Preface to Galatians

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Audio (2:10)

Free E-mail Bible Study Bible study Grace: Favor for the Undeserving

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It's amazing how many so-called Christians don't really "get it." They think that the basis of Christianity is living a good moral life and doing good works. And, so long as you don't mess up your life entirely, you'll end up in heaven. And, oh yes, Jesus died for our sins, whatever that means.

Paul's Letter to the Galatians deals with this kind of shallow understanding head-on. He had won the Galatians to Christ, and then taught them more about Christ on his subsequent missions.

But now Paul hears that some Jewish-Christians have come to the churches and begun to convince these Gentile believers that they can't be saved unless they're circumcised and keep the Mosaic Law. What's more, these false teachers have undermined Paul's reputation. His ministry with these churches is in shambles. But what's even worse is that these new Christians are about to go backwards -- from faith in Christ to faith in law-keeping.

As you study Galatians, you'll begin to understand clearly what the core of the gospel is all about. Galatians, after all, helped Martin Luther come to the conviction that we are saved by faith alone. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, came into spiritual life ("my heart was strangely warmed") as he read Luther's preface to his commentary on Galatians.

Galatians: Discipleship Lessons, by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Available in paperback and e-book formats

Galatians is also known for explaining what must substitute for the law -- learning to walk by the Spirit and bear the fruit of the Spirit.

It is my prayer that as you study this foundational letter, you'll be blessed and encouraged.

Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Loomis, California
January 20, 2012

Galatians Bible Study: Discipleship Lessons

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Copyright © 2022, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.

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