Reformed Presbytery in North America GM

Paul now continues his defense against false teachers by showing from his own personal history that the apostles in Jerusalem confirmed his apostleship and the gospel he preached as both coming from Christ. The main points from our text are: (1) The Gospel Paul Preached Was Confirmed by Apostolic Word (Galatians 2:1-2); (2) The Gospel Paul Preached Was Confirmed by Apostolic Deed (Galatians 2:3-5). The reason Paul argues at such length is not because he was just too sensitive or was so defensive—it is not about him—it's about Christ and the gospel. The very gospel of salvation through faith alone in Christ alone is at stake. For if Jesus did not call him by supernatural revelation to be an apostle and if Jesus did not teach him the gospel he preached, then the false teachers were right that his gospel was not of divine origin but of human origin (and therefore a false gospel). Everything hinges upon his call by Christ to be an apostle and upon Christ having taught him the gospel he preached.

This is Part 2 to the sermon from last Lord's Day, but before moving to the last point in Paul's historical treatment of his post-conversion experience and how no man called him to be an apostle (though Jesus did) and no man taught him the gospel he preached (though Jesus did), I wanted to address who Paul met with in his visit to Jerusalem: Peter and James, the Lord's brother (Galatians 1:19). We know who Peter was (and comments were made about Paul's visit with Peter), but who was James, who is called "the Lord's brother"? Did Jesus have a brother through Mary (a half-brother)? The answer to this question does not necessarily determine whether one is orthodox or not or even reformed or not (many of the Reformers believed this James was not a brother of Jesus through Mary, but either a step-brother through Joseph in a previous marriage or a cousin of Jesus). And yet, I do want to share my thoughts because it may lead (not necessarily lead, but possibly lead) to some views of Mary that are unwarranted/unbiblical.

The Churches of Galatia had gladly received the good news of freedom from the guilt, condemnation, and power of sin that Christ brings to all who trust alone in Christ alone. Through the preaching of Paul they had begun walking in this liberty purchased for them by Christ (in about 46-47 A.D), but within a couple years, false teachers (Jewish converts to Christianity) were promoting another gospel, which was really not another gospel (good news), but was bad news for sinners. It implied that Christ's perfect righteousness and perfect sacrifice for sin were not sufficient for the complete justification of a believing sinner before a holy God. To Christ's perfect work must be added one's own obedience to God's law in order to be declared righteous by God, it was claimed. Paul writes this letter to expose this false gospel of bondage and to expound the true gospel of freedom in Christ.

In the Old Testament the Lord Himself many times appealed to Israel as His covenanted wife to be faithful to Him and likewise condemned the lovers of Israel who seduced her. Therefore, when we find the Apostle Paul using very strong language in this inspired Letter to the Galatians (perhaps the strongest he uses in all his New Testament letters), he is fully justified in condemning the seducers who were seeking to lead these new Christians from Christ and the truth of the gospel which he preached unto them. It ought not to be shocking to us to hear Paul fighting for the souls of those who are being misled into very dangerous errors and heresies. That's what faithful ministers do—they fight for the souls of those sheep that Christ has given to them to shepherd.

We begin this Lord's Day considering Paul's declaration of freedom to the Churches of Galatia. The letter to the Galatians has been called the Magna Carta of Christian liberty. It was one of the stones used by the Reformers in their sling to bring down the mighty Goliath of Rome during the Protestant Reformation as it enlightened the minds of sinners to the wonders of God's free grace in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul sets forth by inspiration of the Holy Spirit our liberty in Christ from the guilt/condemnation of sin, from the dominion/power of sin, from the fear of death, and from the ceremonies of the Old Testament. And it sets forth not only what we are set free from, but what we are set free unto. In Christ, we are set free to trust, love, and obey our gracious God. True freedom is not doing whatever we want to do (that is worldly bondage) but is doing what God calls/commands us to do. Our Christian liberty in Christ is not my will (and pleases me) but is thy will be done (and what pleases Thee). Anyone can do his/her own will, but only those who have been set free by Christ can do (and love to do) God's will.

We come today to a Psalm that the Lord has used to give courage to saints throughout the ages in facing the rulers of the darkness of this world and all manner of trials, heartaches, afflictions, and death. It was of great encouragement to Luther as he stood against the Papal Roman Empire and would not submit to the tyranny/corruption of the Papacy. Luther, facing danger/death in the cause of truth, is said to have comforted himself and his friend/fellow reformer, Philip Melancthon saying, "Come, Philip, let us sing the forty-sixth Psalm." I dare say that if God used these words to comfort them, we surely shall be comforted with the same inspired words as God sends us forth today. Though we may be shaken, God is not and cannot be shaken—He will bear us up, lift us up, and carry us through the most difficult times of life. He promises to be our Refuge in this blessed Psalm.

In seeking to understand what is meant by an abomination that makes desolate (Daniel 12:11), wehave considered 4 possible interpretations: (1) The idol set up in the Temple in 168-167 B.C. by AntiochusEpiphanes and the persecution of the Jews at that time; (2) The idolatrous ensign set up in the Temple in 70A.D. by Titus at the destruction of the Temple and the Roman persecution of the Jews at that time; (3) Thesitting in a rebuilt Temple by a future Antichrist who will declare himself to be God and the persecution ofJews/Christians at that time; (4) The sitting in the Visible Church of Christ (the New Covenant Temple) by thePapal King/Son of Perdition who usurps the titles and authority of Christ, institutes idolatry in the Church, andinstigates centuries of persecution against faithful saints.