Oscar Joseph, a servant of Jesus, husband of one wife and glad dad of twelve! Married in 1981. Former classroom teacher, church pastor. Author and speaker.
"and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions."
Gal 1:14
Zeal for religion and tradition is one way we deceive ourselves by thinking that we are good apart from Jesus.
"For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it;"
Gal 1:13
Our life before Christ should be part of our spiritual credentials.
Me in the 80's: "Most Christians are too heavenly minded to be any earthly good"
Me in the 2020's: "Most Christians are not heavenly minded enough to be any earthly good"
"For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ."
Gal 1:12
Paul's credential for teaching as an apostle was his direct revelation from Jesus.
"For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man."
Gal 1:11
Paul's gospel message has divine origin and authority.
"For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ."
Gal 1:10
You can't be both a man-pleaser and a God-pleaser.
@MikeWingerii This is why a true believer in evolution must be a racist and a eugenicist to be consistent with its conclusions. Only Jesus has the solution for our differences.
"As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!"
Gal 1:9
Churches must corporately recognize and reject teachers of false doctrine.
"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!"
Gal 1:9
False teaching is grounds for breaking even the deepest personal loyalties.
"which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ."
Gal 1:7
False teachers destabilize believers and then sell them a twisted theology.
"I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;"
Gal 1:6
Embracing bad theology is actually deserting Jesus.
"who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,"
Gal 1:4
God intended the cross of Christ to free us from evil influences.
"...and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:"
Gal 1:2
Your credentials in introductions should include other Christians who are standing with you in the faith.