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The Gospel in Galatians – Introduction — 7 Comments

  1. "From start to finish in the Christian life, the basis of our salvation is faith in Christ alone. It was because of Abraham’s faith in God’s promises that he was counted as righteous, and that same gift of righteousness is available for anyone today who shares Abraham’s faith". (5th lesson - Friday 28th).
    Which of the two - should be the basis of our LEGAL RIGHTEOUSNESS - our faithfulness, or Gods faithfulness?

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  2. An in depth study, based upon known astronomy and upon the best available original Scriptures, shows that Paul's letter to the Galatians was written in Rome beginning shortly prior to Paul's final stand before Caesar Nero, at which time he was set free. That Epistle to the Galatians was then completed shortly after he was released out of those bonds...

    To me, that timing relative to Paul's own very intense experience is a most significant fact indeed. Having had similar experiences myself, I know very well how one's mind is, at such times, very intently focused upon specific issues pertaining to that particular law under which one is bound! It is only too obvious to me that, at the time of his writing his letter to the Galatians, Paul was very much focusing upon such things as had to do with Roman law, that is, a prominent law written by men.

    Additionally I'd like to mention that, although most scholars are likely to continue for a long time yet to pooh pooh my very solidly anchored New Testament chronology, which puts conventional NT chronology consistently between five and twenty years off target, my findings indicate quite clearly that Paul's letter to the Galatians was - except for the Epistle to the Hebrews - the last of his NT Epistles, and that it was written, not in "A.D. 49" but in 45 CE. "The famous Jerusalem council..." of Acts 15, as best I can tell, took place in the fall of 39 CE, twenty years after the crucifixion...

    Gunnar Anders Smårs Jr © MD
    LLUSM Class of 78 A

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  3. "You're not saved by works, buy you're not going to heaven WITHOUT 'em." - SDA Pastor C. D. Brooks. Thought the Introduction's need to clarify what constitutes legalism was unnecessary. Ellen G. White wrote something that truly defines the age in which the Church finds itself in: "Love is dwelt upon as the chief attribute of God, but it is degraded to a weak sentimentalism, making little distinction between good and evil." Remember, "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land; But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it]. - Isaiah 1:19,20

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  4. Kevin, First of all I think that everyone would benefit greatly if would give the reference information for the quote which is “The Great Controversy”, p 558. The subject of the discussion in which the quote is found is on spiritualism and how it has changed into a more deceptive danger because it no longer denies Christ or the Bible but embraces them both but with some changes as the quote states.

    The fact is that we can’t get into heaven based on our works because they are constantly faulty and in violation to God’s law in one way or another (Ref. Jer 13:23, Rom 3:9-20). Since everyone is basically a sinner by nature the question boils down to how we are saved under those circumstances.

    Assuming that everyone wants to live for ever and would like to live in a paradise and that they all have faith that Christ will get them there the question is over exactly who gets to go there.

    I think everyone would agree that a person that enjoys murdering people shouldn’t be there or one who takes great pride in cheating people out of what they have worked so hard for. But what about the person that deviates just a little bit from a law for the sake of personal expediency, like driving faster than you should in order to get to an appointment? You see the judgment is really over your attitude in respect to proper authority. If you would rebel over a little law would you do differently concerning a major one? This is where your law keeping comes in. You either have a correct attitude toward authority, especially God’s, or you don’t which makes you dangerous to save.

    Therefore you are saved by the gift of God because you can’t undo what you have done but you are judged by the relationship you demonstrate toward proper authority. You may have all the faith in the world but if you are a rebel in heart there no way the inhabitants of Heaven will allow you there irrespective of how much faith you have.

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