The Epistle to the Galatians Feb 7, 2010 Bob Eckel 1 Paul’s History Reviewed: Galatians 1:13,14 Galatians 1:13,14 – “For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and [tried to] destroy it. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.” –Pertains entirely to his former way of life as a Pharisee Jews' religion or Judaism –Hebrew - expresses the language –Jew - the nationality, as distinguished from the Gentiles –Israelite - the highest title, the religious privileges, as a member of the theocracy Judaism reflects external observances, ordinances, traditions –Never to be equated with salvation or spirituality What comes to mind when someone asks you about your religion?

The Epistle to the Galatians Feb 7, 2010 Bob Eckel 2 Paul’s History Reviewed: Galatians 1:13,14 –Mark 7:13 "making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do." –The verbs persecuted, tried to destroy (ravage, put to waste), and advanced (cut forward, blaze a way) are imperfect active tense – a continuous action in the past –it (the church – unified), »Acts 8:1-3 “Now Saul was consenting to his [Stephen’s] death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen [to his burial], and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing [them] to prison. »Acts 9:1,2 – “Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”

The Epistle to the Galatians Feb 7, 2010 Bob Eckel 3 Paul’s History Reviewed: Galatians 1:13,14 »Acts 9:13,14 “Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” Then when preaching Christ in the synagogue in Damascus immediately after his conversion, –Acts 9:21 “Then all who heard were amazed, and said, ‘Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?’” And Paul himself said –Acts 22:4 "I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women,” –Acts 26:9-11 "Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

The Epistle to the Galatians Feb 7, 2010 Bob Eckel 4 Paul’s History Reviewed: Galatians 1:13,14 –Gal 1:23 “But they were hearing only, "He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.“ –1 Cor 15:9 “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” –Phil 3:6 “concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” –1 Tim 1:13 “although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” Paul did it all extremely well in the tradition of Judaism –He was proficient, above his equals, and more zealous Acts 26:5 "They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.” The word zealot means to burn with zeal, or to boil. The Greek used the term to describe an imitator or admirer.

The Epistle to the Galatians Feb 7, 2010 Bob Eckel 5 Paul’s History Reviewed: Galatians 1:13,14 There was also a party of Zealots (developed from the Pharisees), a group of what would be called "hot-heads”, who brought on the war with Rome. However, the term zealous can also be applied to us as NT believers –Titus 2:14 “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” Always remembering –Col 2:8 “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” –Matt 15:3 “He answered and said to them, ‘Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?’” –Sometimes we forget that Paul was also the son of a Pharisee Acts 23:6 “But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!

The Epistle to the Galatians Feb 7, 2010 Bob Eckel 6 Paul’s History Reviewed: Galatians 1:13,14 –Can you envision such a change in Saul (to Paul) that is man taught and humanly possible? Is this learning the facts, i.e. a process of intellectualism? Is this simply trying harder? If not, then what is it? –Make sure you are here next week! Reflect on this personally! –What is your history here? –Are you still relying on the traditions of men? –John 8:31-36 “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How [can] You say, 'You will be made free'?" Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, [but] a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”