Galatians 1
1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
No man called Paul or ordained him. God is The Only One that can do this.
2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 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:
Christ is The Way to freedom. Once you believe what He did and repent in His name, you are no longer part of the trappings of this world and satan has NO hold on you! You can have peace of mind knowing it is done.
5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Once you give your flesh over to The Lord, you have a part in The Kingdom to come. These things of the earth, have nothing for you. You're a new creature in The Lord. Do your best and stay in The Word EVERYDAY as to grow into what we should be as Christians. If you reject The Word, calling yourself a Christian doesn't change the FACT you are not. You will follow satans tricks today and when he arrives to deceive even more people.
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Paul was surprised at the people in Galatia. While he was gone, they listened to the legalistic Jews and turned away from The Word of God and back to legalism under the law. They rejected the blood of Christ and that sacrifice that was given to all. Did you know that if you have a Church that tells you that "you must be baptized to be saved" they're the same as these?
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
What Paul is saying here is, what you're listenting to isn't nowhere the same as The True Gospel. It is another word from satan. Christ paid the price, once and FOR ALL.
8 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.
If it's not the Gospel of Christ being spoken, that one should have a mountain crush them. A day WILL come that they will regret and there are many of them today.
9 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.
Those that would tamper with the pure gospel of Christ, after the price has been paid, should be cursed, especially to our generation. Look at what has been done since the 70's to The Word of God. This is why I ONLY use The King James Bible. The rest are junk, only to use as a door stop or toilet paper.
10 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.
If you're in it to please people, you're not in The Truth, but are one of satans puppets. I'm sure you can see I don't care what ANYONE thinks of me but my Father ONLY.
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Paul guarantees lawfully that the gospel that was given to him on the road to Damascus was of God and not of any person.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Paul heard The Truth from Christ directly. We can hear The Word from others, but we must be willing to study it that we understand and God will helps us get there. In this world today, most "pastors" don't teach within context, nor do they teach Chapter for Chapter and verse for verse. You would be blessed if they gave you ten verses in a row without going off about some part in their life for fifteen minutes. We must study The Word rightly dividing it and staying in the context of what is being said. If we do the work, God will reveal the meaning to us.
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
At one time Paul followed right along with the Kenites twisting of The Word. He is pointing out it was no secret and the fact it was a waste of time.
14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Within the Jewish traditions, Paul was seen as one of the most hard core followers of those traditions the Kenites perpetrated.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
Paul was chosen before he was even in his mother's womb. He stood against satan in the first age and was a good man for the job. Acts 9 :10-15 10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, [Ananias], Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
With all that study Paul had over the years, God gave him the understanding in such a way we ourselves would never comprehend. Paul knew little until The Holy Spirit opened his eyes to the Meat of it.
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
When Paul had that Meat of The Word, he didn't go back to Jerusalem, he went right to work letting ALL know of The Truth of Christ.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
Paul didn't talk to any other apostles, except for James.
20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
Paul is reassuring the churches at Galatia that its not humans words they're reading and hearing, but Gods only.
21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
After Paul left Galatia he went to Syria and Cilicia. You can read more of Paul's journey in Acts Chapter 9.
22 And was unknown by face
unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
Paul hadn't talked with any of them before. He hadn't
until after his first missionary journey and return to Antioch. Never met
face to face until then.
23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
All knew Paul helped with the stoning of Christians and the church knew Paul's repentance. Anyone can change, it's a matter of when as this second may be the last.
24 And they glorified God in me.