In Paul’s epistle to the Galatians, his introduction of himself (Gal 1:1-5) as an apostle of the Lord Jesus was very brief as compared to his introduction in his epistle to the Corinthians (1 Cor 1:1-9). Although there is only one issue amongst the Galatian churches compared to the many issues facing the Corinthian church, that one issue was far worse than all the issues in the Corinthian church, that of another gospel. In Galatia, false teachers were trying to diminish Paul’s position by attacking his apostleship. Paul had to defend his apostleship, not for himself but for God, as the gospel of the Lord Jesus (which he had preached to the people) was being undermined. Paul had to address this issue with great urgency, thus he sent this epistle to the Galatian churches without waiting to go there himself.

After Paul’s brief introduction in verses 1 to 5, he then dealt with the issue of the Galatian churches. In this introduction, Paul laid down three points that identified him as a true Apostle of the Lord.

1. His call was from Christ (Gal 1:1-2)

Paul was called to be an Apostle by the resurrected Lord Jesus Himself, and not by the church or men. Thus, his position was equal to that of the Apostle Peter who was also called by Jesus (when Jesus was still on earth and Peter had witnessed Jesus’ death and resurrection). As such, they were accountable to Christ.

An apostle is someone sent with a purpose. We as believers of the Lord Jesus are also sent on a mission: to share the gospel and to use our spiritual gifts to glorify God wherever He puts us. Therefore, we are also accountable to our Lord Jesus.

2. His message was from God (Gal 1:3-4)

The Apostle Paul was to preach the message given by “God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal 1:3), i.e. God had sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to this world to die on the cross for our sins so that man can be saved.

We too, as apostles (small “a”) of the Lord Jesus, are to deliver this Christ-centered message to this world, and must never make up our own message, so that the world will know the true gospel that is based on the Word of God.

3. His purpose was for God (Gal 1:5)

The Apostle Paul’s purpose was to give all glory to God only, in every area of his life. Thus, we too must do the same. We must never put Christ’s name to shame. All our decisions and actions must be glorifying to God.