Galatians - The Constitution of Christian Liberty - PREFACE

Galatians: The Constitution of Christian Liberty - PREFACE

The epistle to the Galatians has been called the cornerstone of the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther, the reformer, referred to it as his wife. It has also been known as "the Constitution of Christian Liberty."

The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia around a.d. 49. Legalistic Jews had infiltrated the churches, denouncing Paul's apostleship and message. As a result many Galatians turned away from the gospel of grace. The Judaizers taught that Christians were subject to the law of Moses, and that their salvation was dependent upon obedience to the law. They emphasized the rite of circumcision as a condition of salvation.

Paul wrote to defend his apostleship, deliver the Galatians from the bondage and curse of the law, and declare positively the liberating doctrine of God's grace and Spirit. The emphasis of this letter is justification by faith and Christian liberty.

Today many churches have fallen into the error of the Galatians. They are suffering the consequences of a perverted gospel of works, which in reality is no gospel at all. As a result religion has become void of reality. Ritual is more important than righteousness, and the reciting of a creed has replaced faith in the cross.

Before continuing please read the entire epistle to the Galatians at one sitting. The following outline may be of some assistance in providing you with an overview of the book.

AN OUTLINE

Introduction. 1:1-9.
The Apostle of Christian Liberty. 1:10-2:21.
- Paul's Revelation of Christ. 1:10-17.
- Paul's Reception by the Churches. 1:18-24.
- Paul's Approval by the Apostles. 2:1-10.
- Paul's Rebuke of Peter. 2:11-21.
The Doctrine of Christian Liberty. 3:1-4:31.
- Seven Arguments. 3:1-4:7.
- An Appeal. 4:8-20.
- An Allegory. 4:21-31.
The Life of Christian Liberty. 5:1-6:17.
- The Call. 5:1-26.
- The Challenge. 6:1-17.
- Closing Benediction. 6:18.

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty
by which Christ has made us free,
and do not be entangled again
with a yoke of bondage."
Galatians 5:1.

Lesson One: An Introduction to Christian Liberty - Galatians 1

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