Galatians 1:13-14

Proof of its divine origin. Galatians 1:13-24

a) His early life was adverse to the gospel. Galatians 1:13-14

TEXT 1:13, 14

(13) For ye have heard of my manner of life in time past in the Jews-' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and made havoc of it: (14) and I advanced in the Jews-' religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

PARAPHRASE 1:13, 14

13 To convince you of this, I appeal to my behaviour, both before and after I was made an apostle. Ye have heard, certainly, in what manner I behaved formerly, while I professed Judaism; that I exceedingly persecuted the church of God, and laid it waste.

14 And my enmity to the gospel was occasioned by my making progress in Judaism, (Acts 22:3), above many who were of the same age with myself in mine own nation; being more exceedingly zealous than any of them in maintaining the traditions of my fathers, in which, as a Pharisee, I placed the whole of religion.

COMMENT 1:13

beyond measure

1.

It was not a limited persecutionhe went all out.

2.

This zeal against the church spread his reputation as a persecutor.

my manner of life in time past

1.

He was of the strictest sect of the Pharisees. Philippians 3:5

2.

He was zealous for the law, as were all good Pharisees.

I persecuted the church

1.

Paul consented to Stephen's death. Acts 8:1

2.

Because I persecuted the church of God. 1 Corinthians 15:9

3.

I was before a blasphemer and a persecutor, and injurious. 1 Timothy 1:13

4.

... letters to bring them unto Jerusalem in bonds to be punished. Acts 22:4-5

the church of God

1.

Several names of the church are revealed in scripture.

a.

The ChurchUniversal, Acts 9:31

b.

Church of GodPlanner. 1 Corinthians 1:2

c.

Church of the first bornHonor. Hebrews 12:23

d.

Body of ChristActivity. 1 Corinthians 12:27

e.

Churches of ChristOwnership. Romans 16:16

f.

Churches of saintsCharacter. 1 Corinthians 14:33

g.

Churches of the gentiles. Romans 16:4

2.

Observe the significance of church names today.

a.

They honor men.

b.

They honor doctrines.

c.

They honor forms of church government.

made havoc of it

1.

This, of course, refers to the people and not the buildings.

2.

This was a strike against the authority of Christ.

a.

Gave him to be head over all things to the church. Ephesians 1:22-23

b.

All authority hath been given unto me. Matthew 28:18

c.

Why persecutest thou me? Acts 9:4

COMMENT 1:14

advanced in the Jews-' religion

1.

Was Paul the rich young ruler?

2.

There are some who feel that he was.

a.

Paul was called and was kicking against the goad. Acts 26:14

b.

There is a possibility that this began when he went sorrowing away from Christ.

3.

Hear what he says about himself:

a.

I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Romans 11:1

b.

If any other man thinketh to have confidence in the flesh, I yet more: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; as touching zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless. Philippians 3:4-6

being more exceedingly zealous

1.

Who else would travel like Paul to stamp out heresy as he was doing to the church?

2.

Zeal characterized Paul, out of the church and in it, against it and for it.

for the traditions

1.

What does tradition mean?

a.

It can mean doctrine of Godhold fast the traditions (1 Corinthians 11:2).

b.

It may mean doctrines of men as well as doctrines of the law here.

2.

What were some traditions of men?

a.

Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees for enlarging the borders of their garments.

b.

The scribes and Pharisees held to wrong Sabbath observances, and condemned Christ for:

1)

Healing. Matthew 5:1-10

2)

Casting out demons. Luke 13:10-16

3)

Plucking ears of grain. Matthew 12:1-8

my fathers

1.

This may mean the patriarchsAbraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, etc.

2.

It may mean his own immediate religious fathers.

a.

Perhaps Gamaliel, Paul's highly respected teacher, is meant. There stood up one in the council a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honor of all the people. Acts 5:34 I am a Jew. brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law. Acts 22:3

b.

Paul had a respect for his teachers, even though they were wrong.

WORD STUDY 1:14

Zealous (zeloteszay LOW tase) is literally being a zealot or fanatic. This word is also found describing Simon the Canaanean in Acts 1:13, who was fanatical in a political sense.

STUDY QUESTIONS 1:13, 14

76.

What is meant by beyond measure?

77.

Tell of Paul's past.

78.

Was he a trouble maker then?

79.

What did he persecute?

80.

What names does he give to the church?

81.

Is there a name or are there names for the church?

82.

Why are there scriptural names for the church?

83.

Do we need to give new names to God's church?

84.

How did Paul make havoc?

85.

Discuss Paul's advancement.

86.

How did he compare to others in zeal?

87.

What does the word tradition mean?

88.

Is it always a bad word when used religiously?

89.

Name some traditions condemned by Jesus.

90.

Do we have false teachers teaching them today?

91.

Is a false teaching less evil when accepted by a respected denomination?

92.

What does he mean by fathers?

b) His separation, call and early preaching were not from men. Galatians 1:15-17