Download discussion questions:  Galatians 1:15 – 2:4
Calvary Institute – Fall 2018 Index

Becoming Disciples, Making Disciples

Continuing the Calvary Institute theme of making disciples who make disciples, we started with an outline shared with me by our pastor at Calvary Restoration Church:

• Invest in the lives of people – time, energy, money, resources.
• Invite people into your life – your home, your leisure time, your story
• Introduce people – to other Christians and ultimately to Christ

Our group divided into groups of three (and not with other family members) and discussed the questions:  “Who are people who invested, invited, and introduced you in ways that were spiritually forming?  What did that look like?”  Thinking back to the process of our own spiritual walk can be helpful in seeing how we might help invest, invite, and introduce others.

Observation

When we turned to the passage in Galatians, we started with the questions, “What do you notice about this passage?  What draws your attention?”

Several people mentioned the surprising amount of detail about times and places and people Paul includes in the brief section.  If you circle all the time references, underline all the locations, and box around the individuals or groups mentioned, the emphasis becomes obvious.  Our group listed the various details provided by Paul.

• Times: “when” (v. 15); “not immediately” (v. 16); “three years”, “fifteen days” (v. 18); “afterward” (v. 21); “fourteen years” (2:1)
• Locations: “Jerusalem” (v. 17, 18, 2:1); “Arabia” (v. 17); “Syria and Cilicia” (v. 21), “Judea” (v. 22)
• Persons: “God”, “mother” (v. 15); “Cephas” (v. 18); “apostles”, “James” (v. 19); “Judean churches”, (v. 22), “Barnabas”, (2:1), “Titus” (2:1, 3); “false brothers (v. 4)

Documented Accountability

Unlike our twenty-first-century obsession with exact dates and times, that degree of precision does not occur often in first-century literature.  The reasonable interpretive questions based on those observations are, “Why does Paul find it necessary?  Why would the Galatian churches care?”

Apparently Paul was continuing the defense of the authenticity of his own preaching.  He was not repeating rumors or “hearsay impressions” about God’s message.  Paul’s preaching was from direct divine revelation (v. 15-16; cf. 1:11-12).  The detailed record of his travels and timeline provide evidence of who he consulted and when he communicated with other authoritative sources.  As one person in our group pointed out, the level of detail was providing Paul’s accountability:  “If you don’t believe me, ask any of the people I mentioned.  They will confirm my story.”  He might have been anticipating the Galatians’ doubts when he emphasizes, “I’m not lying” (v. 20).

Hints About the Problem

Paul launched into his rebuke of the Galatian churches early in his letter, starting in 1:6 – “I am astonished” (ESV), “amazed” (NASB).  Up to this point in the letter, he has not expressed exactly what the particular problem is.  Perhaps the Galatians already knew, but maybe not.  Maybe they were asking, “What did we do wrong?”

In this passage, Paul begins to give some clues about his complaint.  He points out that one of his companions, Titus was a Greek, a Gentile, a non-Jew, who had become a believer.  Paul was in Jerusalem to consult the original leaders of the church, and he was seeking clarification and confirmation of his understanding of the gospel itself.  Whatever corrections or adjustments Paul’s message needed (if any), they did not include a requirement for Gentile Titus to undergo the Jewish ceremony of circumcision.

Circumcision was a non-issue for the Jerusalem leaders including the original Apostles of Jesus.  Other less distinguished advisors (“false brothers”, v. 4) made circumcision an essential part of the Christian life.  By extension, committed Christians would also keep the rest of the Jewish law and cultural rules.  Christianity grew out of Jewish roots.  Jesus Himself was a Jew.  Wouldn’t it make sense to include that heritage as part of following the Jewish Messiah, Christ?

Paul’s understanding of the gospel revealed to him was centered on God’s grace (repeatedly mentioned already in this letter; 1:3, 6, 15).  Adding any requirements, no matter how logical, would dilute grace.  The free gift would come with strings attached.  No wonder Paul was amazed and astonished and inflexibly harsh on anyone compromising grace (“let him be accursed,” 1:8,9).  As we continue in the study of Galatians in future weeks, we will see more of Paul’s response and his exhortations to them.

Teachable, Humble Confidence

Finally, our discussion turned to another of Paul’s concerns.  Was his own understanding of the gospel correct?  Could he have spent those fourteen-plus years “running in vain” (Galatians 2:2)?  Had he been wasting his time, even wasting his life?  The Galatians seemed to be doubting Paul.  Was he doubting himself?

We considered what “running in vain” might have meant to Paul (and to us).  From the context he seemed to subject himself to the same scrutiny he applied to the “false brothers” (v. 4).  His second visit to Jerusalem (2:1) was to meet with the “recognized leaders” (v. 2) to lay before them the content of his preaching.  He was careful to point out that this was a private consultation (v. 2) rather than a public confrontation.  The leaders of the Jerusalem church could then judge if his message to those outside of Judaism was still true to the gospel Jesus brought first to the Jews.  Was his information incomplete?  Was he missing part of the gospel?  The result of the meeting must have been a confirmation, since nothing more was required of Titus, one of Paul’s gentile converts (v. 3).

Our group noted the humility of Paul in subjecting his ministry to others in authority.  He demonstrated his teachability and willingness to learn and to correct his message where necessary.  As one person pointed out, Paul was anything but wishy-washy.  Being teachable and listening to potentially different opinions about our beliefs is healthy humility, not feeble faith.  Later, when he was writing this present letter to the Galatians, his confidence had been confirmed by the Jerusalem affirmation.  A teachable spirit and a confident faith reinforce each other, always wanting to refine and improve our understanding of God’s truth.  That refining and clarifying process builds our confidence in what we believe.  Often an unwillingness to discuss or even listen to another person’s view indicates insecurity in our own convictions.

We talked briefly about how to ensure that we are not “running in vain” and how to help others avoid that tragic waste.  Certainly careful, methodical inductive Bible study is crucial, always subjecting our doctrine to the authority of Scripture.  Group discussions within the parameters of the Bible is our opportunity, like Paul, to test our beliefs along with others in the process of spiritual formation.

A sound theological framework also provides a filter for our understanding.  For that reason, one of the goals of Calvary Institute during this Fall is to consider Spiritual Theology.  A brief outline of the themes that run through the Bible can help us avoid “running in vain” as we consider different viewpoints.  We looked at an overview of “Seven Questions of Spiritual Theology” that will continue to be part of our discussion in the coming weeks.  Another short summary by Dr. Larry Crabb is also available in an interview on the Internet.

 

Calvary Institute for Fall 2018 is about learning from our study of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, about understanding the framework of Spiritual Theology, and about practicing Soul Care listening can help us avoid running in vain.  May our time together continue to make us joyful, passionate disciples to make joyful passionate disciples.