Lesson 2July 1-7
Paul’s Authority and Gospel
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: 2 Pet. 3:15, 16; Galatians 1; Phil. 1:1; Gal. 5:12.
Memory Text: “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10, NKJV).
Students at a university built a center on their campus where everyone — regardless of race, gender, social status, or religious beliefs — would be welcome. Imagine if years later these students returned to the campus only to discover that other students had redesigned the center. Instead of the large room with plenty of space for socializing — designed to bring a sense of unity to everyone there — the room had been subdivided into many smaller rooms with entrance restrictions based on race, gender, and so forth. The students responsible for the redesign might have argued that their authority to make these changes came from centuries-old established practice.
This is something like the situation that Paul faced when he wrote his letter to the churches in Galatia. His plan that Gentiles could join on the basis of faith alone was being challenged by false teachers who insisted that Gentiles must also be circumcised before they could become members.
This position, Paul saw, was an attack on the essence of the gospel itself; thus, he had to respond. The response is the letter to the Galatians.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, July 8.
SundayJuly 2
Paul, the Letter Writer
Read 2 Peter 3:15, 16. What do these verses tell us about how the early church viewed Paul’s writing? What does this teach us about how inspiration works?
When Paul wrote to the Galatians, he was not trying to produce a literary masterpiece. Instead, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul was addressing specific situations that involved him and the believers in Galatia.
Letters like Galatians played an essential role in Paul’s apostolic ministry. As the missionary to the Gentile world, Paul founded a number of churches scattered around the Mediterranean. Although he visited these churches whenever he could, he couldn’t stay in one place too long. To compensate for his absence, Paul wrote letters to the churches in order to give them guidance. Over time, copies of Paul’s letters were shared with other churches (Col. 4:16). Although some of Paul’s letters have been lost, at least thirteen books in the New Testament bear his name. As the above words from Peter show, too, at some point Paul’s writings were viewed as Scripture. This shows just how much authority his ministry eventually gained early on in the history of the church.
At one time some Christians believed that the format of Paul’s letters was unique — a special format created by the Spirit in order to contain God’s inspired Word. This view changed when two young scholars from Oxford, Bernard Grenfell and Arthur Hunt, discovered in Egypt about five hundred thousand fragments of ancient papyri (documents written on papyrus, a popular writing material used several hundred years before and after Christ). In addition to finding some of the oldest copies of the New Testament, they found invoices, tax returns, receipts, and personal letters.
Much to everyone’s surprise, the basic format of Paul’s letters turned out to be common to all letter writers in his day. The format included (1) an opening salutation that mentioned the sender and the recipient, and then included a greeting; (2) a word of thanksgiving; (3) the main body of the letter; and, finally, (4) a closing remark.
In short, Paul was following the basic format of his time, speaking to his contemporaries through a medium and style that they would be familiar with.
If the Bible were to be written today, what kind of medium, format, and style do you think the Lord would use to reach us now?
MondayJuly 3
Paul’s Calling
Though Paul’s epistles generally follow the basic format of ancient letters, Galatians contains a number of unique features not found in Paul’s other epistles. When recognized, these differences can help us better understand the situation Paul was addressing.
Compare Paul’s opening salutation in Galatians 1:1, 2 with what he writes in Ephesians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, and 2 Thessalonians 1:1. In what ways is Paul’s salutation in Galatians similar to and different from the others?
Paul’s opening salutation in Galatians is not only a bit longer than in his others, but he goes out of his way to describe the basis of his apostolic authority. Literally, the word apostle means “someone who is sent” or “a messenger.” In the New Testament, in the strictest sense, it refers to the original twelve followers of Jesus and others whom Christ sent to tell people about Him (Gal. 1:19, 1 Cor. 15:7). Paul declares that he belongs to this select group.
The fact that Paul so strongly denies that his apostleship rests on any human being suggests that there was an attempt by some in Galatia to undermine his apostolic authority. Why? As we have seen, some in the church were not happy with Paul’s message that salvation was based on faith in Christ alone and not on works of the law. They felt that Paul’s gospel was undermining obedience. These troublemakers were subtle. They knew that the foundation of Paul’s gospel message was directly tied to the source of his apostolic authority (John 3:34), and they determined to launch a powerful attack against that authority.
Yet, they did not directly deny Paul’s apostleship; they merely argued that it was not really too significant. They likely claimed that Paul was not one of Jesus’ original followers; his authority, therefore, was not from God but from humans — perhaps from the church leaders from Antioch who commissioned Paul and Barnabas as missionaries (Acts 13:1-3). Or, perhaps, it came only from Ananias, who baptized Paul in the first place (Acts 9:10-18). Paul, in their opinion, was simply a messenger from Antioch or Damascus — nothing more! Consequently, they argued that his message was merely his own opinion, not the Word of God.
Paul recognized the danger these allegations posed, and so he immediately defends his God-given apostleship.
In what ways, even subtly, is the authority of Scripture being challenged today within the confines of our church? How can we recognize these challenges? More important, how have they (perhaps) influenced your own thinking in regard to the authority of the Bible?
TuesdayJuly 4
Paul’s Gospel
In addition to defending his apostleship, what else does Paul emphasize in his opening greeting to the Galatians? Compare Gal. 1:3-5 with Eph. 1:2, Phil. 1:2, and Col. 1:2.
One of the unique features of Paul’s letters is the way he links the words grace and peace in the greetings. The combination of these two words is a modification of the most characteristic greetings in the Greek and Jewish world. Where a Greek author would write “Greetings” (chairein), Paul writes “Grace,” a similar-sounding word in Greek (charis). To this Paul adds the typical Jewish greeting of “Peace.”
The combination of these two words is not a mere pleasantry. On the contrary, the words basically describe his gospel message. (In fact, Paul uses these two words more than any other author in the New Testament.) The grace and peace are not from Paul but from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
What aspects of the gospel does Paul include in Galatians 1:1-6?
Although Paul has little space in his opening greeting to develop the nature of the gospel, he masterfully describes the essence of the gospel in only a few short verses. What is the central truth upon which the gospel resides? According to Paul, it is not our conformity to the law — the point that Paul’s opponents were trumpeting. On the contrary, the gospel rests fully on what Christ accomplished for us through His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. Christ’s death and resurrection did something that we never could do for ourselves. They broke the power of sin and death, freeing His followers from the power of evil, which holds so many in fear and bondage.
As Paul reflects on the wonderful news of the grace and peace that God created for us in Christ, he falls into a spontaneous doxology, which appears in verse 5.
In about as many words as Paul used in Galatians 1:1-5, write down your understanding of what the gospel is all about. Bring your words to class on Sabbath.
WednesdayJuly 5
No Other Gospel
What normally follows the opening greeting in Paul’s letters? How is Galatians different? Compare Gal. 1:6 with Rom. 1:8, 1 Cor. 1:4, Phil. 1:3, and 1 Thess. 1:2.
Although Paul addresses all kinds of local challenges and problems in his letters to the churches, he still made it a practice to follow his opening greeting with a word of prayer or thanksgiving to God for the faith of his readers. He even does this in his letters to the Corinthians, who were struggling with all kinds of questionable behavior (compare 1 Cor. 1:4 and 5:1). The situation in Galatia is so upsetting, however, that Paul omits the thanksgiving entirely and gets right to the point.
What strong words does Paul use that demonstrate the degree of his concern about what was happening in Galatia? Read Gal. 1:6-9, 5:12.
Paul does not hold back any words in his accusation against the Galatians. Simply put, he charges them with betraying their calling as Christians. In fact, the word turning (NJKV), which appears in verse 6, often was used to describe soldiers who gave up their loyalty to their country by deserting the army. Spiritually speaking, Paul is saying that the Galatians were turncoats who were turning their backs on God.
How were the Galatians deserting God? By turning to a different gospel. Paul is not saying that there is more than one gospel but that there were some in the church who — by teaching that faith in Christ was not enough (Acts 15:1-5) — were acting as if there were another one. Paul is so upset by this distortion of the gospel that he desires that anyone who preaches a different gospel might fall under the curse of God! (Gal. 1:8). Paul is so emphatic about this point that he basically says the same thing twice (Gal. 1:9).
There is, today, a tendency even in our church (in some places) to emphasize experience over doctrine. What matters most (we are told) is our experience, our relationship with God. However important experience is, what does Paul’s writing here teach us about the importance of correct doctrine?
ThursdayJuly 6
The Origin of Paul’s Gospel
The troublemakers in Galatia were claiming that Paul’s gospel was really driven by his desire to obtain the approval of others. What might Paul have done differently in his letter if he were merely seeking human approval? Consider Gal. 1:6-9, 11-24.
Why did Paul not require Gentile converts to be circumcised? Paul’s opponents claimed it was because Paul wanted conversions at any cost. Maybe they thought that because Paul knew Gentiles would have reservations about circumcision, he didn’t require it. He was a people-pleaser! In response to such allegations, Paul points his opponents to the strong words he had just written in verses 8 and 9.
If all he wanted were approval, he would surely have answered otherwise.
Why does Paul say it is impossible to be a follower of Christ while trying to please people?
After Paul’s statement in verses 11 and 12 that he received his gospel and authority directly from God, how do his words in verses 13-24 make his point?
Verses 13-24 provide an autobiographical account of Paul’s situation before his conversion (vss. 13, 14), at his conversion (vss. 15, 16), and afterward (vss. 16-24). Paul claims that the circumstances that surrounded each of these events make it absolutely impossible for anyone to claim that he received his gospel from anyone but God. Paul is not going to sit by and allow anyone to disparage his message by questioning his calling. He knows what happened to him, he knows what he was called to teach, and he is going to do it, no matter the cost.
How certain are you of your calling in Christ? How can you know for sure what God has called you to do? At the same time, even if you are sure of your calling, why must you learn to listen to the counsel of others?
FridayJuly 7
Further Thought: “In almost every church there were some members who were Jews by birth. To these converts the Jewish teachers found ready access, and through them gained a foot-hold in the churches. It was impossible, by scriptural arguments, to overthrow the doctrines taught by Paul; hence they resorted to the most unscrupulous measures to counteract his influence and weaken his authority. They declared that he had not been a disciple of Jesus, and had received no commission from [H]im; yet he had presumed to teach doctrines directly opposed to those held by Peter, James, and the other apostles. . . .
“Paul’s soul was stirred as he saw the evils that threatened speedily to destroy these churches. He immediately wrote to the Galatians, exposing their false theories, and with great severity rebuking those who had departed from the faith.” — Ellen G. White, Sketches From the Life of Paul, pp. 188, 189.
Discussion Questions:
- In class, read your explanations of what you understand the gospel to be. What can we learn from one another’s writings?
- In Paul’s greeting to the Galatians, he declared that Jesus’ death occurred for a specific reason. What was that reason, and what meaning does that have for us today?
- In Galatians 1:14 Paul says he was extremely zealous for the traditions of his fathers. By “traditions,” he probably means the oral traditions of the Pharisees. What place (if any) is there for traditions in our faith? What warning might Paul’s experience offer for us today in regard to the whole question of tradition?
- Why was Paul so seemingly “intolerant” of those who believed differently from what he said and did? Read again some of the things he wrote about those who had a different view of the gospel. How might someone holding such a strong, uncompromising stance be viewed in our church today?
Summary: The false teachers in Galatia were trying to undermine Paul’s ministry by claiming that his apostleship and gospel message were not God-given. Paul confronts both of these accusations in the opening verses of his letter to the Galatians. He boldly declares that there is only one way of salvation, and describes how the events surrounding his conversion demonstrate that his calling and gospel only could be from God.
Rescue in the River, Part 2
The atmosphere grew tense. Some of the rowdies threatened the baptismal candidates with sticks. “We don’t want Christians in our village," one man shouted. “We have our own gods and our own ways of worship. You must not follow these men who have come to teach their religion. You must continue in the way of our ancestors."
“It doesn’t look like we’ll have a baptism today,” one of the pastors whispered to the other pastors. Perhaps they would have to return on another day.
Just then the pastors heard a young woman’s voice rise above the angry shouts of the crowd. It was Rebecca Tudu, one of the baptismal candidates. “Nobody is going to stop me from being baptized today,” she shouted. “We live in a free country. I will worship whatever God I choose. I choose Jesus Christ, and I am going to be baptized today whether you like it or not.”
With those words Rebecca marched through the mob and on toward the meeting hall. None of the men moved to stop her. Seeing her fearless spirit, 15 other baptismal candidates followed her.
Those 16 new believers were baptized that day while the angry villagers looked on. The believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit and Rebecca’s brave action, took a bold stand for Jesus Christ.
Benjamin was among those baptized that day. His baptism brought another miracle into his life. Before his baptism his eyesight was so poor that he was could barely see. But after his baptism his eyesight improved, and now he is able to read the Bible without difficulty.
“Twice God has revealed Himself to me,” Benjamin testified. “I have no doubt that God is alive and hears my prayers.” Benjamin spends much of his time giving his testimony to the people in the nearby villages.
A week after her baptism Rebecca went to her home village to tell her parents what she had learned during the past few weeks. She shared the Bible truths she treasured and told them about the excitement on the day of the baptism. Her parents were eager to learn more about God and asked Rebecca to invite the pastors to visit their village and teach them.
The pastors came and studied with Rebecca’s parents for several weeks. One happy day Rebecca stood by a riverbank and watched her parents be baptized. Her two brothers also took their stand, along with others from her village.
The author, C. S. Marandi, was the president of the Bihar Section, Ranchi, Bihar, India, before his retirement.
Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org
