King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Monday, November 25, 2024
Chapters: Galatians Chapters 1-3
Message: Dead To The Law, Alive Through Christ
Hello My Friend,
Can you believe that we are one month away from Christmas Day and five weeks from 2025? Thanks to an unexpected blessing from my previous supervisor withholding information from me, Praise God, I have this week off paid. I am ready for a week of baking, Christmas decorating, and preparing Thanksgiving dinner, but I just know nothing is going to go as I see it in my mind because my mother is already awake. I keep telling myself that the afflictions I have been facing this year is payback for not being faithful to God in regards to church and serving Him in my ministry, but just realized what the purpose is.
[Galatians 2:19-21 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.]
Since Christ suffered, we who accept Him as our Saviour can expect some suffering too, not as extreme as He suffered, but sometimes it does feel like we do. I will say this, the events that I am facing today may have been what was appointed me from the beginning, I certainly would not want to be dealing with them without Christ, [2 Corinthians 1:5-6 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.]
The Book of Galatians contains six chapters, the author is Paul, and it was first written to the believers of Galatia. Paul, wrote this letter during his third trip to Corinth, around 60AD. The purpose of the letter was to correct the false teaching of Jewish legalism that got mixed in with grace and was now a part of the Christian Church. What we are to learn from the book is that all who receive Christ as their Saviour are justified by grace alone through their faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross, [Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.]
First and far most we must understand that there is only one Gospel to follow, and that is the sinless death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The churches of Galatia were formed by both converted Jews and Gentiles, somehow they began following another gospel, which stated that a person who received Christ as their Saviour only remained saved by continued works of the law of Moses. Paul, begins the letter by reiterating that there is only one Gospel of which salvation is made possible.
[Galatians 1:1-4,6-8 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 6 I marvel that ye 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. 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.]
[an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ,] Paul, points out that the only person to appoint him as an apostle is Jesus as He did the other twelve, [Matthew 10:2-4 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.]. Well, one of the twelve Judas Iscariot turned out to be an apostate and was replaced by Matthias, [Acts 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.]
[But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel] The reason why Paul brings up an angel is because the devil was an angel before he had fallen and he took a third of them with him, [] So, angels are given the same freewill that we are given, but the difference between us and them is that we are human beings who have souls while they are celestial beings, [1 Corinthians 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.]
As apostle is a disciple of Christ who literally walked with Him throughout His earthly ministry and were appointed by Him to preach the Gospel to all the world. While some of the other disciples other than the twelve may have been apostles also, the reason why we know the Gospel today is probably because Paul ministered it to the Gentiles, per Christ’s appointment as well, [Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.]
So if anyone tells you that they are an apostle today they are giving you incorrect information because there are only twelve apostles, with one exception and that is Paul. While Paul did not physically walk with Jesus during the three and half years that He was here, he did spend the same amount of time with Him after he was converted and went to Tarsus, [Acts 9:29-30 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.]
It seems from the letter that there were some questions regarding the genuineness of Paul’s testimony, and ministry, which he goes on to address that he was not there to please man, but God.
[Galatians 1:10-12,15-18 For do I now persuade 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 certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 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 heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.]
[that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.] There is the key right there to know whether or not one is preaching the Gospel of truth. Religions that preach their own form of the Gospel do so for their own glory in that they make grace of no effect by holding on to their salvation by their own works. In the three years that Paul spent separated from everyone it was so that he could get a better understanding of the Gospel as well as Jesus. Remember, he as a Pharisee, so he was well aware of Jesus at the time, but was not a believer. We are not to combine the works of the Law with grace under any circumstances. Remember, even the apostles had a hard time comprehending. Paul, reminds them that he fussed at Peter for trying to frustrate grace by adding circumcision when he was questioned about it.
[Galatians 2:1-2,4-7 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 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. 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: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: 7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;]
[but privately to them which were of reputation,] Paul, goes on to explain how the majority of apostles separated and preached to the Jews while he began preaching to the Gentiles until he found out that Peter was preaching to them only if there were no Jews around.
[Galatians 2:11-14 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?]
[I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel,] Paul, could have called Peter and the other apostles out in public for their allowing works to creep in with the Gospel, but he did not, he spoke to them privately. This is how all Christians are to confront those who are unlearned or erred from the truth, [Matthew 18:15-17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.]
God, wants us to get it through our heads that while we are all different, we are all the same when it comes to our salvation. We must all believe the same when it comes to the Gospel and our being justified, which has nothing to do with our obedience to the Law, and everything to do with our faith in Christ. Yes, the Law is our guide, as it was theirs before Christ. This is what Paul is stressing to them.
[Galatians 2:16-18 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.]
[we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners,] Without the acknowledgment that we are sinners there is no justification of salvation. There is no need to follow the Law in regards to sacrifices and ceremonies for redemption because Jesus put an end to it all, therefore, it is dead to us. However, if we just followed the Law without grace we would die in our sins and end up in hell. Paul, continues to stress this as well.
[Galatians 3:1-4 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.]
[having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?] The second we receive Christ as our Saviour we are made perfect in regards to our soul, but our flesh has a lot to learn. That is where the Law does come in, it is our guide to what God sees as sin, if we are saved, we automatically do things contained within the Law, in regards to morals, not out of obligation, but out of faith because we live unto God. Jesus died for every soul, therefore, if a person believes in Him, then why would they trust anyone telling them they need to follow rules that are not even biblical to keep their salvation? This is what Paul is telling the Galatians for bringing this into the church, and reminds them of the promise that God gave Abraham.
[Galatians 3:6-8,10-11 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.]
[Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book] The curse meaning, the death of every soul born from Adam, as well as a curse of the earth, [Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Genesis 3:15,17 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 7 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;]
We who are saved are one of those children promised to Abraham, the only children to physically see Abraham on earth was those of Issac, Jacob, and Esau, but every day he meets more of his children in heaven. So, why then, did God give His Law them? Because of their sin. They needed the Law to get them right with God until Jesus would come.
[Galatians 3:12-15 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.]
[Christ hath redeemed us…being made a curse for us:] The curse of the law are the ceremonial laws contained within the Book of Leviticus. Our Saviour has perfectly fulfilled the law on the behalf of the Jewish people, whom He is represented in the flesh from His immaculate birth until His sinless death through Mary. So, we no longer follow the Law in regards to animal sacrifices, rather moral laws.
[Galatians 3:19-23 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.]
[It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come] The Law of Moses served the purpose of the just living by faith until Jesus would come and replace the need for the animal sacrifices. We are never to discount the Law as it was just as much of Christ as it is today. In fact, Jesus often quoted from the Law. Jesus, did not come here to abolish the Law, He came here to fulfill the Law, [Matthew 5:17-19 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.]
Laws are for lawbreakers, so in other words, they needed the Law to get them right with God until Jesus would come. It was their schoolmaster until Christ’s passion was fulfilled.
[Galatians 3:24-29 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.]
[after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.] [Schoolmaster; He or that which disciplines, instructs and leads.] The Law of Moses served the purpose of the just living by faith until Jesus would come and replace the need for the animal sacrifices. We are never to discount the Law as it was just as much of Christ as it is today. In fact, Jesus often quoted from the Law. Jesus, did not come here to abolish the Law, He came here to fulfill the Law, [Matthew 5:17-19 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.]
Today’s Prayer: God, It is still unbelievable to think that we do not have to do anything to be saved except believe in and receive Your Son, Jesus Christ, as our Saviour. Thank You, Jesus, for making such a great sacrifice for us, we are not worthy to receive such a gift, but You offer it freely to anyone who comes to You by their believing in Your Gospel. Lord, as I live my life for You, keep me grounded in this truth, never let me fall into for another gospel, and never let me turn anyone down from knowing the truth. Let me continue be a witness and testimony of Your wonderful love and grace on my life. I love you, Lord, and pray this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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