Lesson 508

(Lesson 508)(01-06-13) Galatians 1:1-12, "Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

In this lesson, Paul sends greetings to the Christians in Galatia, very clearly emphasizing that his appointment to the Apostleship had come from God through Jesus Christ. He did this to re-establish his credentials as the true messenger of the gospel of Christ, as opposed to those who were trying to distort what he had taught. He reminded the Galatians that he was taken up and taught that gospel by Jesus Himself.

He immediately began to condemn them for their weakness in straying from the pure gospel he had before preached to them.

He urged the Galatians to separate themselves from anyone teaching anything other than the word that had delivered them to Christ, and to beware of those who would attempt to alter his message.
This lesson is more evidence that, even in the earliest days, and among some whom had personally known of Jesus and His ministry, Christianity was under constant attack by the workings of Satan and his angels.

Today there are countless false variations of the very simple plan of eternal salvation that was preached by Paul and the other Apostles. Mankind has continually tried to add unnecessary steps and pompous procedures to that plan, attempting to make themselves a part of something that comes ONLY, and purely, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and God's grace.

Many profess the scripturally unfounded idea that they must be personally responsible for remitting their own sins by subjecting themselves to water baptisms and other meaningless rites.

It behooves all who seek eternal salvation to learn and place their faith in the only true means of achieving that salvation.

Acts 16:30-31 in part, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."~