#183-G128 ~ Galatians 6:11-14
I begin with a comment about the fact that the apostle Paul’s gospel was not the same as the apostle Peter’s. Then I note some passages of Scripture that demonstrate that.
Romans 2:16
16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
2 Timothy 2:8
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
We then continue with Galatians 6:11
11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
Paul had an eyesight problem. This is one of the passages that tells us of Paul’s physical suffering.
Remember our study of Galatians 4:15
15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
Paul was blinded for 3 days on the Road to Damascus [Acts 9:9]
Because of his eyesight problem, Paul used others to write his other letters.
Romans 16:22
22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
Galatians 6 continued
12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Back then they were counting foreskins. Today it’s baptisms.
A common question among preachers— How many have you baptized this year?
The cross has abolished the place of circumcision and the Law. The same is true with water baptism.
Water baptism was never optional! It was always required for salvation.
Acts 2:36-38
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Galatians 6 continued…
13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law [perfectly]; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
The “glorying” here is bragging. These religious Jews [Judaizers] saw circumcising Gentiles as something to brag about. It made them appear as ones doing God’s will.
Acts 15:1-2
1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
This led up to “the Jerusalem Conference.”
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
Today preachers are often the same way about water baptisms.
People will even say that if you’re not willing to be baptized, you’re not really saved.
Galatians 6 continued…
14 But God forbid [ME GENOITO = may it never be] that I should glory [KAUCHAOMAI = glory or boast], save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Let’s look at the first part of this verse first. The cross does away with what went before—the Mosaic Law and all it’s ordinances.
Colossians 2:14
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Next, we see again WHEN this occurred.
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
I then introduce some question we’ll be addressing.
7 important questions:
Question: WHEN was the penalty paid for our sins? At the cross!
Question: Did God do this before or after you were saved?
Question: Does someone have to believe that for it to be true?
Question: If the penalty was paid, weren’t our sins then forgiven?
Question: Doesn’t the unbeliever have to believe that to get saved?
Question: What is our gospel [good news] message to the world?
Question: Why is our message to the world called “good news?”
We’ll continue with these questions next time.
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