Galatians

     When Paul and Barnabas set out on their first missionary journey, they go first to the island of Cyprus.  This is no surprise since Barnabas is a native of the island.  Before long, however, they pass on to the mainland that is known today as Turkey.
     Most of the time on this first journey is spent in the province of Galatia.  Churches are established in Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe as the two preachers pass through.  Then the same cities are visited in reverse order as Paul and Barnabas return home.
     A disagreement concerning John Mark causes Paul and Barnabas to split and go in different directions at the start of a second trip.  Barnabas takes Mark and returns to Cyprus.  Paul selects Silas to accompany him on a second journey through Galatia, on to western Asia Minor and into Greece.  Paul also includes Galatia on his third missionary journey.  So these are the only churches visited by Paul on all three trips.
     It is to the congregations in this area that Paul addresses a letter known to us as the Epistle to the Galatians.  This letter deals with many important topics, including false teaching, being sons of God, and the contrast between the Old and New Laws.  In the context of the epistle these three are actually just one, since the false teaching refers to those who would impose the Law of Moses on Gentile converts, and being sons of God is presented to show how Gentiles can be God's children without obeying the Old Law.  But from these lessons we learn principles that can be applied to many other areas.
     In reading the accounts of Paul's trips in Acts 13-20, we notice that the Jews are his greatest enemies.  Even Jews who become Christians create problems by insisting that Gentile converts must follow the Law of Moses.
     These enemies use three approaches to discredit Paul.  They doubt his authority.  They question his teaching.  And they attack him personally.  From the first couple of chapters of Galatians we see that Paul is forced to deal in this letter with some of these very approaches.
     "For I would have you know, brethren," he writes in Galatians 1:11-12, "that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ."
     Paul has already pointed out in verses eight and nine that it is the teaching of his enemies that is faulty.
     "But even though we," he states, "or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed."
     By repeating the same statement twice, Paul emphasizes the importance of what he is saying.
     As was mentioned, Paul is referring here to those who teach that Gentile converts must observe the Law of Moses.  But is it acceptable to invent new doctrines in other areas?
     Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 4:6 about exceeding what is written.
     "Any one who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God;" John warns in verse nine of his second epistle, "the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son."
     "If any one comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;" John continues, "for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds."
     "I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book;" Revelation 22:18-19 warns, "if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book."
     How much liberty should we take when it comes to doctrine?  Do we really want to be "accursed" as Paul puts it in Galatians 1:8,9?
     Why is it, then, that we have so many conflicting religious doctrines today?  Is it enough just to say that they are not really conflicting when anyone with open eyes can see that they are?  One group says babies must be sprinkled in order to be saved.  Others claim that all can be saved without baptism.  If this is not conflicting, then what is?  Do we honestly expect people to believe us when we pat each other on the back and say we are all working together for the same purpose?
     Paul says that any teaching that does not come from the simple truth of the New Testament is contrary and distorted.  Is it really all that hard, then, to simply turn to the Bible as our sole source of authority and doctrine?

     Paul stresses the importance of following sound doctrine.  Part of this sound doctrine involves how we become children of God.  The false teaching addressed in the letter to the Galatians claims that children of God must follow the Old Law.
     "A man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus," Paul points out in Galatians 2:16, "even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."
     "I do not nullify the grace of God;" Paul adds in verse 21, "for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."
     In chapter three Paul calls the Galatians "foolish" for having listened to false teaching.  He also contrasts those who were cursed under the Law with those who are blessed in Christ.
     "Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith," Galatians 3:24-25 instructs. "But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor."
     It's not hard to understand from this passage that we are no longer under the Old Law.  But most people would be surprised to discover how many religious groups today still look to the Old Law for part of their doctrine.
     Galatians chapter four goes on with an allegory which teaches that the Old Law has been cast out to make way for the New Law.
     In the fifth chapter we learn that we cannot try to practice a mixture of the two systems.  If we rely on even a small part of the Old Law, the passage teaches, then Christ is of no benefit to us.
     "You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;" verse four claims, "you have fallen from grace."
     This makes it clear that the two systems are mutually exclusive.  And it teaches us something else, doesn't it?  Contrary to a doctrine followed by many religious groups, it is quite possible to fall from grace.
     Chapter five ends by contrasting the deeds of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit.
     "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident," the passage begins with verse 19, "which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envyings, drunkenness, carousings, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
     "But the fruit of the Spirit," the instruction continues with verse 22, "is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
     "Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."
     The final chapter contains advice on our relationships with others.  We would all do well to study this chapter carefully and then put its instructions into practice.
     "So then," verse 10 teaches, "while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith."
     We mentioned earlier that the book of Galatians discusses our being children of God.  But just how is it that we become sons and daughters of God?
     "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus," Galatians 3:26-27 responds.  "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
     So the children of God are those who through faith have been baptized into Christ, remembering that New Testament baptism involves immersion, a burial.  Is this what most of us have been taught?
     "You were running well;" Paul observes in Galatians 5:7, "who hindered you from obeying the truth?"
     There have always been false teachers and false doctrines.  But only obedience to the truth will set us free.

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission." (www.lockman.org)