Galatians The Gospel and the Law Lesson 1 Introduction to Galatians Galatians 1:1-5 Pages 1-5 1
Notes to teachers: A map showing the approximate boarders of Galatia is shown on slide 3. A map showing the approximate boarders of Galatia is shown on slide 3. The map can be accessed at any time by typing the number 3 and press Enter. The map can be accessed at any time by typing the number 3 and press Enter. To return to your original slide, you must remember that slide number, type it in, and press Enter. To return to your original slide, you must remember that slide number, type it in, and press Enter. Practice a few times in presentation mode. Practice a few times in presentation mode. This slide will not appear during your presentation – it is hidden. This slide will not appear during your presentation – it is hidden. 2
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“TO THE CHURCHES OF GALATIA” Galatians 1:2 Paul does not name the churches – only the region in which they were located Paul does not name the churches – only the region in which they were located The churches probably represented the churches he established on his first missionary journey in Southern Galatia The churches probably represented the churches he established on his first missionary journey in Southern Galatia –If so, they would be Antioch [Pisidia], Lystra, Derbe, and Iconium (Acts 13, 14) –If not, we do not know the cities to which this letter was written 4
“TO THE CHURCHES OF GALATIA” Galatians 1:2 Paul calls them “Galatians” in 3:1 Paul calls them “Galatians” in 3:1 The Galatian churches has come into being as a result of Paul’s missionary labors The Galatian churches has come into being as a result of Paul’s missionary labors From 4:13, he preached to them the first time and, in 4:14, they had received him From 4:13, he preached to them the first time and, in 4:14, they had received him But, things have changed… But, things have changed… 5
DATE OF GALATIANS The date and location from which Paul wrote this letter is unknown The date and location from which Paul wrote this letter is unknown Some theories exists: Some theories exists: –A. D. 49, maybe from Antioch –A. D. 57, during his third missionary journey, maybe from Ephesus, Macedonia, or Corinth Paul wrote Galatians with his own hand (Gal. 6:11) Paul wrote Galatians with his own hand (Gal. 6:11) 6
PURPOSE OF GALATIANS These churches had departed from Paul’s original teachings These churches had departed from Paul’s original teachings He needed to restore them to their original faith and commitment to the gospel of Christ He needed to restore them to their original faith and commitment to the gospel of Christ 7
PURPOSE OF GALATIANS They had once been devoted to Paul (4:14,15) -- but now he had become their enemy (4:16) They had once accepted Paul’s apostleship (4:14) -- but now they regarded him as dependent on human sources for his teaching (1:11,12) 8
PURPOSE OF GALATIANS They had embraced his teaching of justification by faith (1:9; 3:26,27; 3:2,3) -- but now they depended too heavily on fleshly ordinances (1:6; 3:3) They had “made progress” in the gospel (5:7a) -- but now they were hindered from obeying the truth (5:7b; 5:4) They had committed to the gospel without the Law of Moses (3:1) -- but now they were trying to be justified by that Law (5:2,4) 9
MAJOR THEMES IN GALATIANS Paul’s defense of his apostleship – –He showed that his gospel was not dependent on the other apostles; they supported his preaching but had not instructed him in what to preach – –His gospel had a heavenly origin; he had received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ 10
MAJOR THEMES IN GALATIANS Paul’s defense of his gospel of justification by faith without works of the Law – –This was not a new gospel -- it had been preached to Abraham (3:18) – –The Law was intended to be temporary, a “tutor” (3:25) – –Their salvation was involved in the resolution of their doubts about the gospel (5:2) 11
THE BOOK OF GALATIANS Paul faced two formidable tasks as he opens this letter to the Galatian churches: (1) (1)He must rescue the faith of confused minds from the impending peril of spiritual destruction. (2) (2)He must restore the confidence of these struggling Christians in his apostleship and in the authority of his teaching as an apostle. 12
Paul’s Greeting Galatians 1:1 Sometimes Paul calls himself “a servant of Jesus Christ,” sometimes an “apostle of Jesus Christ,” and sometimes simply “Paul” Sometimes Paul calls himself “a servant of Jesus Christ,” sometimes an “apostle of Jesus Christ,” and sometimes simply “Paul” Here he calls himself “Paul, an apostle” Here he calls himself “Paul, an apostle” –He adds “not of men, neither by man” –But, by [the authority of] Jesus Christ and God –He repeats this point in 1:12 It was important that they recognized that his apostleship and authority did not come from the other apostles It was important that they recognized that his apostleship and authority did not come from the other apostles 13
Paul’s First Concern Galatians 1:1 Paul essentially spends the first two chapters setting forth the nature of his apostleship Paul essentially spends the first two chapters setting forth the nature of his apostleship His opponents [Judaizing teachers] were convincing people that Paul was not authorized to speak on behalf of Jesus since he was not one of the original apostles His opponents [Judaizing teachers] were convincing people that Paul was not authorized to speak on behalf of Jesus since he was not one of the original apostles –He tells them that he is an independent apostle, on a par with the other apostles, and –He was not taught the gospel but gained his knowledge by inspiration from Christ himself 14
Paul’s First Concern Galatians 1:1 Who were the Judaizing teachers? Who were the Judaizing teachers? Those who conformed to the doctrines and rites of the Jews Those who conformed to the doctrines and rites of the Jews Especially, those who: Especially, those who: –Insisted on Gentiles being circumcised (2:12; 5:6; 6:15) –Insisted on keeping days, months, and, times and years (4:10) 15
Paul’s Greeting Galatians 1:2 “And all the brethren which are with me” “And all the brethren which are with me” –We do not know the names of the brethren who were with Paul as he wrote this letter 16
Paul’s Greeting Galatians 1:3-5 Paul added greetings from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ Paul added greetings from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ He reminds them that it was Jesus who: He reminds them that it was Jesus who: –Gave himself for our sins –Delivered us from this present evil world All this was “according to the will of God and our Father” All this was “according to the will of God and our Father” –“To whom be glory for ever and ever, and Amen” 17
And the Next Lesson… There is no other gospel There is no other gospel Paul’s ministry of the true gospel Paul’s ministry of the true gospel 18