Bible Study notes (30 Nov 2018)

30 Nov 2018

The book of Galatians chapter 2 vs 1- 10

In this book Paul is defending his gospel which he had preached to them 14 years ago as some spies were diluting the true gospel with the wrong one. The key message of Paul to both Jews and Gentiles was God’s salvation is offered to all people regardless of race, sex, nationality, wealth, social standing, educational level or anything else. Anyone can be forgiven by trusting Christ. He wanted to make sure that all his work was not in vain due to these false teachings that were encrypting the church and as well as prove that all his teachings were not conflicting with the message of the Jewish leaders like Peter, James and John. Vs 2 “And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.” This meeting which Paul did also prevented a major split in the church and it formally acknowledged the Apostles approval of Paul’s preaching.

Sometimes we avoid conferring with others because we fear that problems and arguments may develop. Instead we should openly discuss our plans and actions with friends, counselors and advisers. Good communication helps everyone understand the situation better, it reduces gossip and builds unity in the church

One thing that very important in this passage is that Paul was solely preaching by revelation. We can only effectively preach through and by revelation.

Paul is trying to explain to them that the gospel they were listening to now was misleading them. They were now taught that without circumcision you are not worth and.

Paul was walking and travelling with Titus and Judaizers (false Christians) were asking Titus to be circumcised. He travelled with Titus preaching the gospel to the gentiles and Titus was not circumcised. (For more clarity on circumcision read: Genesis 17 vs 1-13 and Romans 2 Vs 25 -29)

25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the[c] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

Circumcision symbolised faith in God and was a metaphor which meant and representeda covenant and relationship with God. But the gospel they were now being taught meant the other way, meaning they were now removing total reliance of Christ and replacing it with total reliance on law. The gospel is all about total repentance, faith and freedomin God and not the dos and don’ts (laws). For the law was the school master which it prepared us for a better relationship with Lord. These false teachers were mainly a part of the Pharisees.

When we say Gospel: - We talk of the good news of Christ, his coming and dying for us (for our sins). We talk of the good news which is the freedom from bondage. He paid a debt that he did not owe. We owed the debt that he paid. We have got three dimensions of freedom that we need beware conversant of:

a) Freedom (totally free in God) with no limitations and boundaries in all your salvation ways.

b) Freedom but not free (still in bondage and getting commands and decisions from others)

c) Over freedom (too much freedom to the extent that you end up in trouble)

Therefore the revelation of the gospel is to make us free in all aspects of life (all aspect). John 8v38; “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. 2 Corinthians 3v17; “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”.

The gospel of Jesus Christ liberates which means it makes you free. So when Apostle Paul is saying I wanted to make sure that my labor was not in vain, it means he was also fighting for the bond he had created with them, the relationship he had established. Thus the same as unto us Christians; God expects us to have a better relationship with him, as well as to have a bond amongst us for every Christian is a missionary. A bond of love will make us positively fight for each other

The gospel should encourage the good news of freedom. Thus why Paul is saying in vs 4 ‘And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:’ meaning someone did come in and took the freedom away. So we need to safeguard ourselves and the gospel we have so that no one can sneak in and take it away from us. Leaving us empty and in bondage. That devil is a liar

In our everyday lives we do have some people who came in to take away our freedom and leave us in oppression. We also have some things which we do unknowingly and knowingly which keep us in bondage, so we need to proclaim our freedom, we need to own it and take it back. Our God is very faithful and does not choose. He just wants us to worship him, praise him, spread his good news and look after the need as it says in V 10. ‘Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. As church we should remember the poor, it is our mandate. We also need to remember the poor in spirit as well for their souls need salvation always.

As much as there is so much hindrances in the gospel path Paul is encouraging us that as Christians we should always know that we have encouragers around us and we should learn to take criticism for it will always be part of the battles we fight daily. Remaining positive and strong in the word will always help us to conquer. Our brains are a battle field which we have power to control and safe guard.

Proverbs 4v23; Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.