Don R. Taaffe, Gospel preacher, Dunedin, Florida 11/22/2009

1. The churches of Christ in the New Testament 7 of 17“church in Galatia”Galatians 1:6-10Acts 13:51-14:7 Don R. Taaffe, Gospel preacher, Dunedin, Florida 11/22/2009

2. Galatians 1:6-10 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — 7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed! 10 Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (NRSV)

3. Acts 13:51-14:7 51 So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. 1 The same thing occurred in Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them. 4 But the residents of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 5 And when an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 the apostles learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; 7 and there they continued proclaiming the good news. (NRSV)

4. Origin of Lord’s church The church in Antioch The church in Colosse The church in Corinth The church in Crete The church in Ephesus The church in Galatia The church in Jerusalem The church in Laodicea The church in Pergamum The church in Philadelphia The church in Philippi The church in Rome The church in Sardis The church in Smyrna The church in Thessalonica The church in Thyatira The church in Dunedin? churches of Christ in the New Testament – 17 Lessons

5. The Region of Galatia “Galatia” was a name used both geographically and politically in the first century after Christ - ISBE “Geographically,” it was used to describe the northern part of central plateau of Asia minor - ISBE “Politically,” it designated a large province of the Roman empire, included parts of Pontus, Phrygia and Lycaonia, i.e., more southern regions of central Asia Minor - ISBE Both Peter and Paul most likely had reference to “politically,” (a Roman province of Galatia 35 B.C.)

6. The Region of Galatia Four churches of Galatia according to Luke: Derbe, Lystra, Tarus, and Iconium. (Maybe “Antioch”) About 278 years before Christ, the Gauls (Galatia in Greek) came from Europe, an took power in what became known as Galatia. They were very aristocracy, clung stubbornly to their own Celtic religions, tongue, were proud, even boastful, and independent. These new churches started quickly, unlikely they were Gauls.

7. \Pisidia Acts 13:6 – 20:38

8. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCHES IN GALATIA Under the leading of the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Paul had been separated for the work of evangelizing new territories by the congregations of the Lord at Antioch Syria ( Acts 13:1) During their first missionary journey (45-47 A.D.), Paul and Barnabas had the opportunity to establish several churches in the Roman province of Galatia (Acts 13:14-14:23) On Paul's second trip (51-54 A.D.), he and Silas visited them again – (Acts 16:1-5) On Paul's third trip (54-58 A.D.), he visited them yet again (Acts 18:23)

9. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCHES IN GALATIA It is quite likely that the churches of Galatia included those established on his first journey, E.g., Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Tarsus, (Acts 16:1-6) Paul’s reception Iconium it was no less exciting and tumultuous. (Acts 14:1-7) In Lystra, they were met by a man crippled from birth, healed through Paul by the Holy Spirit, and had to reject being worshiped – (Acts 14:8-15)

10. PROBLEMS IN PARADISE OR IN CHURCHES OF GALATIA Galatians 1:6-9 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — 7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed! (NRSV) Galatians 4:17 17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you may make much of them. (NRSV) Galatians 6:13 13 Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh.(NRSV) The presence of Judaizers in the church: Paul opens his Epistle with a strongly worded warning against anyone who would preach a gospel contrary to that which the Galatians had originally received – Galatians 1:6-9 This was a real problem in the church, Judaizers (unnamed teachers)raising themselves –Galatians 4:17 Wishing to boast that the Gentiles had been circumcised –Galatians 6:13

11. PROBLEMS IN PARADISE OR IN CHURCHES OF GALATIA Acts 15:1 1 Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved (NRSV) Galatians 1 1 Paul an apostle — sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead — (NRSV) Galatians 5:4 4 You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. (NRSV) The presence of Judaizers in the church: These Judaizers also wanted the Gentiles the keep the law of Moses –Acts 15:1 Paul recognized this doctrine would jeopardize the salvation of those souls who accepted it – Galatians 5:4 These enemies of the Gospel of Christ try to undermine Paul’s authority as an apostle – Galatians 1:1

12. A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIA Paul’s defense of his apostleship – Galatians chapter one and two: His introduction and warning of the Judaizing teachers – (Galatians 1:1-10) The divine origin of his gospel – (Galatians 1:11-17) His relationship to the other apostles – (Galatians 1: 18 - 2:21)

13. A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIA Paul’s defense of the gospel of justification by faith – Galatians chapter three and four: Paul’s personal arguments – ( Galatians 3:1-5) Scriptural teaching as arguments – (Galatians 3:6-25) Practical teaching – (Galatians 3:26 – 4:7) Sentimental doctrines – (Galatians 4:8-20) The use of allegory’s – (Galatians 4:21-31)

14. A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIA Paul’s calls for the church to stand fast in the liberty of the gospel – Galatians chapter five and six: Liberty that excludes circumcision – (Galatians 5:1-6) Liberty that fulfilled the law of Moses – (Galatians 5:7-15) Liberty to be led by the spirit and a sense of responsibility – (Galatians 5:16- 6:10) Conclusion – (Galatians 6:11-18)

15. THE EPISTLE CONFIRMS THE CHURCH Why should I believe the “church of Christ” is the right church according to the New Testament ???

16. THE EPISTLE CONFIRMS THE CHURCH Today, we prove: New Testament worship is what is acceptable in God’s eyes today And Why Old Testament worship is not needed today

17. WE ARE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH IN CHRIST, NOT THE OLD LAW Galatians 3:17 17 My point is this: the law, which came four hundred thirty years later, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. (NRSV) Galatians 3:19 19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring would come to whom the promise had been made; and it was ordained through angels by a mediator. (NRSV) Galatians 3:27 27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (NRSV) Galatians 4:21 21 Tell me, you who desire to be subject to the law, will you not listen to the law? (NRSV) Galatians 6:14 14 May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (NRSV) Five easy points to believe: 1. The Old law serve its purpose – Gal. 3:19 2. We are NEVER justified by the Old law – Gal. 3:17 3. People will practice parts of the Old law – (Ignorantly and willfully) – Gal. 4:21 4. We should worship and glorify ONLY in the cross of Christ – Gal. 6:14 5. We are saved by baptism in Christ – Gal. 3:27

18. Galatians 5:1-6 1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law. 4 You who want to be justified by the law have cut your- selves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love. (NRSV) Galatians 3:10-12 10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law." 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law; for "The one who is righteous will live by faith." 12 But the law does not rest on faith; on the contrary, "Whoever does the works of the law will live by them.“ (NRSV) WE ARE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH IN CHRIST, NOT THE OLD LAW Not justified in a cursed law which never brought salvation Galatians 3:10 –12 If you keep one part of the law, you have to keep it all – but it still will never justify! Galatians 5:1–6

19. WHY DO WE FIND, SINGING AND PLAYING TO GOD Colossians 3:16 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. (NRSV) Ephesus 5:19 19 as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, (NRSV) Only in the Old Testament? – 1 Chronicles 13:1-14 (25:1-8) How do we worship today? Ephesians 5:19 – Colossians 3:16 Melody in our hearts – teaching – admonishing – praising – using the words of the Psalmist

20. SUMMARY: WHY DID THIS CHANGE IN THE NEW LAW? • Because people became Idol and Sang VAINLY under the Old law • Amos 6: 5 • Because the Old law was by no means a perfect law • Hebrews 8: 7, 8,13 • Because Christ is the End of the law • Romans 10:4-5

21. SUMMARY:WE LEARNED THAT WORSHIP AND GLORY ARE IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST! • Galatians 4:21-31 “Free from Bondage” • Galatians 5:16-26 “Walk in spirit NOT law” • Galatians 6:11-16 “Glory only in the cross”

22. SUMMARY: WE ARE SAVED IN CHRIST THROUGH BAPTISM • Galatians 3:26-27 • 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. 27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (NRSV) • (Not before baptized) • (But in baptism)