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THE APOSTLE OF THE RECONCILIATION
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Assuming that the epistle to the Galatians is the first inspired epistle of the apostle Paul, let us observe his
manner of entrance into the great arena. His opening words ring out a challenge - a threefold challenge, and all his
teaching must stand for naught if these three items cannot be maintained. What are they? With what words does he
enter the conflict?
1.
He asserts his absolute apostleship, in entire independence of man or men.
2.
He testifies to the unique character of his gospel; he was not taught it by men, but he received it by
revelation.
3.
He appeals to fourteen years' independent ministry as proof of his authority.
Paul's Apostleship, Gospel and Authority (Gal. 1:1-24)
(Key words: `Not'; `Neither'; `But')
Not from men,
Neither through man.
A1 1:1-5. Paul's APOSTLESHIP.
But through Jesus Christ.
B1 1:6-10. No change in gospel.-`Ye received'.
Not according to man,
Neither from man,
A2 1:11,12. Paul's GOSPEL.
But by revelation of Jesus Christ.
B2 1:13,14 His past attitude.-`Ye heard'.
Not flesh and blood,
Neither apostle,
A3 1:15-17. Paul's AUTHORITY.
But he went into Arabia.
B3 1:18-24. His present attitude.-`They had heard'.
Contrary to what we might have expected, the opening chapter deals with matters personal to Paul rather than
with doctrinal problems. This is no egotism, it is fundamental; for throughout the inspired record of the apostle to
the Gentiles the undermining of his doctrine was always preceded by the undermining of his authority. This is
plainly seen in the epistle to the Corinthians, and comes out prominently in the apostle's last message (2 Timothy).
There in chapter 1 we read `all in Asia be turned away from ME', which inevitably leads on to the statement in
chapter 4, `they shall turn away their ears from THE TRUTH'. Thus it is that Galatians 1 and 2 are devoted to the
apostle's authority, personal integrity, and unconditional responsibility to God alone. Out of the babel the Lord has
brought His truth. The challenge has made Paul do that which personal reticence and spiritual humility would have
for ever prevented; he has made himself (as he says in 2 Corinthians) `a fool in his boasting', but he has proved up to
the last letter that he was `not one whit behind the chiefest of the apostles', and by inspired command he `magnified
his office'.
There have been occasions in the history of the fight of faith when conciliatory methods, gentleness, and
forbearance, even concessions to weakness and ignorance, have been the noblest actions of the good soldiers of
Jesus Christ: there have been times, however, when a Luther must nail his thesis to the cathedral door, when - to
change the figure - the tactics of the enemy, or the nature of the battle, demand short, sharp work. The truth must be
upheld at all cost; then highly respected leaders of Christian thought sink by comparison with the truth at stake into
the contemptible position of `somebodies' and `somewhats', even though they `seemed to be pillars'; then Peter
himself must be withstood to the face, and even angels from heaven could not escape a reiterated anathema.
The apostle, led by the spirit of truth, saw the leavening process of a carnal religion spoiling the labour of
devoted service; enslaving those who had been made Christ's free men; jeopardizing `the truth of the gospel';
sullying for ever the grace of God, and the cross of Christ; putting in its place `a fair show in the flesh'; a slavish,
undispensational, and traditional adherence to an obsolete law; the voice of Hagar and Ishmael for the voice of Sarah
and Isaac; the rite of circumcision for the perfect emancipation of sonship: in fact, a blasting and withering of leaf,
flower, and fruit, and - but for sovereign grace - of the root itself.