Sunday, August 4, 2013

Paul, Christ's apostle

Galatians 1:1-2

Paul here introduces himself as an apostle who was commissioned not by men, but by the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father. 

Paul knew exactly who sent him to preach the good news of Jesus Christ. Paul was not sent by men, but by Jesus Christ Himself.

Paul was converted not by men, but by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who met Paul when he was on his way to Damascus.

It was important for Paul to let Galatian Christians know that he was sent by the Lord Jesus, and not by men.

Paul also reiterates the truth that God the Father raised Jesus Christ from the dead. It is the gospel, that God raised the Lord Jesus from the dead. Jesus is now alive, and it is this Jesus who was now raised to life that met Paul on the road to Damascus and saved him from his error. 

When Paul sent this letter to Galatians, he was not alone. He was with other brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul, along with other brothers and sisters with him greets Galatians in this letter.

The importance of the greeting that Paul begins the letter with is that his authority does not stem from other men but rather from the Lord Jesus and God the Father Himself.

It was God Himself who commissioned Paul to do the work of an evangelist and sent him to Galatia to preach the gospel to them.

Therefore, likewise, we, as Christians, must remind ourselves that we are in Christ, and we have been commissioned by the Lord Jesus Himself as well, as He proclaimed in Matthew 28:18-20.

  • And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 
  • Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 
  • teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Yes, Jesus was with Paul all his days, even, to his martyrdom, so will He be with us until we go to heaven to meet the Lord, or until He comes back to the earth again.

Let us remind ourselves of the fact that we are ambassadors for Christ in this world.

2 Corinthians 5:20
  • Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

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