Galatians 1:11-14

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.

Paul again is reminding his audience of the “God vs. Man” argument (apparent in verse 14’s ‘traditions of my fathers’ statement). Paul is uniquely qualified as an Apostle and therefore, his message is unique from all other Apostles. This is why he has claimed in other places to be one “abnormally born” as an apostle – actually it means still born, or premature. It wasn’t a dream of man, a cunning story, a legend or a myth—it was Christ himself who appear and then taught Paul. Christians too often skip over these outrageous matters of Faith. I, Josh, believe Jesus rose from the grave in a new form, was later glorified and went to be with God the Father – but came back to earth to appear to Saul/Paul in the middle of the desert. It is weird, to be frank, it is abnormal. Not impossible by any means, just out of the ordinary.

This brings up a large point: REVELATION. It usurps all. Disclosure, especially seeing that the Bible claims to be a running commentary on the plan of God to conquer sin, death and to re-create a world again, post-redemption. Several times God surprises men with further revelations of his plan—these plans actually, in retrospect, make complete sense…but were somewhat hidden.

Such a surprise was this man who was “zealous” (literally meaning ‘daring the sword’ aka willing to die and willing to kill) for the TRADITIONS (somewhat corrupted by the time of Jesus and Paul) of the Elders and yet missing the point of God’s heart, desire and plan for ALL the NATIONS. Please Google Isaiah 45:22-23.

Bottom Line:

1- We also must see the contrast of God’s will (revelation) when man’s traditions (straying from previous revelation) have failed to keep the fences up guarding God’s will—or have readjusted the fences and are limiting consideration of God’s soverignity in his work.

2- Paul is making an argument even that this is happening in the Church of Christ. That this same zealous fervor for the “traditions” that is threatening to split Christianity and worse yet – is perverting the true nature, freedom and promise of the Gospel of Christ! I very large warning is beginning to be made… and history screams of the forgetfulness of the Church with this early episode in the regions of Galatia.

As I sit here in India:

I must always enjoy my heritage and history in Christ. However—when the type of _______ (fill blank in with music, preaching, service, missions trip, etc) becomes a model that I use as a striking stone with all other Christian experiences, I need to seriously consider the abiblical (nonbiblical) and perhaps anti-biblical nature of the American traditions surrounding our ideas of “church”. It is fine to add to the various activities of the church if it helps the mission—however it is not okay to add to the simplicity of the prophecies, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus of Nazareth.