Problems

Christ was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead in 33 AD.

Jesus visited Paul on the road to Damascus between 33 and 40 AD.

By 47 AD Paul, Barnabas and John Mark begin establishing the Churches in Galatia.

(Modern Turkey)

It is in the midst of establishing those churches that John Mark leaves them and goes home.

By 49 AD Judaizers had heard about the Gentiles being saved. Some of them visited the churches in Galatia and tried to convince them that Paul’s was not sufficient for salvation. They told them that they must also be circumcised and follow the dietary restrictions to be saved.

There were other accusations and other claims that they made. They directly attacked Paul by saying he was a people pleaser, telling people what they wanted to hear. They also said that he was never sent by the true Church in Jerusalem among other things.

Some of those the new converts depart from the gospel, seeking to be justified by the law.

Paul wrote a letter to the churches in Galatia. What we know as Galatians, addressing these issues.

Galatians 1:1–10 NASB95

1 Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of 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: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. 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. 8 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! 10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

Why did the Judaizers push this issue?

We tend to demonize people we don’t agree with.

When a liberal politicians make decisions we don’t agree with, we picture Ivy league college types looking down their nose thinking we are too stupid to know what’s best for us.

When concentrative politician we picture fat white guys in suits smoking oversized cigars laughing at us poor folks.

But the truth isn’t that black an white.

The Judaizers were jews. They were taught from birth to follow God’s law, that a Messiah was coming; and when Jesus came, they believed him and joined him.

They may have even been indwelt with the Holy Spirit.

In other words, they may have simply been wrong.

They logic might go like this……

I am a Jew and one of God’s chosen people.

To be a Jew, you have to follow God’s law.

The Messiah from the Jews to save the wold,

So. You have to become a Jew to be saved by the Messiah.

Therefore, to be saved you must follow the law and believe in Christ.

All superstitions start with I did this this way and good things happened ( or bad) so do or don’t do that again.

What I’m saying is that sincerity isn’t the judgment for what it true.

You can be sincere, and be sincerely wrong.

Paul’s defence of the Gospel is very strong.

1. There is only one gospel.

Don’t believe anyone else

Don’t believe us if we change it. (Fight Club)

Don’t believe even if Angel’s come tell you.

Ephesians 2:8–9 NASB95

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

How are you saved?

When Paul and Silas were in prison and God caused and earthquake and opened the doors……

Acts 16:31 NASB95

31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Believe what?

real person

sent by God.

His death was the punishment for your sins.

He rose from the dead

If you believe you will too.

What about the rest?

I believe that if you believe those things, it is because God has revealed that to you and will reveal the rest when you are ready.

Modern Legalism

You must do xxx to be a Christian.

Quit drinking

Stop Smoking

Go to Church

Dress this or that way.

Be baptized.

XYZ.

Comes from a place of wanting to protect you from the dangers of liberalism. ( You don’t have to change at all to be saved, and God loves you just the way you are)

Problem with Legalism.

Jesus warned us not to make equal the laws of man and the laws of God.

2. Emphasized following rules rather than following your new heart.