GALATIANS QUICK STUDY Background Information 1 Author Paul

GALATIANS QUICK STUDY

Background Information 1. Author Paul , circa 55 AD to the Churches in Galatia. Main Emphasis. a. Establishing Paul’s credentials as an Apostle b. Establishing Grace as the basis for salvation, not keeping the law.

Chapter 1 & 2 • Paul establishes his credentials as an a Hebrew Pharisee who became an Apostle. • (An Apostle as understood in those days was one who was directly commissioned by Jesus himself). • His Apostleship is completely independent from the Disciples at Jerusalem , but he was welcomed as an Apostle by the other Disciples, (Apostles) • However he is forced to take a stand against Peter himself regarding double standards as far as observing the law was concerned.

Justification through Faith • Key Message of Galatians. • Starts from Ch. 2 vs. 16 onwards. • No-one can be justified by the works of the law (obeying the law ). Justification only comes by faith in Christ, it is Christ’s faithfulness (sinless status) that gains us our justification. • I have been crucified with Christ , Now he lives in me (Through his Spirit) , and “I” am no longer living. • THIS IS HOW THE GRACE OF GOD WORKS.

• Abraham was justified because he believed (3 : 6), the promise given to Abraham , points the way to Christ. • The law which came in 430 years after the promise, cannot supersede the events before. • The promise was to Abraham and his seed (Christ) and the Law has a function as a pedagogue. (Paidagōgos Gk). • The Law’s function is to confine, guard and guide, until the Child comes of age.

• Rather like a diet plan or a dietician. To bring about changed behavior, but without bringing changed attitude or changed heart. • In the same way once we have come to faith we are set free in Christ , we are not under law but we have come into our true identity as children of God. • CH 3 verse 27 , for all who are baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

• Once we know God , for us to turn back to weak and miserable principles is foolishness. • (CH 4 vs. 9). • We are called stand firm in freedom and not be burdened by the yoke of slavery (outward appearances) • Grace is ALL. • GRACE + LAW > Grace • GRACE + X = GRACE = 0 X.

• We are called to be free not to indulge ourselves but to serve humbly in Love. • Walk by the Spirit and we will not gratify the desires of the flesh. • If you are led by the Spirit we are not under the law. • We live by the Spirit , so we keep step with the spirit.

Takeaway • We are crucified with Christ , Baptized into his death and now Christ lives in us. (Only when we come to a true understanding of what this means can we really be free) • Do not allow rules, norms and practices to govern our lives. Be sensitive to the spirit in all things. • Our freedom is not to indulge ourselves but to love and serve others. • There is a constant tension between freedom and indulgence. A sure test is to see if there is fruit (of the Spirit (Ch. 5 vs. 22 and 23)