Looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday evening! BOOKS OF THE BIBLE: GALATIANS M E M B E R S B I B L E S T U D Y U. S.

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1 M E M B E R S B I B L E S T U D Y TO: LEGISLATORS FROM: PASTOR RALPH DROLLINGER /7/365 DATE: MAR 6, 2012 N ote this week we will not meet on the evening of first-votes-back due to the conflict with the AIPAC dinner. We will plan to meet at 7:00 PM on Tuesday evening, March 6 in the Family Room (dinner served, spouses welcome). Please plan to attend and invite a fellow Congressman or woman! This week I have sensed a prompting to write an overview study of the New Testament Book of Galatians. This was one of the two books of the Bible that fueled the Reformation and is the basis of the Protestant Work Ethic that which so shaped the development of our nation and culture. In addition to national developmental implications (which I will delve into) this book has pertinent applications for one s personal growth in Christ. I will spot three of them as we work through this survey. Looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday evening! WEEKLY MEMBERS BIBLE STUDY SPECIAL TUESDAY NIGHT STUDY THIS WEEK 7:00 PM Capitol Room H324 Dinner served, Spouses welcome

2 M E M B E R S B I B L E S T U DY I. NAME The Apostle Paul planted many Churches on his various missionary journeys throughout Asia Minor (now Turkey). One region was called Galatia, and in this area the Apostle planted many churches (cf. 1:2; 1Cor. 16:1). This epistle is the only one he writes that is addressed to more than one Church. II. AUTHOR The epistle claims to have been written by Paul (1:1; 5:2) and given his style (as revealed here and elsewhere) there is no questioning his authorship. The great Apostle was born not too far from Galatia in another region known as Cilicia. It was there that he was raised in strict Jewish orthodoxy as a Pharisee (cf. Acts 23:6) striving to please his peers (Gal.1:10). His life drastically changed however when confronted by the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (cf. Acts 9). It was there that he was converted and given his marching orders as a missionary by Jesus surrogate messenger, Ananias (9:15). Especially interesting to us is the fact that his calling specifically included reaching political leaders (cf. 1Tim. 2:1-4) as well as Jew and Gentile. Christianity was only a small sect of Jewish converts at the start of his ministry and by the end it of it, the Faith had become a Roman Empire phenomenon! It is no stretch to say. PAUL WAS THE GREATEST MISSIONARY IN ALL OF HISTORY The date of his writing is shortly after the meeting of the Jerusalem Counsel in Acts 15. Most scholars place the writing of Galatians around A.D. 49. III. BACKGROUND A Roman province since 189 B.C., Paul had worked hard on his first missionary journey to found many churches in the Galatian region: Antioch, Derbe, Iconium and Lystra. The main purpose of the book is to put an end to the false teachings of the Judaizers. Since the founding of these churches they had infiltrated them and gained control, corrupting the doctrine of Salvation specifically justification by faith alone and instead they preached faith plus works. The distillation of Paul s counter is recorded in 2:21: If righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly. IV. EMPHASIS AND THEMES A. SALVATION BY FAITH ALONE Previously warned to stand down from preaching this heresy by the Jerusalem Counsel in Acts 15:23-29, the Judaizers had nonetheless persisted. They taught that Gentiles (and ostensibly people today), in order to be saved, must first become Jewish proselytes and submit to the Mosaic Law in addition to faith in Christ. If it weren t for this strong polemic, Christianity could have become a subset of Judaism. Lest one today think this thought far-fetched, Galatians 1:6-9 informs the reader that the whole church was already duped! In this line of thought, in 4:11 Paul adds, I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain. Interestingly, this is the only Epistle that Paul wrote that does not begin with, or in some way includes, a positive note to its readers; this underscores the serious tone relative to the dire consequences to the Church as a whole if there was to be no immediate course correction. B. SANCTIFICATION BY FAITH ALONE In addition to correcting the doctrine of Salvation, Paul carries the economy of by faith alone forward and incorporates it to the doctrine of Sanctification. I.e. sanctification in the life of the believer is also achieved by faith alone! In 5:25 he summarily states in this regard, If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. This too is an important theme to take away from the book. If the Holy Spirit does indeed dwell in the life of the believer (after being saved) then it stands to reason that He will mature the believer by His internal guidance and conviction of sin in His own way and timing. 3:3 adds, Having begun by the Spirit, are 2

3 M E M B E R S B I B L E S T U D Y you now being perfected by the flesh? Another picture of this differentiation is provided in 4:7: Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son Related to both Justification and Sanctification by the economy of faith alone, Paul clearly incorporates the proper purpose of the Mosaic Law in 3:24. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. The Mosaic Law, as always intended by God, was to be an instrument whereby a conscientious individual would measure himself, and hopefully, quickly determine that he or she lacked sufficient self-righteousness (cf. Deut. 27:26; Ja. 2:10) and was therefore in need of the imputed righteousness of Christ. Since we have quite a few Congressional Members in our Bible study who are medical doctors, allow me to illustrate it this way: The Law can be likened to an MRI machine. It does not cure; its purpose is to diagnose. In this analogy, Jesus is the Pharmacist who freely provides and fulfills the prescription for spiritual healing. In that Abraham believed in God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness (Gen. 15:6; Gal. 3:6), God s economies of salvation and sanctification have always been by belief versus works. Paul reasons that belief even in the OT has always been the means of salvation and sanctification, versus keeping the law. He reasons that one need keep in mind that the dispensation of the Law does not occur until 430 years after the Abrahamic Covenant/The Promise (Cf. Gal. 3:17). A GLANCE AT GALATIANS What goes through your head when you think about why you should or should not go to Heaven? What goes through your head when you think of achieving personal growth and self improvement? Does this Bible book shape that thinking? V. CHALLENGING PASSAGES In addition to correcting extremely aberrant and heretical thoughts on Salvation and Sanctification there are at least three passages in this letter that are used by others to propagate confusing theological viewpoints. I will attempt to provide you with a proper contextualized understanding on each. A. IS REGENERATION VIA WATER BAPTISM (3:27)? For all of you who were baptized into Christ The fact that immersion does not save is indicated clearly in 1Pe. 3:20-21; this passage in no way contradicts that one. 1Peter therefore necessitates a metaphorical understanding of what Paul is communicating here. This passage is not a reference to physical water baptism in that Paul is using the phrase baptized baptizo to place, immerse into Christ to communicate that the believer has been closely united with Christ in a similar sense to what he means in 2:20 wherein he states he has been crucified with Christ. (We reason that Paul wasn t literally dead when he wrote those words). If salvation is by faith alone (a truth replete throughout Scripture) then baptismal regeneration serves to negate the idea of faith alone; such would be equivalent to works (contr. Eph. 2:8-9). have clothed yourselves with Christ. The second stanza of Galatians 3:27 is a parallel thought, an additional beautiful facet on the same diamond of truth: The believer, upon placing their faith in Christ is clothed with Christ. Again this is a metaphoric picture (our Lord doesn t expect us to wear certain underwear). The picturesque prose of this Pauline passage is intended to vividly illustrate the believer s positional and practical unity with their Lord. B. ARE ROLES THE SAME FOR MEN AND WOMEN (3:28)? 3

4 M E M B E R S B I B L E S T U DY There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. The Evangelical Feminist movement has based much of their egalitarian theology on and from this one passage. Properly understood all believers are one in Christ, be they Jew or Greek, slave or freeman, male or female. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. In addition to impartiality in Christ, God s Word clearly and repeatedly teaches that by God s design, there are differing roles in life. This uniqueness in roles includes Governing authorities versus the Citizenry (Rom. 13:1-8)); Elders versus Congregants (Heb. 13:17); Bosses versus Employees (IPe. 2:18); Parents versus Children (Eph. 6:1); and Husbands versus Wives (1Pet. 3:1). A whole cadre of passages attests to role difference. Although positions vary, Galatians 3:28 serves to make it clear that one is not more significant or important than another in Gods eyes nor should that be the case in ours! (Paul specifically elaborates on impartiality in 1Cor. 12:13-26, and in Ja. 2:1-9. Contextually Galatians 3:28 fits with the principle of those passages). C. IS THERE NO ETERNAL SECURITY (5:4)? You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. In the corpus of this epistle one is studying the cataclysmic clash between salvation by faith alone versus salvation by faith plus works (aka, keeping the Mosiac Law in addition to grace). In that nowdeveloped context Paul is saying that anyone who turns their back on the former (i.e. identified as you who are seeking to be justified by the law) purpose to sever themselves from an economy of salvation by faith alone. The Greek word for sever katargeo means to be estranged. Fallen ekpipto means to lose one s grasp on something. Accordingly what is being communicated here is this: Those who side with the Judaizers estrange themselves from what Paul had preached against so clearly and vehemently (cf. Gal. 1:6-9) and they release their grasp on God s economy of salvation by grace only. Taken in context, this passage does not tamper with or contradict the myriad of passages that teach the eternal security of the believer (cf. Rom. 8:31-39). SALVATION BY FAITH ALONE VIA THE GRACE OF GOD IS A CRITICALLY- IMPORTANT TENANT OF BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY! My friend, do not be mistaken in your theological understanding, what you are trusting in, or counting on, regarding how one is saved! Is this not clear? VI. APPLICATION TO GOVERNING AUTHORITIES A. TO THE PERSON What follows are three take-away points from Galatians that should forever shape one s life: 1. POSSESS THE ZEALOUS COMMITMENT OF PAUL In Galatians 1:10 the great Apostle states, For am I now seeking the favor of men or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still striving to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. Prior to his conversion, Paul murdered Christians in his attempt to please the most ardent Pharisees. After coming to Christ his singular ambition was to please Christ. How about you? If Jesus paid it all does not all to Him I owe follow? In 2:20 Paul underscores the theological reality that breeds such zealous devotion of a man to his Lord. He writes, I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 4

5 M E M B E R S B I B L E S T U D Y Paul saw his old nature as dead. He himself, with his selfish ambitions were now no longer a priority, In fact he reckoned them dead rather Christ lived in him! Such single-minded devotion to one s Lord can only stem from one s adoption of a similar biblical understanding spelled out here in Galatians. Meditate on this passage. What idols in your heart eclipse this singular focus that one need possess in serving the One to whom they owe their very life? 2. PREVENT DEVELOPING A LEGALISTIC SPIRIT Legalists are self-righteous people who possess pharisaical attitudes. They are hard to be around and evidence little joy. They convey attitudes of spiritual superiority and are often condescending. Conversely, if one is saved by the grace of God, it follows that to be Christ-like they need extend grace to others (who perhaps are not as mature in Christ). Remember 5:1: It was for freedom that Christ set us free Therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery. Christ came to set believers free from an economy of bondage a standard of does and don ts. I.e. feeling like one always has to perform to be accepted and never knowing if you re good enough. Inevitably in an economy of earning one s salvation or sanctification above bad attitudes are born. Paul confronts condescension in 6:3: For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Be characterized as a person who grants to others what they may not deserve. Don t believe, think, or come-off as though you are spiritually or morally superior! In addition some whole church congregations and elder boards come-off this way they need to study this book of the Bible! AVOID THINKING OF OTHERS AS OXYGEN-DEFICIENT CLIMBERS FROM YOUR SUMMIT PERCH When climbing with others I should feel fortunate to be the last one up the route. When I understand God s grace I don t even deserve to summit! 3. PROGRESS BY WALKING IN THE SPIRIT One may ask, in an economy of grace how then do I mature in Christ? Here s how: If one remains sensitive to God s indwelling Holy Spirit by confessing sin whenever He convicts (1John 1:9) and remains short-roped to His Word (Col. 3:16), then they are walking by the Spirit. 5:16 states: Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Now notice the following two passages: In 1Corinthians 4:3-4 he states I don t even examine anakrino myself but the one who examines anakrino me is the Lord. Later, in the same letter he says that when a believer comes to the communion table he needs to examine dokimazo himself (1Cor. 11:28). That s to say this: There is a need to walk in the Spirit versus quenching the Spirit (cf. 1Thes. 5:19), so as to enable the Spirit to anakrino to judge and prompt one s own heart for specific areas of needed growth. (But such liberty corresponding to this economy of sanctification should not give way to or err on the side of license [cf. Rom. 6:1-2]). Why? One still needs to ultimately within their own conscience examine dokimazo analyze and approve of their own actions. Notice that both of these passages on sanctification inure to the convicting and guiding power of the Holy Spirit versus one keeping a rigid set of disciplined principles to live by and constantly measure-up to. No! Instead, trust the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide moment by moment! One need allow the personable Holy Spirit to be their ultimate guide for growth, moment by moment direction and coarse corrections! Remember Christianity is relationship not a bunch of rules and regulations! Rather than live with a check list Paul concludes in 6:4, But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. 5

6 M E M B E R S B I B L E S T U DY B. TO THE POSITION The theme of this book of the Bible provides the tremendous undergirding for the cultural advancement of historic Reformation-based countries. The theological strata of this book fueled the Reformation, giving birth to what is commonly referred to as the Protestant Work Ethic (cf. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max Weber, Eng. trans. 1930). The God-inspired Book of Galatians explicates the confidence an individual can have in the reality and fruitfulness of being indwelled by the Holy Spirit (cf. 5:22). The resident Holy Spirit empowers (cf. Acts 1:8; Eph. 3:16) the individual to overcome their sin nature which among many other manifestations includes slothfulness (cf. Prov. 12:27). Further, when the Holy Spirit indwells the individual they are led into all truth (John 16:13), sensitized and empowered in their conscience (Rom. 2:15; contr. 1Cor. 8:7) and victorious and overcoming by nature (John 16:33; Jn. 2:13). What huge societal benefits are achieved if such people can be fostered by governmental leaders! A nation in which the civil government promotes freedom of religion means the Church is unleashed to grow and prosper (typically more so than a country where the Church is persecuted). Thence Spirit indwelt individuals rise above the effects of oppressive sin and influence, shape and aid the country. How magnificently this prospers the whole of a nation! The result is there is much less a need for a dictator and/or a police state to alternatively quell the inherent sin nature of man. When an individual is indwelt by God via the Galatian way of achieving this: By faith in Christ alone, what results are the following internal attitudes per 5:22, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And the following external actions per Paul s summary words in 6:9-10: Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people These are the profound personal applications and professional implications to a governing authority that flow from the study and application of this profound NT book. As a believer appointed by God to public office make sure to live according to the truths heralded in Galatians. Possess, Prevent and Progress personally. And professionally uphold the constitutional tenant of freedom of religion in order to further the indwelling Holy Spirit in the lives of other individuals both now and in the future powerful God-indwelt lives that will affect a nation for good! Read this epistle through several times this week: One may not realize it, but the America they know and love was greatly shaped by Paul s letter to the Galatians, so you should know its contents backwards and forward! GALATIANS SAYS WHEN INDIVIDUALS ARE INDWELT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT THEY WILL BE GOVERNED FROM WITHIN What comparatively results are more societal liberties, more freedom, more prosperity and more opportunity to reach full potential (to say nothing about the need for less governmental controls). 6