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When Man Corrupts Gospel

Galatians 1:11-24
Mike Maglish

Part of Galatians

September 14, 2025

 Galatians 1:11-12 
Acts 9:3–6 

Galatians 1:11–12 

Received (παρέλαβον, parelabon) — v. 12 
• A rabbinic word for receiving tradition from a teacher. 
• Paul says, “I didn’t receive the gospel like a tradition handed down.” 

The GOSPEL comes directly from JESUS

What is Man’s Gospel? 
1) Not divine, but man-made 
2) Based on works, not grace 
3) Coordinated with others 
4) Different than the Gospel of Jesus

“If the message of the cross is from man, it is just one more religion; if it is from God, it is the only way of salvation.” - John Stott, The Message of Galatians: Only One Way 

“The greatest enemy to the gospel is not persecution from without but distortion from within.” 
- John MacArthur, The Truth War 
The Gospel is PURE when man preaches WITHOUT personal bias 

OUR GOGGLES = OUR WORLDVIEW 

How may we preserve the Gospel? 
1) Acknowledge our goggles 
2) Take off our goggles as we study God’s Word 
3) Humbly approach the text 
4) Go where our study leads us 
5) Put our goggles back on 
6) Promote what we know to be true 
7) Stand against distortion 

Examples Of Man-Made Gospels Today 

The gospel of Self-Help 
• Message: “God just wants you to be the best version of yourself.” 
• Problem: Reduces Christianity to motivational therapy instead of redemption through Christ. 
 (Galatians 3:13) 

The gospel of Tolerance/Relativism 
• Message: “All paths lead to God; Jesus is just one way among many.” 
• Problem: Denies the exclusivity of Christ and empties the cross of its necessity. 

 (John 14:6)

The gospel of Moralism/Legalism 
• Message: “Be a good person, obey the rules, and God will accept you.” 
• Problem: Assumes salvation is earned by works, not received by grace. 

 (Mark 10:18) 

The gospel of Political Ideology 
• Message: “The kingdom of God comes through your party, your policies, your nation.” 
• Problem: The Kingdom of God comes only through the blood of Jesus. 

(Philippians 3:20) 

The gospel of Outward Image 
• Message: “As long as you look spiritual and keep up appearances, you’re fine.” 
• Problem: Elevates reputation and performance over inward transformation. 

 (Matthew 23:27-28) 

We must WATCH OUT for false Gospel 

 —Galatians 1:13-24 
Timetable (approximate) 
Scholars reconstruct a timeline using Galatians, Acts, and Paul’s letters: 
1. Conversion (c. AD 33–35) – On the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1–9). Paul emphasizes he did not “receive” the gospel from men (v. 12). 
2. Immediate aftermath – Preached briefly in Damascus (Acts 9:19–22). 
3. Arabia (unspecified period, maybe 1–3 years) – Paul says he went away to Arabia (v. 17). Likely a time of solitude, prayer, and revelation, not formal training. 
4. Return to Damascus – Continued ministry until opposition forced him to leave (Acts 9:23–25; 2 Cor. 11:32–33). 
5. First visit to Jerusalem (3 years after conversion) – Met Peter (Cephas) and James (v. 18–19). Stayed only 15 days, not long enough to be “taught” by them. 
6. Departure to Syria and Cilicia (Paul’s home region, including Tarsus) – v. 21. This period may have lasted close to 10 years, until Barnabas brought him to Antioch (Acts 11:25–26). 
7. Recognition by Judean churches – They only knew him by reputation: “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy” (v. 23). 
TAKEAWAY: COMMIT to the Gospel of Jesus - GRACE