Expert: Rev. Frank Ricketts - 8/12/2006

Question
A couple ?'s:
1.) Why is the epistle to the Galatians of such permanent value?
2.) Can you give from scripture an example of a preacher who was punished for perverting the Word og God?
These two ?'s in a Bible study that I am doing have me a bit baffled...appreciate your time in responding back...thank you.

Answer
   Galatians is a relatively short epistle but powerful, both in style and content. Galatia is probably used in the official sense of the term (Gal. 1: 2). If so, Galatia was a Roman Province. Lystra, Iconium, Pisidia, and Derbe were part of Galatia (Acts 13-16). Galatians is one of Paul's epistles (Gal. 1: 1). Galatians was originally addressed to "the churches of Galatia" (Gal. 1: 2). These were not different denominations because denominations, as such, did not exist (I Cor. 4: 17; Eph. 4: 4, 5).
   The basic design of Galatians. False teachers who sought to bind the Law of Moses for the purpose of salvation were causing many problems in these churches (Gal. 3: 1-5; 4: 21-31). These errorists were zealous and effective (Gal. 4: 16, 17, 3: 1). Paul chides and challenges these men (Gal. 5: 7, 9, 4; 4: 20). Rather than deal with their doctrinal differences, these men sought to personally attack Paul (Gal. 1: 10-24, 6: 17). Paul boldly taught that the Law of Moses was not binding and that those who sought justification thereby were fallen from grace (Gal. 5: 2-4). Those who perverted Jesus' gospel had the curse of God upon them, Paul explained (Gal. 1: 6-9).
   The value of Galatians today. The book of Galatians is very important. This short book probably proclaims the essentiality of the gospel and the avoidance of changing or perverting it more than any other book (length considered, Gal. 1: 6-9). Plainer teaching regarding the abrogation or end of the Law of Moses cannot be found anywhere (see Gal. 4 and 5). In this book, Paul mentions the Abrahamic promise fulfillment and showed these promises as stated about 4,000 years before were found in Christ (Gen. 12: ff. cp. Gal. 3).
   It is in Galatians that we have complete teaching about the lusts of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5: 19 ff.). Galatians, in short, exalts Jesus' gospel.
   Consider the story found in Acts 5 about Ananias and Sapphira. Since they had received the Holy Ghost and all people that receive the Holy Ghost are in effect ministers, it is a good example of ministers and the Word of God.

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