Why are the Galatians 1 verses important for understanding Paul's apostleship?
The Galatians 1 verses are important because they certify that Paul's gospel was not after man; he did not receive it from the Twelve in Jerusalem, a seminary, or denominational leaders. They establish that his apostleship and message came directly from the Lord, making them tantamount to understanding his apostleship.
Les explains that Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:23, "For I have received of the Lord," showing he did not get it from the Twelve in Jerusalem, a seminary, or a denominational bigwig. Les then takes us back to Galatians 1 to compare Scripture with Scripture. Those verses certify that the gospel Paul preached was not after man, and Les says they are tantamount to our understanding of Paul's apostleship.
When did Paul write the book of Galatians?
Paul wrote the book of Galatians around 58 or 59 AD, approximately twenty years after his conversion. His conversion occurred around 37 AD on the road to Damascus. This places Galatians about eighteen years after he began his ministry around 40 AD.
Who is the central character of Galatians and what was revealed to him?
The central character of Galatians is the apostle Paul, whose apostleship is recounted in the book. To Paul were revealed the doctrines of Grace, not Law—truths not confined to the nation of Israel but extending primarily to the Gentiles while also including the Jew.