◄ What Does Galatians 1:12 Mean? ►

Galatians is an epistle that effectively, eloquently, and authoritatively defends Paul's apostolic credentials, for the doctrine he teaches in all his epistles was not received in any way, shape, or form from any human source... nor by the teachings of any other man.

Paul had been present at Stephen's defence of the gospel and, no doubt, had heard certain teachings from Peter, John, James and other early Church leaders. He had been instructed by the great Jewish rabbi, Ananias of Damascus, encouraged by the kindly Barnabas, but he was increasingly being challenged by men who sought to return the early Church into Judaism's rites and rituals. But the gospel that we have from Paul was neither received from man, nor was he taught it by man. Paul received his gospel by revelation of Jesus Christ - how important to take note of Paul's gospel.

The gospel we have through Paul was given to him directly from the risen, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ - and his determination to remain true the pure gospel that he received by revelation from Christ, is evident in each of his epistles. But more than in any other of his writings, Paul lays considerable emphasis on his God-appointed apostleship and his authoritative apostolic credentials in this epistle to the Galatians.

The gospel message Paul preached and the many mysteries that he unfolded in his epistles have become foundational treasures upon which the majority of Church-age doctrine rests - with Christ being the foundational cornerstone upon which all his teachings are secured.

Paul gave the strongest defence of his message and ministry to the church at Galatia, for they were the most proactive in challenging his apostolic authority and insisting that the Mosaic Law must be reintegrated into Church age doctrine. This same heresy continues to be taught today in many areas of the Church, while certain other people presume to be modern day apostles and prophets who add their own two-pennyworth to the completed canon of God-breathed Scriptures, for their own prideful gain.

But the Word of God teaches that we are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus, Himself being the chief cornerstone. That foundation was laid and completed in the early Church and given for our learning through the completed canon of Scripture - and for two thousand years the Body of Christ has continued to be fitted together and is growing into a holy temple in the Lord - built together into a dwelling of God - in the power of the Spirit.

However, we must stand fast on the Word of Truth which we have been given through the ministry and mission of the apostle Paul. May we, with spiritual discernment, read, mark, learn, inwardly digest, and rightly divide the Scriptures through the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit so that we do not fall into any presumptive practices or lean towards any form of legalism. And may the Word of God remain our plumb-line for truth so that we do not embrace any doctrinal error nor be carried away by any deceptive wiles of the enemy.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and the truth that we have been given through the ministry and mission of the apostle Paul. Keep me from falling into any kind of legalism or false teaching, and give me discernment to recognise when a different gospel is being taught. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.