Galatians 1:18-24

Paul says that three years after his call he goes to Jerusalem where the apostles have gathered (ref. also Acts 9:26-31). In Jerusalem he stays with Peter (Cephas) fifteen days. Besides Peter, he does not have words with any of the other apostles except James the brother of the Lord.

James was a witness to the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7) and has a shared role of authority over the Jerusalem Church (with Peter and John). The missionaries who have misled the Galatians have claimed that Paul has been taught and commissioned by the Jerusalem Church. Paul denies this saying, “In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!” (v. 20)

Paul’s life and message Source is the Holy Spirit for his peaching, teaching, and witness. If it is so for Paul, it is this way for us. Paul’s focus is to teach faith in Jesus Christ that is to be used daily. Faith and Gospel mean the same thing to Paul and to us.

Paul wants the Galatians, and us, to use faith each minute. We are not to set faith off to the side when we are not in Worship or not with other believers. We are free because of the Cross— cleansed, revived, and are to live as Jesus lives in us as we are led by the Holy Spirit. How? The Holy Spirit speaks softly within each of us and we’re obedient to Christ.

At the moment of our salvation we are transformed. And our lives reflect movement toward Christian Perfection. Note that Paul went from persecuting Christians to being one of the leaders in the revolutionary Christian movement. Prior to this, those who were not involved in faith now were invited, welcomed, and taught. Sins forgiven and needs met; for many this was the first faith ever because they were outside of the covenant Promises.

Groups of believers became strong abiding Churches because of Paul, and they glorified God because Paul had brought the Gospel. And each believer saw the transformative Power of God by faith in Christ which seizes and empowers a group, and individuals, for involvement in Christ’s activities — to do Christ’s assignments in ways that they could not have ever imagined.

18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; 19 but I did not see any other apostle 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 by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; 23 they only heard it said, “The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me. Galatians 1:18-24