1. powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http://clarovicente.weebly.com Adult Bible Study Guide Oct Nov Dec 2011 Adult Bible Study Guide Oct Nov Dec 2011

2. Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide An Appeal Dear User…. This PowerPoint Show is freely shared to all who may find it beneficial. While intended primarily for personal use, some find it useful for teaching the lesson in church. There are those, however, who add illustrations, change background, adjust font size, etc. While their intention may be good, this is not right. Slide #1 says “designed by claro ruiz vicente.” For honest Christians, it is not necessary for another’s creation to be copyrighted in order to be respected. P LEASE U SE A S I S.

3. Carl P. Cosaert Principal Contributor

4. The Gospel in Galatians Contents 1 Paul: Apostle to the GentilesBackground 2 Paul’s Authority and Gospel1; 5:12 3 The Unity of the Gospel2:1-14 4 Justification by Faith Alone2:15-21 5 Old Testament Faith3:1-14 6 The Priority of the Promise3:15-20 7 The Road to Faith3:21-25 8 From Slaves to Heirs3:26-4:20 9 Paul’s Pastoral Appeal4:12-20 10 The Two Covenants4:21-31 11 Freedom in Christ5:1-15 12 Living by the Spirit5:16-25 13 The Gospel and the Church6:1-10 14 Boasting in the Cross6:11-18

5. The Gospel in Galatians Our Goal {167} T o reflect on our own understanding of the gospel. Allow God’s Spirit to spark a spiritual revival in our hearts as we rediscover what God has done for us in Christ.

6. The Gospel in Galatians Lesson 4, October 22 The Gospel in Galatians Lesson 4, October 22 Justification by Faith Alone

7. Key Text Galatians 2:20 ESV I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

8. Justification by Faith Alone Initial Words {205} G od cannot pronounce anyone righteous on the basis of that person’s behavior, for even the best humans are not perfect. It is only by accepting what God has done for us in Christ that sinners can be justified in His sight

9. Justification by Faith Alone Quick Look 1. The Question of “Justification” (Galatians 2:15, 16) 2. The Basis of Our Justification (Philippians 3:9) 3. Obedience and Justification (Galatians 2:20)

10. Justification by Faith Alone 1. The Question of “Justification” Galatians 2:15, 16 NIV W e who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Christ. … Because by observing the the law no one will be justified.”

11. 1. The Question of “Justification” Jews Versus Gentiles {206} T he traditional distinction between Jews and Gentiles: Jews were the elect of God, entrusted with His law, and they enjoyed the benefits of the covenant relationship with Him. Gentiles, however, were sinners; God’s law did not restrain their behavior, and they were outside the covenants of promise.

12. 1. The Question of “Justification” Justification Defined {206} it is the opposite of condemnation Justification is a legal term, used in courts of law. The words just and righteous come from the same Greek word. For a person “to be justified” means that the person also is counted as “righteous.” Thus, justification is the positive declaration that a person is righteous.

13. 1. The Question of “Justification” Works of the Law {208} However, the primary way Paul uses it is to refer to the entire collection of God’s commandments as given to His people through Moses. The word law (nomos in Greek) can refer to (1) God’s will for His people (2) the first five books of Moses, (3) the entire Old Testament, or (4) a general principle.

14. No matter how hard we try to follow and obey God’s law, our obedience never will be good enough for God to justify us, to have us declared righteous before God. That’s because His law requires absolute faithfulness in thought and action—all of the time, and for all of them. 1. The Question of “Justification” Works of the Law {208}

15. Justification by Faith Alone 2. The Basis of Justification Philippians 3:9 NKJV A nd be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.”

16. 2. The Basis of Justification Faith in Christ {210} the faithfulness of Jesus. Faith is inseparably connected to Jesus. “Faith in Christ” in Galatians 2:16 is translated literally as “the faith” or “the faithfulness” of Jesus. This literal translation reveals work of Christ accomplished in our behalf, the works that He, through His faithfulness (hence, the “faithfulness of Jesus”), has done for us.

17. 2. The Basis of Justification Faith in Christ {210} Faith itself doesn’t add to justification, as if faith were meritorious in and of itself. Faith is, instead, the means by which we take hold of Christ and His works in our behalf. We are not justified on the basis of our faith but on the basis of Christ’s faithfulness for us, which we claim for ourselves through faith.

18. Justification by Faith Alone 3. Obedience and Justification Galatians 2:20 Amplified I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion], it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

19. 3. Obedience and Justification The Obedience of Faith {212} G enuine biblical faith is always a response to God. Faith always follows initiatives that God has taken. Faith is ultimately rooted in our realization of what Christ did for us on the cross.

20. In Romans 1:5, Paul writes about the “obedience of faith.” Paul is not saying that obedience is the same as faith. He means true faith affects the whole of a person’s life. It involves commitment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 3. Obedience and Justification The Obedience of Faith {212}

21. 3. Obedience and Justification Does Faith Promote Sin? {214} the resurrected Christ lives within us, daily making us more and more like Himself. To accept Christ by faith involves a complete union with Christ—a union in both His death and resurrection. Spiritually speaking, we are crucified with Christ, and our old sinful ways rooted in selfishness are finished. Faith in Christ, therefore, is not a pretext for sin but a call to a much deeper, richer relationship with Christ.

22. Justification by Faith Alone Final Words {216} T here is not a point that needs to be dwelt upon more earnestly, repeated more frequently, or established more firmly in the minds of all than the impossibility of fallen man meriting anything by his own best good works. Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone.” —Faith and Works 18, 19.