Foundations for Christian Freedom - Unit 1

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Permalink Reply by Bob F on March 27, 2008 at 4:58pm

Sign me up for this study.

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Permalink Reply by Greg, TheNET Coordinator on March 28, 2008 at 12:57pm

You got it, bro! Thanks so much again for all your good work!

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Permalink Reply by David on March 27, 2008 at 10:36pm

1. Read Galatians 1:1-10. Who wrote this letter? (See Galatians 1:1)
Paul
2. What does the author say about himself? (See Galatians 1:1)
he is an apostle of Christ
3. To whom was this letter written? (See Galatians 1:2)
he is writing to the Church of Galatia
4. Where is Galatia? (See the maps in the back of your Bible.)

5. What does Paul say about God the Father and Jesus Christ in Galatians 1:1-5? about God that He raised Jesus from the Dead and to whom be the Glory forevermore, about Jesus that He gave Himself for our sins and deleivered us from this evil age by following the will of God our Father

6. What had the Galatians done that bothered Paul? (See Galatians 1:6-7)
they are turning away from Christ for false doctrine
7. “Gospel” means “good news.” According to Galatians 1:6-10, how many true gospels are there? 1 the gospel of Christ Jesus. To us it is the Bible

8. If someone or an organization teaches a different gospel, what will happen to them unless they repent? (See Galatians 1:8-9) Does this surprise you? What do you think this word means according to the Bible? that they will be accursed

9. Should we please God or people when the truth of the gospel is at stake? Why? (See Galatians 1:6-10) God for we are to preach the gospel of Christ to the World, to please God, and not the false doctrines of man for they are lies

10. Are you absolutely certain that what you believe is the true gospel? If so, what makes you sure? YES, for Christ abides in my Heart

11. Suppose you should discover in your study of Galatians that the true gospel is different from what you have been taught. What does this text say about those who taught you a different gospel?that they are accursed.

12. Suppose you should discover that you have been involved with a person or a group that teaches a different gospel. What should we do to avoid the curse Paul pronounced? pass on the true Gospel of Christ to all even unto death if need be.

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Permalink Reply by Greg, TheNET Coordinator on March 28, 2008 at 12:57pm

Thanks for joining this study, David, and reflecting on these questions!

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Permalink Reply by Rachel on March 28, 2008 at 7:43am

The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the region of Galatia (which is in Asia). He lists his credentials, despite the fact that he was a highly educated Roman citizen, as coming from God the father through the death and ressurection of Jesus Christ. He also states that the knowledge that he was attempting to pass on to these believers was not the type of learning that came from an exterior source, but that this knowledge was a revelation of the person of God within himself, knowledge that God had imparted to him. Galatians was a circular letter, it wasn't written to an individual, but to an audience of local assemblies of believers (churches). It was meant to bring correction to a problem that Paul was made aware of. Some within these local congregations were adding parts of the law, that was still a very dominant religious view, to the ideals of salvation through faith, merited not by our works but by our belief (faith). They weren't taking anything away from the "good news" that Paul had preached, but they were attempting to attatch ceremonial works and traditional ovservances to the message, therefore negating this new found freedom. In trying to make the people more "right" with God, they were changing the focus. The were going back to the premise of doing right things to be accepted as holy rather than living out righteousness that was already obtained through Christ's sacrifice and given freely to them. I think that Paul's real frustration was not so much that they had been deceived, but that when they realized that they had been led astray, they didn't turn immediately from it. No one likes correction, Paul was not in a popular position. When we are told that we are doing something wrong as Christians, it seems like it's much harder to put aside the confusion that we may have accidently walked in and embrace what seems to be in opposition to what we've been doing. I wonder if the faithful followers were more angry because they had been decieved, or because they themselves had mistakenly believed the false doctrines. I'm sure that there were many who got that sinking feeling inside when they realized the error they had engaged in. As usual, God in His grace gave both the perpetrators and the victims an opportunity to repent and turn back to Him, leaving also the ultimatum that those who would not turn away, would be accursed.
As we learn to walk in the spirit, there will be times when everyone around us will seem to be doing what is right, but deep within us our spirits feel uneasy or uncomfortable about things that no one else is opposing. It can be a scary thing to follow the leadership of Holy Spirit in the midst of everyone else's acceptance, I think this is something that truly broke Paul's heart. These people had been exposed to the supernatural work of Jesus Christ, they had enough understanding of the nature of God to stay on-track, but in thier humanity, they had unwittingly been decieved. In repentance, God was able to restore them to His will and plan.

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Permalink Reply by Greg, TheNET Coordinator on March 28, 2008 at 12:56pm

Rachel, love the way you put this. Thanks for the insights!

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Permalink Reply by angie on March 28, 2008 at 4:47pm

1. Read Galatians 1:1-10. Who wrote this letter? (See Galatians 1:1)Paul is the author

2. What does the author say about himself? (See Galatians 1:1)Hes an apostle sent through Jesus Christ and God the Father

3. To whom was this letter written? (See Galatians 1:2)the churches in Galatia

4. Where is Galatia? (See the maps in the back of your Bible.)map in back of Bible

5. What does Paul say about God the Father and Jesus Christ in Galatians 1:1-5?Jesus Christ gave Himself up for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age according to the will of God the Father.

6. What had the Galatians done that bothered Paul? (See Galatians 1:6-7)They were deserting God who called them by the grace of Jesus Christ for a different gospel.

7. “Gospel” means “good news.” According to Galatians 1:6-10, how many true gospels are there? There is only one true gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

8. If someone or an organization teaches a different gospel, what will happen to them unless they repent? (See Galatians 1:8-9) Does this surprise you? What do you think this word means according to the Bible? They will be accursed. It does not suprise me.
9. Should we please God or people when the truth of the gospel is at stake? Why? (See Galatians 1:6-10)God. Because I am a bondservant of Christ.

10. Are you absolutely certain that what you believe is the true gospel? If so, what makes you sure? 100% sure. I recieved it as a revelation of Jesus Christ. God called me through His grace.

11. Suppose you should discover in your study of Galatians that the true gospel is different from what you have been taught. What does this text say about those who taught you a different gospel? They will be accursed.

12. Suppose you should discover that you have been involved with a person or a group that teaches a different gospel. What should we do to avoid the curse Paul pronounced? turn back to the One Truth the Gospel of Jesus Christ

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Permalink Reply by Callie on March 29, 2008 at 6:36am

Ultimately God says He sent his son Jesus to die for our sins and that any other who says other is wrong. We as God's children are appointed in knowing the true gospel and to teach those who have it wrong about the truth and to get them to repent and to be saved. We are not born into this world for other people and for their pleasing. It is for the Lord we were brought into this world and for HIM we shall live. Be pleasing to him in all we do. Acknowledge him in all we do and say. Now we have to spread the true good news to those who are unaware or incorrect. God is our direction and guidance, Look to him in all our needs and not to people. I am so thankful for the Lord and what He has created in me, that I am aware of the good news.

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Permalink Reply by Roz on March 29, 2008 at 9:38am

The letter was written by Paul to the churches of Galatia. He reminds them that he was sent by God in the name of Jesus Christ, who had died to save us from our sins. He tells them that they have been listening to the wrong gospel and following the teachings of men rather than those of God. He reminds them that there is only one gospel - that of Jesus Christ our Lord and anyone who preaches a different gospel is not telling the truth and will be condemned to hell forever along with anyone who listens and doesn't repent.

He later reminds them how empty their lives were before they heard the true gospel and asks if they really want to return to that sorry state.

Was this really written 2000 years ago? Seems to me that it is just as relevant today as when it was written. Do you agree?

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Permalink Reply by Rachel on March 29, 2008 at 1:11pm

An eternal truth can only come from an eternal God, it's amazing how relevant God's Word is today, afterall Jesus Christ is the same, yesturday, today and forever!

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Permalink Reply by Greg, TheNET Coordinator on April 1, 2008 at 11:17am

Yes, it really was written 2000 years ago! I absolutely agree. God's Word is timeless because even though circumstances have changed, the problems of humanity have stayed the same.

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Permalink Reply by Joyce Hicks on March 29, 2008 at 2:25pm

I live in a mobilehome park and there are several people here who are member's of a false religion,but praise God he has put them in my life and enabled me to show them the truth through his word.Infact one was baptized last summer by my pastor. Every time one comes up with questions God leads me to the scripture that pertains to what their asking about. I've been told that one lady thinks I'm to religious. I'm not religious I have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus and you bet I will proclaim his name and his truth to everyone I meet. It breaks my heart to see all the deceit and lies that people are falling for in this day and age,but then it's the signs of the times we live in.God"s word tells us this is just one of the things that will be happening before our Lord Jesus returns. Thank God for allowing me to be just one of his messenger's of the truth. God Bless Joyce

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