By Jesus Christ Gal. 1:1-5 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
In the first five verses of Galatians chapter 1 we find a number of things that are by Jesus Christ. Paul starts out by saying that his apostleship is by Jesus Christ. But by the time he gets through the first five verses we find there are several more things that are by Jesus Christ.
Paul’s apostleship was by Jesus Christ – Gal 1:1 – apostles were needful for the body of Christ [Eph 4:11-15] – apostles had to be witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection [Acts 1:21-26] since he was raised from the dead [Gal 1:1] – Paul was certainly a witness [1 Cor 15:8-9] – thus, there is no such thing as apostolic succession since men today could not have witnessed his resurrection, though some men are fakers professing to have the signs of an apostle [2 Cor 12:12] – there’s no need for apostles now since apostles are in the foundation of the household of God [Eph 2:20] and we are well beyond the foundation; the building is nearly completed.
Churches are by Jesus Christ – Gal 1:2 – at least they should be by Jesus and not by men [contrast the ‘churches’ of Charles Taze Russell, Joe Smith, Alexander Campbell and the popes] – these churches of Galatia are local churches in Galatia which is in modern day Turkey – though local churches and the church [Eph 1:22-23] are different things, those who are in the church, the body of Christ [1 Cor 12:13, Eph 5:30-32], should be active members of a Bible-believing local church [Heb 10:25; 1 Cor 12:18].
Grace is by Jesus Christ – Gal 1:3 – we must go to the throne of grace to get grace [Heb 4:16] – the Lord says that it is “My grace,” [2 Cor 12:9-10] – we need the grace of God in churches to do the will of God [Jn 15:5] and to keep together in accomplishing his will.
Peace is by Jesus Christ – Gal 1:3 – notice that the Godhead together supply peace to us – peace is one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit [Gal 5:22-23] – peace is supplied by God in prayer [Phil 4:6-7] – and we have peace with God through Jesus Christ because we are justified by his blood [Rom 5:1-2].
Salvation is by Jesus Christ – Gal 1:4 – Jesus died for and saves us from our sins [Matt 1:21; 1 Jn 2:2; 1 Pet 2:24] – we need to be saved to be members of New Testament local churches – unfortunately most churches today are not New Testament local churches and most of their members are not saved.
Deliverance is by Jesus Christ – Gal 1:4 – Jesus Christ delivers us from this present EVIL world when we get saved [1 Jn 2:15-17; Jas 4:4] – the local church should be the place you go to get away from the world – Jesus doesn’t want the world in church [1 Jn 5:19] – so churches that bring the world in to get up a crowd are not by Jesus Christ.
Glory to God is by Jesus Christ – Gal 1:5 – Jesus glorified God when he was on the earth and he wants us to glorify God in our churches [Rom 15:5-9; Eph 3:21].