Introduction to Galatians - Fairhaven Baptist Church

Intro to Galatians

“…Unto the Churches of Galatia:”

(Gal. 1:2b)

Intro: Tonight we will begin our look into the book of Galatians. We will start with some background, some historical context. The founding, the area, the people, and other details about who wrote the letter, who it was written, when, and why. Then in the following studies, we will begin to look at the content of the letter. As always, my desire is not to see what this letter says to me (us), but to find out what it says, and then apply those areas that apply to us, to our lives. So, let’s jump right in.

Who is Writing this Letter?
1. The Short Answer,
  1. Paul,
    1. Galatians 1:1 “ Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)”
      - Paul is clearly the writer here. He states it outright, as well as making many personal references throughout the book. Using personal pronouns, and referring to things he personally did, such as in vs.15 when he gives his personal testimony, “God separated ME from MY mothers womb”
    2. But notice vs.2 “ Paul, an apostle,….2 And all the brethren which are with me, ”
      - who are these “Brothers that are with him?
        
        Commentaries state that this is a reference to the people at Ephesus, being that is where he most likely wrote the letter.
      - However the person that put pen to paper was Paul, not a scribe,
        
        we know this because of
        
        Galatians 6:11 “Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.”
  2. The True Author,
    1. II Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
    2. II Peter 1:21 “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
      - God is the author.
        
        And the words written here in Galatians is as important as the words written in red in the Gospels. They have the same athority.
        
        And we should give them the same respect and weight in our lives.
Who Were the Galatians?
1. The Country of Galatia,
  1. The Roman Province,
    1. The region that was known as Galatia is located around modern day Turkey.
      - North of Israel, east of Romania, Italy, Greece, south of the black sea.
      - The are was occupied from people who migrated from, Europe, specifically speaking the area around Scotland,
        
        lets put it this way, who speaks with a Gaelic dialect?
      - The name Galatia is also interchangeable with Celts.
    2. So this region was know as Galatia,
2. The Churches of Galatia,
  1. Not one, but many churches,
    1. we/ I tend to think some of the letters written to churches in the NT, were written to a single church and then was passed around to others,
      - but, this letter was supposed to go to several churches.
    2. To name a few of the churches:
      - 13:13 Perga, 13:14 Antioch, 13:51 Iconium, 14:6 Lystra & Derbe, 14:25 Attalia
        
        it tells us there were other places they preached, but his is the trail recorded in the bible.
What Were the Topics of Galatians?
1. A Study in Christian Liberty,
  1. The Magna Carta of Christian Liberty,
    1. Dr. James Boice (bible study hour radio broadcast) (Senior Minister of Philadelphia’s historic Tenth Presbyterian Church )“For it rightly maintains that only through the grace of God in Jesus Christ is a person enabled to escape the curse of his sin and of the law and to live a new life, not in bondage or license, but in a genuine freedom of mind and spirit through the power of God.”
    2. the book of Galatians will cover many sub topics concerning this,
  2. Address Doctrinal Errors,
    1. 1:6 “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.”
      - On this point I would like us to read in preparation for next week:
      - Read: Acts 13&14, this is Paul’s first missionary trip.
        
        Pay special attention to verses like 13:45 “But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. ” & 14:2 “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.”
  3. A Quick outline of Galatians:
    1. Personal: Grace and the Gospel, Ch.1&2
    2. Doctrinal: Grace and the Law, Ch.3&4
    3. Practical: Grace and the Christian Life, Ch.5&6
  4. Key Verse: 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.”
When was the book of Galatians Written,

Next week we begin Galatians:

Homework: Read Acts 13&14; and Galatians 1.