Acts 13-15:35 (Galatians)

If you have your Bibles, open them to the book of Acts. We will be picking up in chapter 12.

If you have ever read the book of Acts before, you know it records the greatest revolution that has ever taken place in the history of the world. Jesus Christ died, resurrected, and ascended to the Father. Before He left, He gave marching orders to a group of misfits just like us who assembled together. He told them, “You are going to receive power when the Spirit of God comes upon you, and you’re going to get moving—to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the remotest parts of the earth.”

A group of 120 people assembled in an upper room were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to communicate the gospel. This gospel was truly good news to everyone who heard it because it was completely different from the message they had been told their entire lives. Religious expression up to that point was entirely rule-based: an issue of obedience, of bringing sacrifice and offering, obeying and obeying and obeying. Much of it depended entirely upon you and what you did. Even the very nature of atonement for sin was tied to what you brought.

When Jesus died on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended to the Father, it was no longer about what you brought. It became entirely about the freedom He brought to you. Men and women whose hearts were set ablaze began sharing Christ with their friends and families, often at great personal peril.

In Acts chapter 7, the first Christian martyr, Stephen, died. Following that persecution, the headquarters of the church shifted north from Jerusalem to the Mediterranean coast in Syria, to a city called Antioch. That is where we catch up with the story at the end of chapter 12.

The Trap of a Performance-Driven Life

Before we watch the gospel move to the remotest parts of the earth, I want to be honest with you. As you watch this story unfold, you are going to realize that their struggles and our struggles are virtually identical. They were a people used to earning the favor of God, just like we are today.

We live in a performance-oriented world. If you work in sales, you know the running joke: you are only as good as your previous month. If you are working a minimum-wage job, you are fighting to prove yourself to your shift leader just to pick up an extra shift and pay your rent. If you wait tables, you are busting your tail for someone who might not deserve a thing from you, but you give them top-notch service because you hope they will leave a little something on the table. You are working hard to earn it.

If you are in school, you understand this performance-driven life completely. You take detailed notes on subjects you could not care less about and will never use again, but you know the test is coming. That test will rank your performance compared to everyone else.

We learn this at an early age. I coach my eight-year-old daughter’s soccer team. They do not even officially keep score in under-eight soccer, but every single parent on the sideline—myself included—knows the exact score. In elementary school, kids learn, “Hey, you’re in the 80th percentile.” They immediately translate that to: “I’m better than most, but not as good as some.”

Or maybe you had this experience growing up: you brought home a report card with all A’s and one B. What did your parents naturally gravitate toward? Your dad looked at it and said, “What happened with the B?” You wanted to say, “Dad, do you not see all the A’s?” But the focus went straight to the flaw. Why? Because we are conditioned to strive, compete, and perform.

We bring that exact same mentality to the things of God. We assume we can earn His favor, so we comfort ourselves by saying, “Well, I’m better than most, even if I’m not as good as some.” We mask it by saying, “God loves me because I’m a good person; I’ve never killed anybody.” What does it even mean to try to perform for God’s favor when the gospel is offered freely?

The message these men took to the world was not a gospel of performance; it was a gospel of freedom. The only thing you and I bring to our salvation is the sin that makes it necessary in the first place. We are all wicked sinners in need of a Savior. Nothing we bring is sufficient, but Christ is completely sufficient, and He offers salvation freely.

The Mission Begins

Look at chapter 12, verse 25. You are going to see three key men who drive this narrative.

Acts 12:25 (NASB)

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, taking along with [them] John, who was also called Mark.

The first is Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement.” He is the kind of guy everyone would love to hang out with because he never draws attention to himself; he constantly lifts up the people around him.

Barnabas went and found a teacher named Saul. We met Saul back in Acts 7, standing in approval at the execution of Stephen and signing the death order. Saul had dedicated his life to squashing this movement before it could spread to Damascus. But on that road, he was blinded by the Lord, had a face-to-face encounter with the resurrected Christ, and his life changed forever.

Saul spent the next three years in the desert with his Scriptures, trying to figure out how he had missed it. He was a brilliant Pharisee who had memorized the Hebrew text, yet he had completely whiffed on the Messiah. Then he spent fourteen years in obscurity in his hometown of Tarsus—just quietly studying, teaching, and waiting. Barnabas went and brought him to Antioch, which had become the main ministry hub.

The third person with them is John Mark, a young man from an affluent family in Jerusalem. It was in John Mark’s mother’s living room that the church gathered to pray when Peter was miraculously delivered from prison. Later in life, John Mark would travel with Peter, record his eyewitness accounts, and write the Gospel of Mark.

In Acts 13, the Holy Spirit sets Barnabas and Saul apart for the work of ministry.

Acts 13:2 (NASB)

While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’

Notice the order: “Barnabas and Saul.” It stays that way until the battle begins. When game time hits, the real team leader steps up. No disrespect to Barnabas, but if you get into a street fight, you do not want the guy whose primary gift is giving hugs to be the point person; you want the bold fighter. Enter the Apostle Paul.

They sail about a hundred miles offshore to the island of Cyprus, where they encounter a Jewish false prophet named Elymas who is actively opposing the gospel.

Acts 13:6 (NASB)

When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus,

Saul—also called Paul—steps forward. Saul is his Hebrew name, and Paul is his Greek name.

Acts 13:9-10 (NASB)

But Saul, who was also [known as] Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, and said, ’You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?

Paul is clearly not worried about winning friends, influencing people, or gaining social media followers. He goes straight for the jugular, calling this man a “son of the devil” and an “enemy of all righteousness.”

They travel across Cyprus, and eventually they set sail for modern-day Turkey.

Acts 13:13 (NASB)

Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem.

At this point, young John Mark decides he has had enough and returns home to Jerusalem. We do not know if he got homesick or overwhelmed, but on their next missionary journey, Paul firmly refuses to take John Mark along because of this desertion. That dispute caused Paul and Barnabas to part ways, with Paul choosing Silas and Barnabas taking Mark to mentor him.

Stones, Scars, and Unstoppable Boldness

Paul and Barnabas press on into Galatia, visiting four major cities: Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. As they preach, massive crowds gather.

Acts 13:44-45 (NASB)

The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and [began] contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming.

Almost the entire city turns out because Paul speaks with extraordinary authority and proclaims a message of pure grace. But religious leaders become consumed with jealousy and stir up opposition.

Paul and Barnabas move on to Iconium, but the city becomes sharply divided.

Acts 14:5 (NASB)

And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them,

A plot is formed to stone them, so they flee to Lystra.

Acts 14:8 (NASB)

At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.

In Lystra, Paul heals a man crippled from birth. When the crowd sees this miracle, they assume Barnabas is Zeus and Paul is Hermes, the messenger god. They begin bringing animals to sacrifice to them.

Acts 14:14 (NASB)

But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out

Paul and Barnabas tear their robes, rush into the crowd, and shout, “We are men just like you!” But the hostile agitators from Antioch and Iconium catch up with them.

Acts 14:19-20 (NASB)

But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.

The mob stones Paul, drags him outside the city gates, and leaves him for dead. Biblical stoning was brutal: victims were often thrown from an elevation and crushed with large boulders until dead.

Think about the profound irony in that moment. Paul was the man who had watched Stephen get stoned to death. As the stones battered his own body, I wonder if Paul thought of Stephen’s face shining like an angel, praying, “Father, forgive them.”

The crowd assumed Paul was dead. Paul later told the Corinthians about an experience where he was caught up to the third heaven and saw things he was not permitted to utter. Perhaps this was the very moment his spirit saw glory.

Yet when the disciples gather around his bruised body, he gets back up on his feet. He does not run away; he walks right back into the very city that just stoned him! That is not stupidity; that is supernatural conviction. When you have been forgiven much, you love much. Paul knew the message of freedom was worth dying for.

His friends lead him to Derbe, where they preach and make many disciples.

Acts 14:21-23 (NASB)

After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and [saying], ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’ When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Instead of taking the easy coastal route back home, Paul retraces his steps back through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch—the very places where people had tried to kill him. He strengthens the disciples, appoints elders, and reminds them, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

One of the biggest issues in modern Christianity is that we have soft hands. At the first whisper of opposition or awkwardness, we go silent. When you put your faith in Jesus Christ, scripture guarantees you two things: peace with God, and suffering and persecution in this world. It does not promise a luxury car or an easy retirement. It promises peace with God in the midst of trial.

Eventually, they return to Syrian Antioch to report what God had done.

Acts 14:27 (NASB)

When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they [began] to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

The Letter to the Galatians: No Compromise on Grace

While back in Antioch, Paul learns that false teachers have infiltrated the churches he just planted in Galatia. He immediately pens the letter to the Galatians.

Galatians is one of the earliest epistles Paul wrote. Its central theme is justification by faith—the reality that a sinner is declared righteous before a holy God purely by faith, not by earning or deserving it.

Normally, Paul begins his letters with warm praise: “Grace and peace to you… I thank God every time I remember you… keep up the good work.” Even when writing to the Corinthians, who were dealing with shocking moral issues, Paul includes words of commendation.

Galatians contains zero commendations. There is no “attaboy” or “keep up the good work.” Paul goes straight into fierce rebuke.

Why the difference? The Corinthian church was struggling with behavioral issues that required patient discipleship. But the Galatian church was facing a doctrinal crisis. If your doctrine of salvation is corrupted, you have no foundation to walk with Jesus. If you do not understand justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, your spiritual life cannot stand.

Galatians breaks down into three clear sections:

• Chapters 1–2: Paul’s personal authority and apostolic calling.
• Chapters 3–4: The theological defense of justification by faith.
• Chapters 5–6: The practical application of Christian freedom.

Paul opens the letter by defending his calling and issuing a solemn warning.

Galatians 1:1-10 (NASB)

Paul, an apostle (not [sent] from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom [be] the glory forevermore. Amen. I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is [really] not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

Paul states that if anyone—even an angel from heaven—preaches any other gospel, let them be accursed.

What was this “other gospel”? It was simply Christ plus anything.

False teachers were telling the Galatians, “Jesus is great, but you also need circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic law.” In modern terms, people say, “Jesus is great, but you also need baptism, catechism, church membership, or personal moral cleanup to be saved.”

Adding anything to the gospel implies that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was insufficient and that He needs your help. When Jesus hung on the cross, He did not say, “You’re almost there, just try harder.” He cried out, “It is finished!”

The Great Exchange: Imputation

At the moment of salvation, a glorious theological reality occurs called imputation.

If you have kids in college, you know how expensive life can get. Every college student has had that moment where they check their bank account, realize there is too much month left at the end of the money, and call home: “Hey, Mom… I need some help.” The parents deposit funds into that account—money the student did not work for or earn. The bank credits that account with a gift.

Here is the exchange that happens at the cross: you and I bring nothing to the table except our bankruptcy and sin. But when you place your faith in Jesus Christ, your sin is credited to His account, and His perfect righteousness is credited to your account.

When God looks at you, He does not see an 80th-percentile effort. He sees the absolute perfection of Jesus Christ. Jesus took your penalty, died your death, and gave you His standing before the Father. It is a completely free gift.

Galatians 2:16 (NASB)

nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.

Some people get confused here because James says faith without works is dead. Is there a contradiction between Paul and James? Not at all.

Paul is addressing the root of salvation: how a person is justified before God (by faith alone). James is addressing the fruit of salvation: how a person’s faith is demonstrated before men (by authentic works). Paul teaches that we are saved by faith alone; James teaches that saving faith never remains alone.

In Galatians 3, Paul tackles the foolish idea that we start with grace but grow through self-effort.

Galatians 3:3 (NASB)

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

If you were saved entirely by the Spirit of God through grace, why would you think spiritual maturity depends on your own human willpower? White-knuckling your way through religion will always fail. The God who saved you is the God who will faithfully complete the work in you.

Set Free to Live Free

In chapter 5, Paul arrives at the heart of Christian liberty.

Galatians 5:1 (NASB)

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Christ has set us free from the crushing yoke of legalism. But biblical freedom is not a license to indulge the flesh.

Some people hear the message of grace and think, “If God forgives every sin, then I can live however I want!” That is not freedom; that is returning to slavery under a different name. Sin always carries consequences, shame, and death. Christ did not rescue you from a prison cell so you could lock yourself right back inside it.

How do we live in true freedom?

Galatians 5:16 (NASB)

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

We walk by the Spirit—living moment by moment under His controlling influence.

Paul contrasts what life in the flesh looks like against life in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:19-23 (NASB)

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

If your life is marked by sexual immorality, impurity, strife, and jealousy, you are living like a slave. But when the Holy Spirit leads you, your life displays love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. That is what true freedom looks like.

Because we are free, Paul shows us how to live in Christian community:

Galatians 6:1-10 (NASB)

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; [each one] looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have [reason for] boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load. The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches [him]. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

We use our freedom to restore those trapped in sin, carry each other’s burdens, and do good to all people. Finally, we boast in the only thing that matters:

Galatians 6:14 (NASB)

But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

The Call to Freedom

Let me ask you plainly: Do you know Him? Are you truly free?

Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ, handing Him your sin and receiving His righteousness?

If you have not, you are still living as a slave to sin. You cannot break that bondage through self-determination, better performance, or religious effort. The only way to break the power of sin is to bow before a new King.

When Jesus Christ is your Lord, the old life loses its grip. You are set free from the penalty of sin and set free from the power of sin.

We have been set free to live free. That is the gospel.

Let us pray.

Father in heaven, we pray that we would walk in the reality of this true freedom. Because of the finished work of Jesus Christ, may we never return to the yoke of slavery. Let legalism die in us. Let license die in us. May we live crucified with Christ, letting His life shine through ours. We thank You for the sufficiency of the cross and the power of the gospel. In Jesus’ name, Amen.