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CHRIST THE CENTRE OF THE BIBLE. Galatians.

Marilyn C

Entry posted by Marilyn C

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GALATIANS - Christ is our Justification.

During the Apostle Paul`s second missionary journey, he was delayed in Galatia by sickness. Though ill, this tireless servant of the Lord could not remain silent, but kept preaching God`s word. His theme was Christ crucified. (Gal. 3: 1)

It was at this time that many people became believers in Galatia. (Gal 1: 6) They were scattered over a rural district and the people were country folk. Teachers of the law followed after Paul moved on. They taught salvation by works, claiming that the believers should be circumcised, and do the works of the law.

These teachers explained that the reason Paul had not taught them this was because he was not a true apostle and had learned his doctrine from others. This had upset the new converts.

False teachers had begun to `bewitch` the people by telling them they must keep all kinds of ceremonies. Paul wanted them to know that nothing, no fetishes, or works, or ceremonies, could bring them to Christ. Salvation comes by believing in Christ - nothing else.

 

Being very fickle and loving something new and a change, the Galatian believers were on the verge of accepting the views of these false teachers. Paul saw the urgency and quickly wrote this letter to them.

`I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.` (Gal 1: 6)

 

He defended his apostleship saying that his teaching was authorized by God Himself. (Gal. 1: 11 - 24) He proves that he received his teaching directly from the Lord. He did not consult with any one as to what he should preach but retired to the wilds of Arabia for three years and there listened to God. He was taught by the Spirit.

 

Paul even had to rebuke Peter for being two-faced about Jewish customs when he was at Antioch. Their friendship still held after this severe test.

 

So what does justified mean? God credits to my account what Christ has done - just-as-if-I`d done it. A criminal is pardoned though he cannot be regarded as righteous. But justification is that act of God whereby He not only forgives us but puts Christ`s righteousness to our account. He gives us righteousness not our own but Christ`s.

`...knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not the works of the law, for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.` (Gal. 2: 16)

 

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existential mabel

hello Marilyn gee another afternoon of the grey's and im not talking Earl Grey lol

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These teachers explained that the reason Paul had not taught them this was because he was not a true apostle and had learned his doctrine from others. This had upset the new converts.

 

 

 

This is my issue with Paul which I am working on gradually. I always thought that Peter should be the one yes I know he was a fisherman and not versed in the intricacies of Jewish law etc. I mean Jesus didn’t choose someone of Paul's background to be a disciple. ah just  what is the difference between an apostle and a disciple?  this is a bit of a round robin to me. Is it one and the same word?

 

The thing for me is when folk say that their teaching is authorised by God …my eyes kinda glaze over I am waiting for the mental imbalance to show up lol.

 

This is another thing in this instance this is ‘ok’ as Paul went onto write about his hearing from God and he includes this in the bible. But nevertheless it was extra information.

 

Then there are folks writing books today and saying that they hear from God. so in a sense they are extending the bible then? As what happened with Paul

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Marilyn C

Hi mabel,

Really good and important questions there, sis, which other people would be thinking too.

OK, So to Peter and the other disciples, (followers of Jesus). There were to be 12  and here we read the qualifications of choosing another disciple. 

` Therefore of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.` (Acts 1: 21 & 22)

They were to be witnesses of Jesus` life and death and resurrection. They were called apostles (meaning sent ones, revealing Christ) as they did this ministry.

They were to be 12 in number for eventually they would rule over the 12 tribes of Israel from the New Jerusalem.

`Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.` (Matt. 19: 28)

`Now the wall of the city had 12 foundations, and on them were the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb.` (Rev. 21: 14)

I love how God`s word dove tails together. Each detail fits.

Marilyn.

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Marilyn C
7 hours ago, existential mabel said:

hello Marilyn gee another afternoon of the grey's and im not talking Earl Grey lol

This is my issue with Paul which I am working on gradually. I always thought that Peter should be the one yes I know he was a fisherman and not versed in the intricacies of Jewish law etc. I mean Jesus didn’t choose someone of Paul's background to be a disciple. ah just  what is the difference between an apostle and a disciple?  this is a bit of a round robin to me. Is it one and the same word?

 

The thing for me is when folk say that their teaching is authorised by God …my eyes kinda glaze over I am waiting for the mental imbalance to show up lol.

 

This is another thing in this instance this is ‘ok’ as Paul went onto write about his hearing from God and he includes this in the bible. But nevertheless it was extra information.

 

Then there are folks writing books today and saying that they hear from God. so in a sense they are extending the bible then? As what happened with Paul

Hi again mabel,

As we can see Peter was chosen to be a witness of Jesus` life, death and resurrection, and eventually ruling over the 12 tribes of Israel. That was his `job` and that was what he knew. We see in Acts 1 when the Lord was about to ascend that Peter asked -

`"Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom (rule) to Israel?" (Acts 1: 6)

He was looking for Israel`s rule over the other nations as promised. Then in Galatians we read how Peter would eat with the gentiles but withdrew himself when Jews came. Peter even tried to get the Gentiles to live like the Jews. Paul says -

`Why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?` (Gal. 2: 14)

Peter was thinking that the Gentiles coming to Christ would come in to Israel. In the past gentiles could come into Israel if they did certain rituals. However God was not meaning for Gentiles to do that after Christ ascended. Christ`s ascension meant that He could send the Holy Spirit and make a whole new group of called out people - the Body of Christ. Peter never really understood this as his purpose was to do with Israel only. 

In the picture above we see the Lord arresting Paul and then later taking him into the desert of Arabia and taught him there. Paul did not go up to Jerusalem then to the 12 disciples for they had a different purpose.

`..when it pleased God....to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after 3 years I went up to Jerusalem... `(Gal. 1: 15 - 18)

 

Now the difference between Peter and Paul`s apostleship is -

Peter`s apostleship is pre-cross and of the 12 who will rule over Israel. (Matt. 19: 28)

Paul`s apostleship is from the ascended Lord and is for the purpose of building up the Body of Christ. (Eph. 4: 11 - 13)

 

Quite a lot to take in there sis, Marilyn.

 

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Marilyn C
7 hours ago, existential mabel said:

 

The thing for me is when folk say that their teaching is authorised by God …my eyes kinda glaze over I am waiting for the mental imbalance to show up lol.

 

This is another thing in this instance this is ‘ok’ as Paul went onto write about his hearing from God and he includes this in the bible. But nevertheless it was extra information.

 

Then there are folks writing books today and saying that they hear from God. so in a sense they are extending the bible then? As what happened with Paul

Hi mabel, more to look at...

We are now moving into Paul`s deeper teachings - Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, and these reveal the revelation of the Body of Christ, which was not revealed to 12 apostles or OT people. If we didn`t have those letters we really wouldn`t know of our wonderful inheritance in Christ.

As to those writing books today, much of it is error and money making. I find the old classics have the deeper truths - eg, ` My utmost for His highest,` by Oswald Chambers, is very clear. It has a short, daily message, and very applicable to our daily lives.

Thanks again for your great questions, as they help us all to look deeper into God`s word and His eternal purposes, for the Body of Christ, for Israel and for the nations.

Marilyn.   

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existential mabel

Ok then the mandate was different for both Peter and Paul. Its just the timing of Paul’s arrival.

 

The interesting thing about Peter is that he followed Jesus’ earthly ministry and the great escapes as extra!

 

Its mighty interesting that God now decides to widen the scope of things and it not just being about the Jews.

 

Paul he both interests me and deeply annoys me!

 

Many thanks

mabel

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Marilyn C

Hi mabel,

Yes the different mandates. It is good to realise that only after Christ ascended could He send the Holy Spirit with the enabling to make us like Him. Those people previously never had that opportunity. However they will still have a part in God`s great kingdom, just a different realm.

And hope we can sort out why Paul annoys you as we progress.

BTW God always had the Body of Christ - Jews and Gentiles in mind but the earthly purpose (Israel over the nations) had to be worked out for a bit first.

Marilyn.

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SisterActs2

To my way of thinking, Paul was a disciple, not in the sense that the 12 were, but later when his time came to serve Jesus, God Himself discipled him in Arabia for those 3 years.  I think of myself as a disciple of Christ, along with all who are serious about following Jesus all our lives, because we have to be disciplined in our walk with Him - not only talking the talk, but walking the walk all the days of our lives.  As we grow and mature in this discipline, and grow in our knowledge and love of our Lord, we are used by Him to reveal Himself to a world which needs Him more than it needs to breathe.

Of course he became that great Apostle, separate and distinct from all the disciples, as his great previous learning enabled him to be used of God in an enlarged and different way.

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existential mabel

i am beginning to realise that the NT in regards to Paul is something well worth getting to grips with as there is so much material there. it seems that Paul was the bridge link i guess to the Jews and the Gentiles. no one else could have been so qualified. interesting post sister

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