Author Archive: mdhauz

Galatians Bible Study, Pt. 14: Practice and Doctrine

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Class #14:  St. Peter had been taught by a revelation (Acts 10-11) that “God does not show favoritism” and “everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”  Later Peter had proclaimed that same Gospel message at the Apostolic Council (Acts 15:7-11) which Sts. Barnabas, Titus and Paul had attended (Galatians 2:11-21).  The Jerusalem church leaders gave Paul and the Antiochian delegation “the right hand of fellowship” (Gal 2:9), which means they had the same teaching and practice.

In today’s reading from Galatians 2:11ff, St. Paul needed to call St. Peter back to the truth of the gospel.  When the circumcision party showed up, St. Peter fearing to displease them, changed his practice to reflect their teaching that a person must believe AND observe the law to be saved.  The correction was public because Barnabas and the Jews were being led astray from the truth of the gospel.

There are three Scriptural uses for the law.  The law serves as (1) a curb to restrain the sinful nature, as a (2) mirror to convict man of his sins, and as (3) a guide to show how a believer is to live in thanking his God.  The law is not used as a means for acquiring salvation.

Overhead:  galatians-class-14-overhead

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Galatians Bible Study, Pt. 13: The Truth of the Gospel

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Class #13:  When it comes to “the truth of the gospel” (Galatians 2:5, 2:14, 3:1) St. Paul is not willing to budge even a little.  In matters of life and weakness, he shows forth great love and bears all things(1 Cor 13:7).  He was not critical of St. Peter eating with the Gentiles (2:12), for even St. Paul himself said, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” (1 Cor 9:22).  However, when it comes to the truth of the gospel–that man is saved faith in Jesus Christ without the works of the law–he stands firm. To admit any law requirements into the teaching of how man is saved (declared righteous, justified) is to have “another gospel” (1:9).  When the truth of the gospel is at stake, no human office is to be respected(2:6), “we must obey God, rather than man” (Acts 5:29)

Overhead: galatians-class-13-overhead

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Galatians Bible Study, Pt. 12: St. Paul Swears

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Class #12: In Gal. 1:20, St. Paul swears for the sake of the Gospel (Heb 6:16).  He transitions from his defense of his immediate divine call to a defense of the content of “the faith” (Gal. 1:23)—“the truth of the gospel” (2:5).  The gospel which St. Paul preached among the Gentiles was presented to the leaders in Jerusalem both privately and publicly when he went to the Apostolic Council recorded in Acts 15.  They were in complete agreement with St. Paul.  Furthermore, regarding the test case of his companion, the gentile Titus, they did not require him to be circumcised.  Faith in Jesus Christ alone saves, apart from any requirements of the law.

Handout: Galatians-study-overhead-nov-27-2016

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Galatians Bible Study, Pt. 11: The Medium and the Message

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Class #11:  St. Paul defends both his apostolic office and the gospel message which he had preached to the Galatians.  The message of the gospel is that man is saved by grace through faith alone apart from works.  The ultimate proof that salvation is apart from any merit or worthiness in man is the Scriptural teaching of God’s eternal foreknowledge and election.  (See Handout on Election.)

Similarly, even before his birth, St. Paul was predestined by God to serve as the Apostle to the Gentiles.  God’s eternal foreknowledge and election had determined “to reveal His Son” in St. Paul apart from any merit or worthiness in him.  When Galatians 1:15 says, “it pleased God,” those words show that it is the graciousness of God which is the cause of St. Paul conversion and his appointed mission to preach Jesus among the Gentiles.

God was not pleased with the faithless sacrifices of the Israelites(Ps 40:6-8), nor was He pleased with the unbelieving rabble(1 Cor 10:5).  However, the heavenly Father was well-pleased with the sacrifice of His Son (Mt 3:17, 17:5).  Furthermore, “God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe” (1 Cor 1:21).

Handout: Formula of Concord Ep XI

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Galatians Bible Study, Pt. 10

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Class #10:  The false judaizing prophets, who were troubling the Galatians, had denied St. Paul’s apostolic call and perverted the Gospel. St. Paul’s response was to defend his call and to intricately connect it with the true Gospel message. St. Paul was called immediately by Jesus (not by or through men) and the Gospel of salvation by grace through faith apart from works came “through the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

The Galatians are “brothers” in the faith, because they had received the the true Gospel taught by St. Paul.

Handout: Galatians Bible Study Handout-for-11-13-2016

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Galatians Bible Study, Pt. 9

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Class #9:  The work of a faithful pastor over many years can be ruined by a heretic so quickly.  Though we should rightly be concerned about falling into the gross outward sins(Jude 4) of immorality, there is a sneakier way in which we can fall away from the true Gospel.  In Galatians, the Judaizers are wanting the people to trust in Jesus AND the morality of their works righteousness(Acts 15:1ff).  When even one law requirement is added to the free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus, the Gospel is perverted and ceases to be the true Gospel.

The Holy Scriptures, which teach salvation by the Gospel apart from Law, are the norm by which the church and her teachers are judged.  St. Paul’s varying approach with regard to Timothy (Acts 16:1-3) and Titus (Galatians 2:3), makes it clear that circumcision is not necessary for salvation.  If St. Paul would give in to the Judaizer’s legalistic demands, he would be guilty of removing the offense of the cross (Galatians 5:1).

Handout: Galatians Bible Study Handout-for-11-6-2016

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Galatians Bible Study, Pt. 8

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Class #8:  St. Paul makes a distinction between the Galatians and the false teachers.  In attempting to restore (6:1) the people of the congregations, he is gentle even while he reveals their error.  However, when St. Paul speaks about the false teachers(1:9, 5:10, 5:12), he is rough and even condemning of those who are troubling the consciences of the Galatians.

Their error is two-pronged.  They have turned away from God Himself and the true Gospel, which is the good news about the forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ.

Handout: Galatians Bible Study Handout for 10-31-2016

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Galatians Bible Study, Pt. 7

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Class #7 :  The beginning(1:1-5) of St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians is a preview of his entire epistle.  He brings up his apostolic call, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Gospel message promising the blessings of the atonement, and the Father’s will that we believe the Gospel message.

Overheads: Galatians Overheads Class 7

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