Lesson 8 June 23, 2002

4. We are not condemned to a life of servitude but to freedom in Christ. Rom 8:2

- "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death."

(Rabbit trail)

Ø Rom 8:2 Expands on our new freedom

God has provided a means of deliverance.

The means for that deliverance, he calls here, the law of the Spirit of life.

- He has also done something else for us when we believed, and that is what Paul is emphasizing here, "has set us free from the law of sin and of death."

- Several significant things should be noted concerning Paul's statement in Romans 8:2.

1st Paul refers to two distinct laws:

The law of the Spirit of life and the law of sin and death.

The reason that the believer is not condemned to a life of servitude to the sin nature is that the enabling power of the Holy Spirit has set him free from the ruling power of the sin nature.

Back to Gal 2:4

What was their goal?

that they might bring us into bondage

Summary vs:4

1. Circumcision was not the initial issue or focal point of the meeting between Paul and the leadership of the Jerusalem church.

2. Some legalistic Jews infiltrated the meeting attempting to change the agenda.

3. If Paul and Barnabas, and the leadership of the Church acceded to the demands of these legalists and imposed circumcision on Titus what would be the result?

It would deny the fact that salvation was by faith alone in Christ alone and it would affirm that in addition to faith there must be obedience to the law for acceptance before God.

4. See here some of the characteristics of legalism:

5. Legalism directed towards believers always seeks to limit the freedom they had in Christ.

6. The legalists then, as now, are determined to reduce Christianity to a system of do's and don'ts. The ministry of the Spirit in their life is foreign to them.

- Rem: Christianity is a relationship, empowered by the H/S as He illuminates the Word in us, which Word then motivates us to loving obedience to the will of God.

2:5 Paul's response to the False Brethren

But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

Purpose for standing firm

so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

2:6-10 Paul's independence at Jerusalem

After completing the confrontation with the false brethren, the legalists, Paul resumes his narrative, relating some more details of the meeting with the apostles and leadership of the Church.

The Other Apostles did not Contribute Anything to Paul 2:6

But from those who were of high reputation i.e. Peter, John, (apostles) and James

(what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)--

Then he states clearly: well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me.

What's the point here?

The gospel was given to me fully and accurately, and the apostles had nothing whatsoever to add to it.

Recognition and Confirmation of the Ministry of Paul 2:7-10

But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised

seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel

What is being stated here is the conclusion that the leadership made. That to Paul was committed the responsibility of taking the Gospel of grace to the Gentiles while Peter to the Jews.

2:8 Parenthesis confirmation of their conclusion in vs:7

This is a real blow to the legalists

(for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles),

Who is the one being referred to here?

2:9 Another motive for approval Read!

They also recognized God's seal of approval on both men in their respective ministries.

and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

2:10 Request made of Paul

They only asked us to remember the poor-- the very thing I also was eager to do.

- these gifts would have a great impact in promoting unity between Gentile and Jewish believers, that there is concern for one another in Christ.

Summary 2:7-10

1. The real praise for their function in their roles as apostles, or pastors (leadership) goes to the Holy Spirit, who not only indwells but gives the spiritual gifts to each one and is the operational power through the Word.

2. Its possible that the legalists, the Judaizers now plaguing the Galatian believers, had previously claimed Apostolic approval for their position. [obvious they didn't since there was a major difference.]

3. Paul in this paragraph is challenging the Galatians to check the facts, check out the truth.

4. The leadership in Jerusalem by extending the right hand of fellowship to Paul, Barnabas and Titus have recognized the divine source of their gospel message and Paul's apostolic office.