The First-Century Church The Churches in Galatia -- Fickle and Unstable
Introduction:
1. The New Testament contains a
tremendous amount of information that was written "to" and
"about" various congregations in the first century.
2. This information is both positive
and negative.
3. By examining this information we
can learn the Lord's will for His church today.
4. This lesson is a study of the
churches in Galatia.
a. These congregations are mentioned
in 1 Corinthians 16:1.
b. The apostle Paul also wrote a
letter to these congregations [Galatians].
c. Galatians indicates that these
congregations were somewhat fickle and unstable in that they were following a
perverted gospel. Discussion:
I.
(Galatians
1:6-9) PAUL REBUKED
THE CHURCHES IN
GALATIA
A. These churches had turned from
the Gospel that Paul preached.
1. Paul had been made an apostle by
the Lord (Galatians 1:1).
2. The Gospel Paul preached had been
revealed to him by the Lord (Galatians 1:11-12).
3. The true Gospel plays a key role
in salvation (Romans 1:16-17).
B. These churches had turned to a
perverted gospel.
1. In our study of the Jerusalem
church we showed how certain teachers were binding circumcision and the Law of
Moses on Gentile converts (Acts 15:1, 5).
2. Although this issue was settled
in Jerusalem, these teachers continued spreading their doctrine in various
areas, including Galatia.
3. Paul said that these teachers
were "accursed."
4. What would be the spiritual
condition of those who followed their teaching?
II.
REASONS WHY
THE CHURCHES IN
GALATIA WERE NOT
TO FOLLOW THESE ACCURSED TEACHERS
A. (Galatians 3:1-5) Who gave the
Spirit to the members of the Galatian churches -- Paul or the accursed teachers?
1. The apostles could lay hands on
Christians and give them a miraculous measure of the Holy Spirit (Acts
8:14-17).
2. As an apostle, Paul had this
power (Acts 19:6).
3. The accursed teachers had no such
power.
B. (Galatians 3:19-25) The Law of
Moses had served its purpose.
C. (Galatians 3:26-29) People now
become children of God by following Christ -- not Moses.
D. (Galatians 4:4-5) Christ came to
redeem those who were under the Law of Moses.
1. Ephesians 2:14-18
2. Colossians 2:10-14
E. (Galatians 5:1-4) Those who seek
to be justified by the Law of Moses "are
fallen from grace."
F. (Galatians 6:15) Physical
circumcision is no longer important -- being a new creature is (Romans 6:3-4). Conclusion:
1. The churches in Galatia made the
mistake of following a perverted gospel.
2. In restoring the Lord's church
today, we must remain true to His Word (John 8:31-32).
3. The Lord's true followers will
not change His Word in any way (Revelation 22:18-19).
4. Let us carefully examine the
doctrines we are taught (1 John 4:1).
