Tag Archives: fellowship

Galatians Bible Class, Part 52: Hearers Share with Their Pastor

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Class #52:  Galatians 6:6 is included in Luther’s Small Catechism in the Table of Duties for “What the Hearers Owe Their Pastors.” St. Paul tells the hearer, who is being taught the Word by the teacher, to share (koinoneito) all good things with his teacher.  The word “share” is much more than simply giving someone a bite of your sandwich.  This word refers to our Christian fellowship, communion, and participation with each other in the Word (Phil 4:14ff).

St. Paul is continuing to teach the true life of sanctification, as opposed to the vainglorious who provoke and envy in their conceit. Having received salvation as a gift through faith in Christ, we walk by the Spirit. In our vocation as a hearer, we share with our pastor in all good things.

Overhead: Overheads for Class 52
Handout: Galatians Bible Study Chapter 5 26 thru 6 10

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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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