Lesson 4 - Paul Defends His Gospel
3. What evidence or arguments could the Judaizers have used to convince the Galatians to listen to them, rather than Paul? In other words, what made the Judaizers so persuasive?
It’s possible that a number of things could be having influence on these young believers.
The first point is that Paul and the Judaizers were using the same source material. The New Testament wasn’t written yet. In fact, Galatians is likely the first or second book of the 27 New Testament books that was written. So, when Paul had come and preached Christ to the Galatians, he had done so from the same source material (the Old Testament) that the Judaizers were now using to tell the Galatians that if they wanted to be saved and live a life honoring to God, that they must submit to the rest of the Law.
Second, keep in mind that since this was one of the first of the New Testament books (letters) to be written, they didn’t have the wealth of NT revelation available to us today. That said, we do have it, and many are still led astray by false gospels today. If the Judaizers were intent on proving the necessity of obeying the Law (which it’s clear they were), it wouldn’t have been hard to do so without clear NT teachings like this letter.
Finally, the Judaizers are there, in person. Meanwhile, Paul has been absent for a year or two. The Jews were experts in arguing and defending Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophets (even if they weren’t experts in living by them). It’s easy to understand why these young believers could be swayed by the constant pressure of the Jews reasonable, well-thought-out arguments (even though they were incorrect).
Going Deeper
1. If we are to understand Paul as being sent exclusively to the Gentiles and Peter being sent exclusively to the Jews, why do both men have such extensive ministries with the other group?
Perhaps you’ve never encountered this argument before. However, there are those who are strongly (and loudly) convicted that Gentiles (non-Jews) in the Church only need the letters of the Apostle Paul. While, at the same time, Jewish Christians only need those of the Jewish Apostles (or, at the very least, don’t need Paul’s letters).
The truth of the matter is, God’s word never establishes such an expectation as this. Paul clearly had a powerful and productive ministry among Jews he met and ministered to while traveling outside of Judea. And, Peter clearly understood his ministry as not exclusive to any one people group.
If we come to the text with that presupposition, we can try to force that into the text. However, when we allow God’s message, delivered by His spokesmen, to speak for itself, we will not come to that conclusion.
3. All things considered, is there a “different gospel” that needs to be preached to the two groups? Re-read Acts 15:11.
There are not two different gospels! There is only one message by which by people can be saved; the gospel of Jesus Christ which is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). To suggest otherwise put you into the same condemnation Paul declares against these Judaizers.
That said, we should acknowledge that how the gospel is presented can (and should) differ depending on the circumstances and context. But this is the difference between method and content. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a message with particular content. But that content can be communicated through many methods.
I’ve seen the gospel accurately presented to a room full of children while a man does slight-of-hand tricks. While effective, that method isn’t the only way. Someone sin-hardened and whose conscience has been seared may need a long and thorough exposure to God’s righteousness and holiness before they see their need for a Savior. While, conversely, someone who understands their sinfulness may come begging for the good news of what God has done for them.
These are differences in method. However, the gospel is the good news they need.