"I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel.." (v.7)
Paul wrote this letter to a group of fledgling churches in the region of Galatia (located in present-day Turkey) in order to address some serious issues facing the early church. The primary problem concerned the status of Gentile Christians. At issue was the question of the relationship of newly converted Gentile believers to the practices of the Law.
Some of the first Christian leaders concluded that Gentiles needed to observe the ritual of circumcision as prescribed by the Old Testament Law, in order to participate fully in the salvation offered by the gospel. However, Paul came to a different conclusion. He presented an extended argument for the full acceptance of Gentile believers, apart from such practices as circumcision (“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law”).
As we read together through the book of Galatians, we will see that Paul’s response to those who would try and hold the Gentiles to Jewish Law is clear and firm–to require Gentiles to submit to the Law contradicts the freedom of the gospel. He even went so far as calling their's, “a different gospel” stating that, “some are throwing you into confusion and trying to pervert the gospel message” (v.7).
I praise God for people like Paul who are the watchdogs of truth, who have been entrusted with the gospel, and dare to proclaim it fully without adding to or subtracting from it. Bottom line; Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed!
The Truth
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1)
Paul wrote this letter to a group of fledgling churches in the region of Galatia (located in present-day Turkey) in order to address some serious issues facing the early church. The primary problem concerned the status of Gentile Christians. At issue was the question of the relationship of newly converted Gentile believers to the practices of the Law.
Some of the first Christian leaders concluded that Gentiles needed to observe the ritual of circumcision as prescribed by the Old Testament Law, in order to participate fully in the salvation offered by the gospel. However, Paul came to a different conclusion. He presented an extended argument for the full acceptance of Gentile believers, apart from such practices as circumcision (“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law”).
As we read together through the book of Galatians, we will see that Paul’s response to those who would try and hold the Gentiles to Jewish Law is clear and firm–to require Gentiles to submit to the Law contradicts the freedom of the gospel. He even went so far as calling their's, “a different gospel” stating that, “some are throwing you into confusion and trying to pervert the gospel message” (v.7).
I praise God for people like Paul who are the watchdogs of truth, who have been entrusted with the gospel, and dare to proclaim it fully without adding to or subtracting from it. Bottom line; Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed!
The Truth
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1)
