Ep. #02 "GALATIANS 1-2" [Series: PAUL'S LETTERS]

Episode: Paul’s Letters Series No. 02 Narrator: Eunice Primary Scriptures: Galatians 1-2 Story Summary: Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia Location: Roman Empire; Galatia Time: AD 30 Jesus crucified and resurrected; Pentecost; Holy Spirit arrives AD 48 Paul’s “famine visit” to Jerusalem; First Missionary Journey starts AD 50 Council at Jerusalem; Start of Second Missionary Journey; approximate time of the writing of Galatians. Suggested Memory Scriptures: Galatians 1:4, 9; 2:20-21 This episode assumes Galatians was written in about 50 AD, though many scholars believe it was written a few years later. The difference in the date might have some impact on how certain things in the letter are interpreted. For most of its first decade of existence, Christianity was essentially a sect of Judaism. Virtually all Christians were Jewish and continued to follow the laws of Moses as best they could. As non-Jews became Christians, many of the Jewish Christians insisted that they follow the laws of Moses, too, including circumcision for the men; the Council of Jerusalem in about 49-50 AD concluded that non-Jewish Christians did not have to follow the laws of Moses. On his Second Missionary Journey, Paul took a letter from the council showing their conclusion. These Jewish Christians, also called “Judaizers,” chose not to go quietly. Some of them continued to push the subject in totality, while others chose to teach other precepts in addition to the Gospel that Paul taught. False teachers, including the Judaizers, would plague Paul for his entire ministry. They not only taught things in opposition to the Gospel, but they also continually challenged Paul’s authority to determine what messages should be taught. Non- Jewish Christians were new believers, the New Testament had not yet been written, and the non-Jews had little knowledge of the Old Testament, so many of Paul’s letters contain much on Paul’s defense of his authority as an apostle, condemnation for those who are in opposition to him, and statements concerning the nature of the Gospel. Galatians is written to the churches in Galatia, most of which Paul and Barnabas started on their First Missionary Journey. It must have been terribly disappointing to Paul that these churches questioned his authority and teachings. Most of the first two chapters of Galatians are spent defending and establishing his authority and teachings. The famous verses in Galatians 2:19-21 work as a transition to other chapters which contain some of Paul’s most insightful teachings. Discussion Questions: 1. Acts 15 is an account of the Council of Jerusalem. Summarize the outcome of that meeting. 2. How did the people in Galatia differ from the people in Jerusalem? 3. What churches in Galatia did Paul establish on his First Missionary Journey? How well did he know the people there? 4. In the first two chapters of Galatians, Paul emphasizes the validity of his teachings and of his apostleship. Why does he do so? 5. Paul says that Titus was not required to be circumcised. Yet, Paul later circumcises Timothy (Acts 16:3). Why the difference? *1. Non-Jewish Christians did not have to follow the laws of Moses and the Jewish traditions. 2. The people in Jerusalem were Jewish, knew the Old Testament, and were used to being God’s people. The people in Galatia were typically non-Jewish, used to worshiping Roman and local gods, and accustomed to Roman ways. 3. Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. He probably spent only a few weeks at those places, but he surely made some good friends while there. However, when Paul’s opponents came to teach differently, it must have been hard for the people to know who to believe. 4. False teachers had come to Galatia teaching things different than Paul had taught. Paul was forced to convince them that they should listen to him, not to the false teachers. It is possible that they didn’t understand why being an apostle was that important. 5. Timothy had a Jewish mother and would qualify to teach in the synagogues if he was circumcised. He did it to take advantage of an opportunity to evangelize, not in order to become a Christian. Application Questions: 1. What can you do to become someone who is authoritative in what you say about Jesus? 2. Which is more important to you...what the Bible says about something or what popular opinion says? What sources do you use to determine what the Bible says? Who do you trust to help you learn about the Bible? 3. Are there teachings in the New Testament that you feel are no longer valid? Why do you feel that way? Does that feeling change the way you think about the Bible? Application Questions for Teens: 1. Who do you trust to help you determine what teachings are in the Bible? 2. Is every teaching in the New Testament still valid, or does the New Testament teach things that are no longer valid in modern society? 3. On virtually any topic, the Internet will have articles that conflict in their conclusions. How do you know which articles are useful to learn from and which should be ignored? Eyewitness Bible Series