PAUL TO THE GALATIANS

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PAUL TO THE GALATIANS

• WHY I AM SO MAD!

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THE PROBLEM PEOPLE

• AGITATORS (512)
• FALSE BROTHERS (24)
• PERVERTED GOSPEL (16-7)
• BEWITCHED YOU (31)
• TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL AT STAKE (25)

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WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM?

• COMPELLING CIRCUMCISION (612)
• TIED TO PRIDE FOR HERITAGE (613)

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BUT

• PAUL PROUD OF JEWISH HERITAGE
• PAUL WAS CIRCUMCISED
• PAUL HAD TIMOTHY CIRCUMCISED
• PAUL ALWAYS GAVE MESSAGE TO JEWS FIRST
• SO WHY IS TRUTH OF GOSPEL AT STAKE?

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HOW JEWS VIEWED IT

• Getting in vs. Staying in
• Jews got in the people of God by GRACE and
  ELECTION
• Jews stayed in covenant with God by doing the
  works of the law, etc.
• Jews did NOT think works of law required to
  earn favor, but they WERE required for special
  status, inheritance, etc.

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PAULS ANSWER

• This suggests that Jews (and law-keepers) are 1st
  tier Christians, while others may be in the body,
  but are not Israel and heir to the promises of
  Abraham
• Promises to Israel not same as promises to world
• But Paul believes that anyone accepted by God
  is given all the blessings as well!

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WHY IT MATTERS

• If Gentiles do not measure up, then Christ
  means nothing!
• What is the difference with the OT?
• If the body of Christ has 1st tier and 2nd tier,
  then Christ means nothing!
• What is the difference with societies clubs?
• If works of the law required stay in covenant,
  then message of faith is void!

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BOILING IT DOWN

• ALL who are in with God are in because of
  what Christ did
• ALL of those then have EQUAL STATUS before God
• EQUAL STATUS is based on faith in what Jesus did,
  not because of our ability to earn righteousness
• ANYTHING DIFFERENT IS ANTI-GOSPEL!

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PAULS REPLY

• ONE GOSPEL (16-9)
• DISTINCTION IN BODY IS WRONG (21-11)
• SALVATION AND JUSTIFICATION BY GRACE/FAITH
• THUS ALL IN THE BODY ARE EQUAL IN STATUS
  (526-28)
• DEMANDING OTHERWISE RUINS THE CROSS!

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BUT WHAT ABOUT OBEDIENCE?

• Paul NEVER separated Belief and Action
• I love you must be an action
• Faith expresses itself through love
• Paul ASSUMES that faith has led to Baptism and
  Reception of the Spirit
• Paul warns Christians to live holy lives, or else
  they will not inherit the kingdom of God

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(No Transcript)
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HOW DOES THAT FIT?

• Faith vs. works of the law does NOT mean
  thinking vs. doing
• Faith includes obedience to Gods will, but
  with recognition that obedience is a response to
  Gods gracious action in Christ
• Publishers clearinghouse example
• Covenant always included conditionsnot to
  earn but to accept
• God does not force his grace on the unwilling!

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SUMMING UP

• Christ did something decisive
• He has brought all people (Jews, Gentiles) into
  acceptance with God
• Thus, all in Christ have EQUAL STATUS
• The same grace that brought us in, also keeps us
  in
• However, our faith response includes lives that
  show a desire to live in Christ
• Christ Works of human merit is WRONG
• Christ accepted was universally understood!

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I BEAR ON MY BODYTHE MARKS OF THE LORD