Commentary on "Paul's Pastoral Appeal"

ROSS COOPER

 

Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, November 19, 2011 - Introduction

 

Before we move on in our study of Galatians it's very important that we go over what we've already learned from God the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul.

Galatians One

1. Some of the Galatian churches were concerned for others who had been deceived by Judaizers who were rising from within the congregation (in some cases) and teaching a different gospel.
2. There is NO other Gospel.
3. If anyone teaches you a different gospel then may they be accursed.
4. He was very concerned that those in the churches of Galatia that had been saved by Grace were returning to the Law because of the Judaizers.

Galatians Two

1. The Christians were under attack by the Judaizers who were trying to get them out of their freedom and back under the slavery of the law.
2. None are justified by the works of the law, but by the faithfulness of Christ Jesus, even Paul as a Jew came to literally Believe Into Jesus Christ.
3. We are justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law because the works of the law justify no one.
4. Through the law one dies to the law.
5. Since I have been crucified in Christ, I no longer live but Christ lives in me.
6. I don't set aside grace for if righteousness could come through the law then Christ died for nothing!

Galatians Three

1. Did you receive the (Holy) Spirit through the works of the law or by hearing with faith?
2. How foolish are you you began in the Spirit, you cannot complete things by human effort!
3. All who rely on the works of the law are under a curse.
4. No one is justified before God by the Law, the righteous shall live by faith.
5. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.
6. The law came 430 years after the promise to Abraham that Christ was the fulfillment of.
7. The law was given because of transgressions until the Seed (Christ) would come.
8. Before faith came we were imprisoned under the law. But now that faith (in Christ) has come we are no longer under a guardian (the law).
9. In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith, you were baptized into Christ and thusly been clothed with Christ.
10. IF you belong to Christ you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to the promise.

Galatians Four (So Far)

1. Christ came at the exact right time born of a woman born under the law to redeem us from the law.
2. If we are in Christ we are adopted into the family of God with the full rights of a son.
3. God sent the (Holy) Spirit as a gift into our hearts.
4. No longer a slave, but a son, and since we are a son we are also an heir.
5. Since we are known by God why would we turn and go back to the basic forces (law)?
6. Why again are you observing religious days, months, seasons and years (they are under basic forces/law).

Paul is desperate to be understood, he is begging the Galatians not to be conned by the Judaizers. He has been putting together very intelligent and well though out arguments to explain his position, and that position is don't mix law and grace. You were saved by grace do not return to the law to finish anything or you make void the sacrifice of Christ.

One last thing for today it is very important to remember that not all the people of the Galatian churches were fooled by the Judaizers. The message of the book of Galatians is for all readers Judaizers and believers. It exposes the falsehood and trickery of the Judaizers and it builds up the body through sound teachings and warnings.

 

GO TO DAY 2

 

Copyright 2011 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised November 19, 2011. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.

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