We will be embarking on a study of the book of Galations.
We will see how Paul explained and dealt the Jewish customs issue and how the Law relates to the present day church. A vital study for every person desiring to walk in the reality of the finished work in Christ Jesus.
The Book of Galatians
True Christianity 1.
The letter to the Galatian Churches, written by the Apostle Paul, written around 50 AD
From the letter, we conclude that after Paul had evangelized the region and various congregations had grown, Jewish Christians had found these congregations and had convinced them that they needed to add the Law of Moses to their faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul does not agree and in his epistle, sets out an argument that clearly reveals God’s will for the Church throughout the ages.
Gal 1:1-2 NKJV
1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:
Paul’s calling was directly from the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father … he was not commissioned or sent by any council or people … which may have been the case of the Jewish ministers.
The word Apostle means; “sent”.
Paul was not “sent” by any human institution, he was commissioned, anointed and “sent” by Heaven itself. Therefore, Paul was accountable to God and his message was directly from the lips of Jesus Christ.
Paul mentioning the fact that God raised Jesus from the dead settles forever the debate as to Jesus’ place in the Godhead. Paul says that he was not sent by man or mankind … but by Jesus the Anointed one, certifying that Jesus is not a mere man. Strengthening the case, Paul, confirming that Jesus would do nothing without His Father’s expressed will (Joh 8:28), “sent” him.
Therefore, God the Father, the One Who had raised Jesus from the dead thereby affirming His Deity and Sonship, was a party to his commission to take the Gospel of Christ to the Jews and the Gentiles.
Gal 1:3-5 NKJV
3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Gal 1:3-5 AMP
3 Grace and spiritual blessing be to you and [soul] peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah),
4 Who gave (yielded) Himself up [to atone] for our sins [and to save and sanctify us], in order to rescue and deliver us from this present wicked age and world order, in accordance with the will and purpose and plan of our God and Father–
5 To Him [be ascribed all] the glory through all the ages of the ages and the eternities of the eternities! Amen (so be it).
Paul is not only speaking God’s favour, blessing and Shalom (peace) over the Churches of Galatia, but he is setting a foundation for his message to them.
Everything that God has provided for mankind is found in the One Who yielded Himself up so that He could atone for our sins, save us, sanctify us (set us apart as holy), and rescue us from this wicked world order we live in.
The only way to be saved, delivered and placed into this state of grace and peace is through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice.
All praise, honour and glory will and must be given to Him for our complete salvation – Amen!
True Christianity 2
Gal 1:6 NKJV
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
Please read this verse very carefully and allow the implication of its weight to sink in.
Paul is astounded, surprised, amazed that they are turning away … deserting … turning back … readily leaving Him … from Him Who called (God the Father Joh 6:44 & 65), you in the grace (the unmerited favour) of Christ, to a different message (gospel).
Don’t gloss over the words … let them sink in.
You have turned away from God, Who called you in the grace of Christ … when you accepted and followed their message, which is contrary to the one I gave you.
The Jewish “missionaries”, obviously believed in what they were doing. They probably had received Jesus as Lord and Saviour … were “Jewish Christians”, who held onto their “Jewish roots” … and believed something that was so erroneous that the Apostle Paul says that, in receiving and obeying their erroneous teaching, they have departed from God and the grace of Christ.
So we come to the title of this teaching; True Christianity.
If it was so important for the Holy Spirit to bring clarity and correction to the early Church, it certainly is the same for today.