Christian Church Epistles Part 2 BA 301 Christian Church Christian Church Epistles Part 2 Carolina University of Theology © John Stevenson, 2009

Epistle What is an Epistle?

What does it mean to you that the Bible contains personal letters to various churches?

Foundational Epistles Pauline Epistles Foundational Epistles Romans 1st & 2nd Corinthians Galatians Prison Epistles Ephesians Philippians Colossians Prophetic Epistles 1st & 2nd Thessalonians Pastoral Epistles 1st & 2nd Timothy Titus Philemon

The Primary Theological Themes presented in Paul’s Epistles

Galatians: THE GOSPEL AND THE LAW “ Galatians: THE GOSPEL AND THE LAW “...knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” (Galatians 2:16) Ephesians: THE GOSPEL AND THE CHURCH “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22,23) Philippians: THE GOSPEL IN THE CHURCH “...that you may approve the things that are ex­cellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:10,11)   Colossians: THE GOSPEL AND CHRIST “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)

Galatians Chapters 1-2 Chapters 3-4 Chapters 5-6 History Doctrine Practice Vindication Exposition Application Paul’s apostleship & vindication come from the Lord Man is justified through faith alone We are to walk by faith and love

Galatians Romans Calm reflection Passionate, emotional Christianity in the study Christianity on the battlefield Later Epistle Earlier Epistle Justification by faith set forth systematically Justification by faith defended from attacks Our Constitution Our Declaration of Independence

Galatians 1:1-3 Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and G-d the Father, who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from G-d our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…

Who gave Himself for our sins Past Tense Present Tense Future Tense Who gave Himself for our sins So that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our G-d and Father To whom be the glory forevermore

Galatians 1:6-9 6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 1:8-9 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

Paul and Jerusalem  Antioch Paul’s Gospel did not come from Jerusalem (Chapter 1) Paul’s Gospel did not change in Jerusalem (2:1-10) Paul’s gospel was not changed by Jerusalem when they came to Antioch (2:11-16)  Jerusalem

Who has Bewitched You? Does G-d give the Spirit and Miracles by the Law or by Faith? Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Did you suffer so many things in vain? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

Salvation is through faith Appeal to of Abraham Appeal to friendship Scripture Appeal to the Law Appeal to Adoption Appeal to the Tutor Appeal to the Covenant Promise

If you are free… Don’t be entangled in a yoke of bondage Don’t turn your Freedom into an Opportunity for The flesh Do good to all men Walk by the Spirit Share all good things Bear one another’s Burdens

Galatians 6:14-16 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of G-d.

Examine Galatians 5:2-12 Group Activity If you were to teach or preach from this passage to a group of adults, how would you apply it to them, based on the meaning of the text? Present both your application as well as how you arrived at that application.

Discuss the following questions: Group Activity Discuss the following questions: What has been your own experience in coming to understand the gospel? What are the various errors into which people fall in their understanding of the gospel?