judea.

In response, the church sent aid to the church elders in Jerusalem through the hands of Barnabas and Saul, who were also accompanied by a Gentile disciple, named Titus.

After delivering the aid, Barnabas, and Saul, (this time traveling with the apostle Mark), returned to Antioch. When they arrived, the Holy Spirit fell upon the church elders – urging then to send Barnabas and Saul on what would become Saul’s first missionary journey. Mark came along to assist.

Their first stop was the island of Cyprus, home to Barnabas, where they preached in the synagogues and to the Gentiles as well. Because of the presence of the Gentiles, Saul decided to use his Roman name, Paul. (He was a Roman citizen – more on that later). For the rest of his life, he remained the apostle Paul.

When they finished preaching in Cyprus, they set sail for the Roman province of Galatia (located in modern-day Turkey). When they made landfall, the apostle Mark left for Jerusalem (the Bible doesn’t tell us why).

Paul and Barnabas stayed to preach in several Galatian cities, establishing new churches as they did so. Let’s listen in as Paul preaches the Gospel in one of these cities, also called Antioch – speaking of Christ’s lineage:

“…the people begged for a king, and God gave them Saul…But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’

“And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel!” Acts 13:21 – 23. NLT

“And now we are here to bring you this Good News. The promise was made to our ancestors, and God has now fulfilled it for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus.” Acts 13:32, 33. NLT

“So let it be clearly known by you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you; and through Him everyone who believes [who acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior and follows Him] is justified and declared free of guilt from all things, from which you could not be justified and free of guilt through the Law of Moses.” Acts 13:38, 39. AMP

Therein lies a short synopsis of the message of the cross…

The Jews were amazed at Paul’s Gospel preaching, inviting him to return on the following Sabbath, so that they could hear more. When Paul showed up, the entire city was present – mostly populated by Gentiles.

The Jews that were present, were jealous of the presence of the Gentiles. They began to harass Paul and Barnabas, accusing them of bringing the Gentiles a false gospel that could not save them. Yet Paul and Barnabas boldly stood their ground against the Jews, and they spelled out what awaits them because of their disbelief:

“It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. For the Lord gave us this command, when he said,

‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’”

When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers. Acts 13:46 – 48. NLT

Later, the Jews ran Paul and Barnabas out of town. They traveled to the city of Iconium, where Jews and Gentiles alike, embraced their salvation. Still, there was a faction of un-believing Jews who tried to turn the Gentiles against the apostles. But God had different plans:

But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders. Acts 14:3 NLT

The unbelievers hardened their hearts against Paul and Barnabas, and they planned to kill them. But the apostles got wind of their plan and moved on to a city called Lystra. Paul healed a crippled man to God’s glory; yet the unbelievers followed the apostles to Lystra, saying that it was their ‘god,’ who did the healing. Then they stoned Paul and left him for dead.

The next day, Paul arose, and he and Barnabas preached in one more city. Then, they

Retraced their steps back to the Gentile church in Antioch, revisiting all the churches that they had planted – telling them to endure to receive their promise:

…they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. Acts 14:22 NLT

Indeed, we have an open invitation to God; but the devil will never give up his hateful attempts of trying to get you to reject the invite, or, try to convince you to renounce it once you’ve accepted it.

Thus, we must be ever-vigilant, always keeping our eyes on the prize…