Galatians 1:1-5

Paul, apostle not from men nor through a man but through Jesus Christ and God Father who raised him from the dead, and who [are] with me all brothers to the churches in Galatia, grace to you and peace from God Father and our Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins for the purpose of removing us from the present evil time according to the will of God and our Father to whom the glory forever amen. (Own Translation)

1. Paul's apostleship did not originates from or in man. He did not receive the title 'apostle' from some council or organization. He received the commission from Jesus Christ and God. This si so unlike certain 'apostles' of our time who received their title from some manmade council. The more ridiculous thing is that those who dish out the titles do not feel ashamed at all. Who gives them the authority to 'knight' themselves and others as apostle? The only authorized person to give another that honor is Jesus Christ (who gave himself for our sins) and God (who raised Jesus from the dead).

2. Jesus did not climbout of the tomb by himself. It is God Father who caused him to come back from the dead. The resurrection was accomplished by the power of God.

3. Paul has a community that stands with him (the brothers with him). This community to certain extend act as the guarantor of Paul's message and character. Church is a community that backs up the message of her messenger and acts as the discerning body as well. Today we don't see the church members fulfilling this role. The Senior Pastor becoems the gatekeeper and the members are passive. But this was not the way it was...may we regain this precious heritage lost in institutionalized church.

4. The purpose of Jesus' sacrifice is to remove us from this evil age. How many times have we forgotten that life in Christ begins here on earth and not in heaven. We must start to live the kind of life that God intents for us and not slack and wait to go heaven.

5. Jesus die according to the will of God. Jesus said the same thing in John, "this command I receive from my Father, to lay down my life and to pick it up again."