• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

"God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ."

Text: Galatians 1:3b

PAULINE THEOLOGY

Paul’s epistle displayed very clear theological ideas. Even in his greetings, distinct Pauline theology may be discerned.

1. The Doctrine of God

a) He is called “God the Father” (Galatians 1:1b, 3).

b) This expression was consistently employed in other epistles (Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 1:2a; Colossians 1:3).

c) In what sense is He called God the Father?

i) He is God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:2; Colossians 1:3).

ii) This understanding is in full agreement with the gospel writers (Matthew 3:17; Luke 3:22).

iii) He is also God and Father of all believers (Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 1:3).

iv) This accords well with what the apostle John wrote (John 20:17).

d) He is the One who raised Jesus from the dead (Galatians 1:1).

e) Paul was fulfilling his part as an apostle bearing witness of the resurrection of Christ (Acts 1:22b).

2. The Doctrine of Jesus Christ

a) He is called Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:1).

i) He is not merely Jesus of Nazareth.

ii) He is Jesus the Christ, that is, Jesus the promised Messiah, the Anointed One.

b) He is the One who gave to Paul his apostleship (Galatians 1:1).

c) The original twelve apostles received their apostleship through the Lord Jesus Christ.

d) Paul wrote that he was appointed an apostle by Jesus Christ in His rightful discharge of Divine authority (2 Timothy 1:11).

3. Shared Divine Prerogatives

a) God is naturally understood as the Giver of grace and peace. This is well evidenced in the Old Testament (Exodus 34:6-7; Micah 7:8-9).

b) Jesus is now declared as the Giver of grace and peace too simply because He is Lord (Galatians 1:3b).

c) In Pauline theology, Jesus is equal to God (Philippians 2:6).

4. Sending of Christian greetings.

Both God and Father are mentioned in the same breath! Paul equates equality between Jesus and God the Father!