https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com

Through the Bible with Les Feldick
LESSON 3 * PART 3 * BOOK 32
GALATIANS 1:15 - 2:9
Now we're in Galatians Chapter 2, and here we find this Church that Paul had started in Galatia was having a problem. Remember this little letter was written primarily to straighten out the false teaching by Judaisers of attaching Law-keeping and circumcision to Paul's Gospel of Grace. So consequently it's at Antioch that this matter really boiled over to the place that the Lord instructed Paul to go up to Jerusalem and meet with the apostles and elders of the Jewish congregation. I refuse to call those Jewish believers Christians simply because the Bible doesn't. Never forget that when you handle the Word of God that it's an awesome responsibility, and I never forget that. I do feel that Paul and Barnabas as they now come from Antioch and they're going to try to prove to the leadership at Jerusalem that you cannot add anything to the relationship between Christ and the believer except faith and faith alone in Paul's Gospel.
Galatians 2:2a
Line upon line, because these revelations that came through the apostle Paul are so far above and beyond Judaism that it took some time for these people to understand where Paul was coming from. Those of you who remember my teachings back in Romans 1:16 where Paul says:
Romans 1:16a
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it (the Gospel) is the power of God unto salvation..."
And what does salvation imply according to Paul's teachings? You don't find that taught in the Old Testament. So Paul communicated carefully, line upon line, precept upon precept that Gospel.
Galatians 2:2a
"And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles.
Now why does the Holy Spirit prompt the man to use the word "that gospel?" Well to signify the difference between Paul's Gospel, and what Peter and Jesus and the eleven had been teaching to Israel. Now reading on in verse 2.
Galatians 2:2a
Now verse 3.
Galatians 2:3
At least Paul and Barnabas held them at bay on that point. Now verse 4.
Galatians 2:4a
"And that because of false brethren unawares brought in,..."
Somebody was influential in bringing these people into this great counsel meeting of the Jewish believers at Jerusalem to confront Paul and Barnabas and Titus, but primarily Paul and Barnabas.
Galatians 2:4a
"And that because of false brethren unawares..."
It's in the little Book of Jude. So when false teaching slips into a congregation or a denomination, it's nothing new. Jude 1:3,4
who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."
Galatians 2:4
Now what do you suppose Paul is talking about when he says "Liberty?" Well, that he was no longer under the demands of the Mosaic Law. Well, when these false brethren would go to these baths and there was an uncircumcised Gentile such as Titus, do you think they're blind? Galatians 2:4b
Go ahead and keep the dietary laws, keep the Law of Moses for after all I was wrong." But you see that's not Paul! Now let's read on in verse 5. Now the real Paul stands up:
Galatians 2:5
Pressure. Paul was under pressure from these Jerusalem leaders to get rid of this idea that your converts don't have to keep the Law of Moses.) no, not for an hour; (Paul didn't weaken one bit, why?) that the truth of the gospel might continue with you."
Galatians 5:1
That yoke of bondage was what the Law was. Judaism was the religion of Christ's day, and pretty much the extent of Orthodox Judaism today. I'm not saying this with any criticism of the present day Jewish religion, but truth is truth. So it had degenerated down to a religion, and that's why Paul called it that in Chapter 1:13 at the time of Christ. Now Paul is saying that we've been set free from all of that. Paul, writing to Gentiles up there in Asia Minor writes:
Colossians 2:14
The Cross was the end of the Law, and we must never forget that. The Lord Himself nailed those things to the Cross. Romans 13:8,9
(the work of the Cross was love epitomized. It was God's love for mankind that nailed Him to the Cross. And as a result He fulfilled the demands of the Law) 9. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shall not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness. Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
As soon as we come under this law of love we no longer want to break these commandments. Let verse 5 just sink into your thinking. Paul is under pressure to give up this Gospel of Grace, and add Law-keeping and circumcision, but he says:
Galatians 2:5
What if Paul would have given up?

#lesfeldick
#biblestudy
#bible