August
29th Galatians
1
In Christ we are free from the law
A. Introduction Greetings &
blessings
1:
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ,
and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2: And all the
brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3: Grace be
to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4: Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this
present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5:
To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Another
Gospel?
6:
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into
the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7: Which is not another; but
there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of
Christ. 8: But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other
gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be
accursed. 9: As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach
any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed. 10: For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to
please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of
Christ.
Paul
begins his letter to the churches of Galatia with an introduction of
himself. First of all we notice that in this letter he is keen to
establish his apostolic authority. Secondly he points out right at
the beginning that he has not been appointed by men or by any man
except by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the
dead. Paul is going to address the heresy of the Judaisers and so
therefore his emphasis is on the resurrection (which the Jews
consistently denied). Then we see that this letter is addressed not
to one church but to the Churches of Galatia. This area of Turkey had
been populated by people that had come from France. They were
sensual, legalistic and prone to complete changes of mind. Pauls
greeting is extended to say something about Christ’s ministry of
deliverance from this present evil world. Then Paul begins
straightaway by saying I am amazed that you have moved away from
Christ who called you into the Grace of God into another ‘gospel’.
Which actually is not good news at all, but there are some people who
have confused you and who wish to pervert the Gospel of Christ. This
letter addresses the question of legalistic obedience to the Mosaic
Law. Paul calls this a perversion of the Gospel of the grace of God.
Even if we, or even if an angel from heaven came to you and preached
a different Gospel from what we preached unto you, We say in the name
of the Lord – Let him be accursed. I want to say that again says
Paul, to make sure you remember it, If any man preach any other
Gospel than we preached to you then let him be accursed. Does it
sound like l am trying to please Men or God? Am l seeking to please
the brethren? Let me say says Paul if l were trying to please men
then l would not be the servant of Christ. He is my master – and l
seek to please him.
- Where did Paul get his Ministry from?
- What had happened at Galatia?
- What does Paul say about those who preach another gospel?
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