Paul’s Personal Story

Galatian Liberty • Galatians 1:13-24 • April 4, 2022 • English Service 10:00 AM

 

Sermon Introduction

Paul wrote to the Galatians to defend the purity of the gospel and to defend his apostleship. Certain Judaizers disturbed the faith of the Galatians by questioning the authority of Paul and by distorting the gospel. Paul gave a dire warning to all who preach another gospel. He declared anathema or a curse to all who preach a distorted gospel. Thus, all believers should preach the gospel as confirmed by the Holy Scriptures. No one has the right to add to the gospel, change it, or subtract from it. The gospel is God’s gospel in Christ; it does not belong to men. Paul would then remind the Galatians of his personal story, how he was more zealous than anyone else to persecute the church until Christ revealed Himself to Paul.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

 
 
 

Galatians 1:13-24 ESV

13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

Notes

Paul wrote to the Galatians to defend the purity of the gospel and to defend his apostleship. Certain Judaizers disturbed the faith of the Galatians by questioning the authority of Paul and by distorting the gospel. Paul gave a dire warning to all who preach another gospel. He declared anathema or a curse to all who preach a distorted gospel. Thus, all believers should preach the gospel as confirmed by the Holy Scriptures. No one has the right to add to the gospel, change it, or subtract from it. The gospel is God’s gospel in Christ; it does not belong to men. Paul would then remind the Galatians of his personal story, how he was more zealous than anyone else to persecute the church until Christ revealed Himself to Paul.

  1. Past Life

    Paul reminded them of his past life. He persecuted the church violently because of his zeal for Judaism. Perhaps Paul inferred that he was more zealous and knowledgeable than the Judaizers who disturbed their faith (1:13-14).

    13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.

  2. God’s Purpose

    God set His purpose even before Paul’s birth. God revealed His Son to Paul that he might preach to the Gentiles in his time. Paul went to Arabia, probably on a personal retreat. He did not consult the apostles at that time (1:15-17).

    15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

  3. Connecting and Preaching
    Paul went to Jerusalem to meet Peter and James; then, he proceeded to Syria and Cilicia. The believers glorified God because the one who violently persecuted the church became a preacher to the Gentiles (1:18-24).


    18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

Application

  1. Tell the Story
    Let us tell our story of who we were before Christ, and let us tell the story of Christ, who is the center of our story. Some of us were religious yet lost. Some of us delved into the sin of the world, yet He graciously called us in Him

  2. Sovereign Purpose
    Believe that God called us because of His good purpose in Christ Jesus. It is not out of our good works but because of His grace that He called us to salvation. And that it is His sovereign will that we should proclaim the gospel.

  3. Connect and Preach
    Paul connected with the other believers, and he preached the gospel. We, too, should connect with other believers, especially in a local church community. Furthermore, we should preach the gospel because it is God’s will for us.

Reflection & Discussion

  1. Who was Paul before Christ revealed Himself?

  2. Why was it relevant for Paul to defend His apostleship?

  3. Why is it relevant for us to defend the writings of the apostles and their associates (NT)?