STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF GALATIANS

Roy Matlock The Monthly Mission Messenger Volume III, No. 34 Roy Matlock Ministries http://www.pastorroymatlock.com The Messenger is free for those who love to study God s Word. The Messenger is supported by free love offerings from those who wish to help spread the Word. May God Bless You. My friends, Please send this link to all your contacts. The Monthly Mission Messenger is available on site with all other materials written by Pastor Matlock. STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF GALATIANS INTRODUCTION The place called Galatia in the Bible has a long history. About 185 B.C. it was founded by the Celtics who were descendants of the invading Gauls. They captured Rome and France during those days. France was once called Gaul. In Asia Minor, they founded the area called Galatia. It is in the country we call Turkey today. The people who dwelt in Galatia during the lifetime of the Apostle Paul were descendants of the Gauls. This letter by the Apostle Paul is addressed, not to a single church but to be circulated to all the churches in the Roman province of Galatia. In verse two he states, To the churches of Galatia. By addressing it to the churches the message would reach many more people than just writing a letter to a single church as all his other epistles are. During his absence these people were led astray by teachers from among the Jewish sects that led them to believe that to be saved they had to keep certain customs of the Jewish Law. It was to correct this false teaching and to lead them back to the truth of the gospel that he wrote this letter to them. There are scores of people today that are as easily drawn into a false set of teachings as were the Galatians. This is because of simply not having given themselves to systematic teaching of the Bible. If, when a person accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, that person would simply obey the commands as stated in Hebrews 10:25 and 2 Tim. 2:15, he or she would be continually taught the things of the Bible. Look at these verses and determine that you will be obedient to them. Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. This writer prays that you will study with us faithfully through the Book of Galatians. Galatians Chapter One (1) V,1. Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) The ministry of Jesus here on earth was about three and one half years. Paul did not see Him during His personal ministry. Paul was born in Tarsus which is located near, and just south of, the northeastern point of the Mediterranean Sea. Paul was a strict follower of the teachings of the Pharisees (Acts 23:6). He didn t learn that Jesus was the promised Messiah from the Pharisees. He learned it when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-16). Later he went into Arabia where Jesus Himself 1

taught him all the truths about the old and new covenants. Paul, whose name was Saul before his conversion, left Damascus as he describes in Gal. 1:11-17 and went to Arabia and returned to Damascus. As we study any of the books of the Bible we need to know all we can about how God has had it prepared for us. There is an old and accepted rule of interpretation that if we know (1) who is speaking, (2) to whom is he speaking, (3) about what he is speaking, and (4) what time period he is speaking about, we will always get it right. The writer of Galatians is the Apostle Paul. If you will follow his life as recorded in the scriptures you find that it s a long study and is important to understanding a lot of the Bible. Paul wrote 14 of the books of the New Testament. You could begin with Acts 6:7-15. This tells about a man named Stephen and how he tried to teach the Jews that Jesus was their promised Messiah. They didn t believe him so he preached to them the truth about it as recorded in Acts 7:1-53. They would not accept the truth and finally killed him. Lost people don t want to hear the truth from the Word of God. Notice how the people had a leader whose name was SAUL. Acts 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. Saul hated the Christians and the church, and had people put in jail and some killed who were Christians. You can read on in: Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. You find him again in Acts 9:1 as he continues persecuting the Christians. As you read to verse 3 and on, you find where Jesus met him, and Saul himself accepted Jesus as the Savior and gave himself to be His servant. Read on thru 9:31. You find him again in 13:1-5 where God instructed the church at Antioch to send out some missionaries of whom one of them was SAUL. Read on and you follow his ministry as a missionary and in Acts 13:9 his name was changed to PAUL. After that he is always called The Apostle Paul. The word Disciple means A follower. The word Apostle means One sent. Saul became a disciple of Christ on the road to Damascus. He was chosen to be an apostle by God and was sent out by the Church at Antioch. If you continue reading you will find that when he began his 3 rd missionary journey (Acts 18:23) he left Antioch (his home church where he was sent out as a missionary) and passed through Galatia and Phrygia and came to Ephesus where he remained over two years. It was a much longer time than he had spent in any other city on these journeys. It would be good if you got a Bible map and located these cities. They are in the country we call TURKEY today. Now, it is good when someone gives his heart to God to be a faithful Christian. It is good if the person will fall in love with the Bible, God s Word. His Word tells us all that God wants us to know about His work. So, it would be good for you if you just continue reading. After you finish Acts, go to Galatians. V,2. And all the brethren who are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: As Paul traveled during his missionary journeys he collected a team of ministers that traveled with him. Many of them are named in Acts 20:4. And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. All these men, no-doubt, read the letter Paul wrote to the Galatians and approved it because he said, All the brethren who are with me. 2

Here he points out that it is a joint circular letter. It is to go to all the churches in the province of Galatia. V,3. Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Paul would always bid his readers God-speed in his salutation. He said that was a sign in all his letters. 2 Thessalonians 3:17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle: so I write. 18. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. We find this same salutation in the book of Hebrews which makes it a great possibility that Paul was the author of it. There are also many other clues besides this in the book that indicate that he was the author. Hebrews 13:25 Grace be with you all. Amen. V,4. Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God our Father: 5. To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. The personal pronoun Who is speaking of Jesus. Any gospel writer could write pages about that statement. We know that Jesus came into the world for that purpose. 1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;... V,6. I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Paul is amazed that a group of people who publicly made a profession that they had accepted Jesus Christ as their Savor and experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit living within their hearts could accept that there had to be another way. He explains that the new message they heard from the false teachers was not the gospel truth. V,8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed. This is placing the judgment of false teachers in a serious position. The word Accursed here is from the Greek word ANATHEMA which means, An offering or thing devoted to destruction. Given up to the curse This is what God thinks of false teachers who teach that it takes something added to the blood of Jesus for a person to be saved. V,10. For do I now seek the favor of men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. Paul sought to please God, not man. He makes sure that the gospel he preached to them was not to please men. You will notice that what he preached to them had nothing to do with the laws of the Old Testament. V,12. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Here again he states that Jesus taught him what he preaches. This teaching took place in Arabia. V,13. For you have heard of my manner of life in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: He is referring to the record of the time when Stephen was stoned and he was placing men and women in jail and having some of the New Testament church members killed and Jesus met him on the road to Damascus and changed him. 3

V,14. And advanced in the Jews' religion above many of my equals in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. Here he points out that where he grew up he was zealous for the cause of God as he was taught, more than many of his own age. He acknowledges here that now he knows that he was a false teacher then. Jesus changed him on the Road to Damascus. V,15. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16. To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17. Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them who were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. After his Damascus Road experience, and after he was baptized, he did not go to Jerusalem to learn from the disciples who walked with Jesus; he left Damascus and went into Arabia where he was taught by Jesus Himself. He said in verse 12, For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. As we read the account of his actions in Acts 9:18-22 where he was baptized, he immediately began to preach that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. This writer believes that at this point Saul went into Arabia and spent most of the three years mentioned in verse 18. (Gal. 1:15-18. Verse 23 states, And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him. (The many days were the three years he was in Arabia). He escaped from them and went to Jerusalem. We read in Acts 10 & 11 that the gospel was being accepted by many Gentiles. First the house of Cornelius. Then a great number (Acts 11:19-24). After Saul escaped from the Jews who tried to kill him at Damascus, he came to Jerusalem and they tried to kill him there. He then went home to Tarsus (Acts 9:25-30). V,18. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. This seems to be three years after his conversion on the road to Damascus that he goes to see Peter. V,19. But other of the apostles saw I none, except James the Lord's brother. Jesus was the Son of God, not the son of Joseph. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit as the angel Gabriel explained to Mary (Luke 2:35). Jesus was the first Son of Mary. She had other children of whom one of them was named James. Matthew 13:53-56 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there. 54. And when he came into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, From where has this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55. Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brothers, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? from where then has this man all these things? Saul came to Jerusalem and spent 15 days visiting with Peter and James. V,20. Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21. Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22. And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ: 23. But they had heard only, That he who persecuted us in times past now preaches the faith which once he destroyed. 24. And they glorified God in me. Paul assures them that he is telling them the truth. After his visit with Peter and James he goes to Syria. That s the same as Syria today. Then he went on to Cilicia. The churches of Judea did not see him but heard that the man who once persecuted us is now for us, and they praised God for that. More next month 4

Bible Quiz for this month What was the Apostle Paul s name before he became a Christian? What city did he grow up in? Give scripture for your answers.. Answer to last month s Bible Quiz We didn t have a quiz for last month. We ran out of space and didn't get it in. The quiz for April was: How many angels are named in the Bible? The answer is 3. Give their names and each scripture where they are named. 1. Michael. Found 5 times in the Bible. 2. Gabriel. Found 4 times in the Bible. 3. Lucifer. Found 1 time in the Bible. Under each of these angels there is a great host of angels, all created to be ministering spirits. THERE ARE THREE GROUPS OF ANGELS Each group has an archangel as the leader and the archangels are the only ones who are named in the Bible: Michael, Gabriel and Lucifer. Since we are on the subject, let s just look at each of them and the realm in which they and their host serve God. 1. Those who minister to God in the Spiritual realm. The Archangel is Michael. His name, in the Hebrew, means, One Like God. His name is found five times in the Bible. In each case he is found working in the Spiritual Realm. (1) Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, w h e n contending with the devil as he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not b r i n g against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke you. Here Michael is disputing with the devil about the body of Moses. This is his characteristic wherever he is found. (2) Daniel 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; for I had remained there with the kings of Persia. Here again we find Michael fighting a spiritual battle for God. (3) Daniel 10:21 But I will show you that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that upholds me in these things, but Michael your prince. In this passage Michael is standing with Gabriel in a spiritual battle for God. (4) Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, Michael fights spirits. NOTE: Michael and HIS angels. (5) Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of your people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. Michael will watch over the Tribulation Period as described in the book of Revelation. 2. Those who minister to God in the Intellectual realm. The Archangel is Gabriel. His name means, Hero of God. His name is found four times in the Bible. In each case he is talking with a human being causing him or her to understand something within God s realm for their life. (1) Daniel 8:16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. Gabriel helped Daniel to understand the vision. (2)Daniel 9:21 Yea, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being 5

caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. in verse 22 he is speaking to Daniel, Informing him and giving him skill and understanding. (3) Luke 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stands in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto you, and to show you these glad tidings. Verses 5-20 show the angel speaking to man. In verse 19 he said, And am sent to speak to you and to show you (4) Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, Verses 26-30 tell of the angel speaking to Mary about the birth of Jesus. 1). For over 400 years Israel had looked for this King. 2). For over 400 years they had had no prophet to speak to them. 3). They had been under bondage to four different Empires. (1). Babylon. (2). Medo-Persia (3). Greece (4). Rome 3. Those who minister to God in the Material realm. The Archangel was Lucifer. His name in the angelic form is printed only one time. (From the Hebrew, HELEL. His name meant, Shining One. He is referred to many times in the Bible but by different names. NOTE: I believe it was printed only this one time in the angelic name to let us know that he was once one of God s chosen ones. But he rebelled against God and was not worthy of that name ever being used or printed again. The one time he is referred to in his holy form is to show us what he was and what he became. These angels were to serve God in the material realm and take care of the Earth but didn t. Jude 6. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Isaiah 14:12-15 How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how are you cut down to the ground, who did weaken the nations! 13. For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the farthest sides of the north: 14. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15. Yet you shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Matt. 25:41). Lucifer s name was taken away and he is, from that point on, known as the Devil, Satan and many other evil names. Then he became the devil. He is found many more times in the Bible by evil names. This is to warn us about him. We are to shun him. They were cast back into the Earth. Ezekiel 28:15-17 You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was found in you. 16. By the multitude of your trade they have filled the midst of you with violence, and you have sinned: therefore I will cast you as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, you have corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor: I will cast you to the ground, I will lay you before kings, that they may behold you. The Devil, with all his angels, was cast back into the earth. Jesus said of that incident: Luke 10:18...I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Satan is now called by many names. We are told that he walks about seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: He is called The Prince of the power of the air. Ephesians 2:2 In which in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: 6

SATAN S OTHER NAMES The evil that he does to mankind. 1. Adversary He lies and deceives us like he did to Eve in the Garden of Eden 2. Roaring lion A lion roars in the jungle to let all others know that he is the king of the jungle. Satan wants humans to think that he is king & has just as much power as God. This is a lie. God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. Satan is a liar. He is not any of these. 3. Devil: From the Greek word: Diabolos meaning, Slanderer, accuser. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: 4. Satan Satan would have you to worship him just as he tried to get Jesus to worship him. Jesus said: You shall worship the Lord your God. Him only shall you serve. Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get you behind me, Satan: for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve. 5. Tempter Satan tempted Jesus just as he tempted Eve. He also tempts us to sin against God. Matthew 4:1-3 Then was Jesus led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungry. 3. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If you are the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 6. Prince of the power of the air 7. Prince of this world. Satan wants everyone to think that he is a prince. And indeed, he is called the prince of the power of the air and of this world. But this sinful world is going to pass away. Ephesians 2:2 In which in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 8. Dragon We think of a dragon as something terrible and dangerous. Indeed, Satan is terrible and dangerous. Shun him. 9 Serpent The venomous serpent is also dangerous. Satan is called a serpent. Shun him. Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10. The god of this age 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of them who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. This age is referring to the time span of man upon this earth. He wants all humans to worship him. MAY GOD BLESS AS YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY HIS WORD Help Spread the Word. Share this link http://www.pastorroymatlock.com Everyone, please Send this link to all your contacts, family and friends. The Monthly Mission Messenger is available on site with all other materials written by Pastor Roy. Read, download and file it for future studies. Share our weekly devotional every Monday morning on the weekly blog. Start the week off right by letting the Holy Spirit bless you and be your guide. Click on Video and listen to Pastor Roy sing, I ll See You Soon, as pictures flow across the screen. The final picture is of their 50th wedding anniversary and all their family. 7

HELPS AND HINTS FOR DEEPER STUDY OR YOUR SPIRIUAL ENJOYMENT Order info on web page www.pastorroymatlock.com C D I LL SEE YOU SOON Your editor plays the guitar and sings Country Gospel. We have completed our first recording of a CD entitled I ll See You Soon. This is the first of a series of Country Gospel songs written by your Editor. It somewhat tells the story of me and my wife who went to be with the Lord on March 27, 2012. THE WORKING MAN S DEER HUNT A true to life account of a one man deer hunt with pictures of your editor and the deer that was taken. Contains a great testimony of a spiritual experience that happened with just me and God in the deep woods. REVELATION COMMENTARY A description of the evil beast. The Antichrist exposed. The woman on the scarlet colored beast explained. Second Coming of Christ. Battle of Armageddon. The Millennial Kingdom. The Holy City and the glories of heaven. THE BIBLE QUIZ Hundreds of Bible questions with an answer section that will guide you to the answers to many things of the Bible. Sharpen your Bible skills. Increase your Bible knowledge. A BIBLICAL CHRONOLOGY OF MAN A detailed study of the scriptural links with dates from Adam to the birth of Jesus. HEAVEN, WHERE IT IS AND HOW TO GET THERE Hell, where it is and how to avoid going there A study about the eternal Holy City and the New Earth, about hell, that place that all unsaved people wish, or hope, doesn t exist. THE AGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY a STUDY OF God s plan for younger children who, for some reason may die from infancy through a very young age when they have not made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. A must for all parents wish young children. THE MOST POWERFUL FOUR BIBLE DOCTRINES There are certain fundamental doctrines taught in the Bible that are very important P and should be known by all believers. This study covers the four most important doctrines for mankind to know in order to have perfect peace with God. MIRACLES AND TONGUES These teachings go into deep detail about what the Bible teaches on these subjects. They give the Old Testament prophecies concerning them and the New Testament fulfillment of them. There is much confusion in religious circles today about these subjects. A good Bible knowledge about them will remove such confusion. MY JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE Roy Matlock This will begin when and where I was born and covers the highlights of my life. It covers the growth of my family with pictures all through life; somewhat of an Autobiography. 106 pages, many color pictures: LAW & GRACE - NEW A detailed study primarily of why most Christians do not keep the 7th Day Sabbath, but worship on the first day of the week.