By David Watson

Benchley, January 4, 2012

[Sorry, no audio for this lesson.  Sadly, the microphone died in the middle of class.]

• Galatians
• From the apostle Paul (Galatians 1:1)
• To the churches in Galatia (Galatians 1:2)
• They were deserting God and going to a different gospel (Galatians 1:6-9)!
• Galatians 5:1-13 – In what sense are Christians free?
• In this context, Christians are free from the law of Moses.
• Galatians 5:16-17 – Contrast between the flesh and the spirit.
• Galatians 5 – Is “spirit” here talking about man’s spiritual nature or the Holy Spirit?
• People disagree on this.
• If this is talking about a man’s spirit, is the passage teaching that a human’s spirit is allowed to follow its own path (cf. Jeremiah 10:23; Acts 26:9)? No!
• If this is talking about the Holy Spirit, is the passage teaching that a human’s spirit is not involved in serving God (cf. Romans 1:9; John 4:24)? No!
• Does a spiritually-minded person follow the Holy Spirit-inspired scripture? Yes!
• The Holy Spirit often uses the word “fruit” figuratively to mean the effect that God’s word has in one’s life. It might be a quality that is developed or an action that is taken.

Podcast: Download

By Brent Hairston

Benchley, May 22, 2011

• Review of Paul’s history with the Galatians
• Galatians 6:1 – helping each other in a spirit of gentleness
• Galatians 6:3 – warning against pride
• Galatians 6:4 – We must not rejoice in the troubles of others.
• Galatians 6:7 – We will reap what we sow!
• Galatians 6:14 – Paul boasted only in the cross of Christ.

Podcast: Download

By Brent Hairston

Benchley, May 15, 2011

• Christ set us free from the slavery of sin.
  • Christ did not free us from sin so that we could go back under the old law.
• If you follow part of the old law, you are bound to follow all of the old law. You can’t pick and choose!
• Circumcision means nothing as far as following the law of Christ.
• Galatians 5:9 – A little false teaching can cause a whole group to go astray.

Podcast: Download

By Brent Hairston

Benchley, May 8, 2011

• Faith in Christ vs. works of the law, continued:
  • Galatians 4:1-7 – adopted sons, heirs vs. slaves, not heirs
  • Galatians 4:21-31 – Isaac – child of promise vs. Ishmael – child of slavery
• Becoming adopted sons of God
• Paul’s exasperation with the Galatians because they turned back from the faith.

Podcast: Download

By Brent Hairston

Benchley, May 1, 2011

• The purpose of the law and Moses
  • Galatians 3 compared to Hebrews 10:1-18
• Galatians 3:16 – Seed vs. seeds (see also Genesis 22:15-18)
• Galatians 3:19-20 – Mediator of the old covenant vs new covenant
  • See I Timothy 2:5; Galatians 3:26
  • Christ did the job of mediator once for all when He died for us.  He now acts as our intercessor before God.
• Galatians 3:24 – The old law acted as a tutor or guardian in the sense of a chaperone who safely brought people forward to the time of Christ.

Podcast: Download

By David Watson

Benchley, April 24, 2011

• Paul was very upset with the Galatians for leaving the faith that the had taught them.
• Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit:  Acts 10:44-48; 11:1-14,15-18
• Law of Moses vs. faith in Christ (Hebrews 9:8-14):
  • Faith in Christ vs works of the law:
    • Galatians 2:3 – No circumcision required vs. circumcision
    • Galatians 2:4 – Liberty vs. bondage
    • Galatians 2:16 – Justification vs. no justification
    • Galatians 3:6 – Faith is righteousness vs perfect lawkeeping
• Galatians 3:13:  Christ bore the curse of the law by being crucified for us.  I Peter 2:21-24; Hebrews 9:27-28; 10:1-22

Podcast: Download

By Brent Hairston

Benchley, April 17, 2011

• Acts 9:26-28 – Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem (as Paul).
• Acts 15:1-2 – Paul and Barnabas address the question of circumcision.
• Barnabas
  • Paul and Barnabas sent by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2-4)
  • Paul and Barnabas separate (Acts 15:36-40)
• Titus
  • Acts 15:2 – Others?
  • II Corinthians 8:23 – partner of Paul
  • Titus 1:4 – “true child”
• Circumcision not required
  • Romans 6:1-4
  • Colossians 2:11-15
• Paul stands up to Peter.

Podcast: Download

By Brent Hairston

Benchley, April 10, 2011

• Paul gives credit to God and Jesus.
• Galatians quickly deceived
• Paul establishes the authority of his teaching.
  • Acts 9:1-22 – Paul’s conversion
• The effects of Judaism

Podcast: Download

By Brent Hairston

Benchley, April 3, 2011

• Geographical location of Galatia and history of the area
• When Paul wrote the book (probably 50s A.D. – possibly in the 40s)
• Where Paul was when he wrote the book (possibly Ephesus)
• Paul’s attitude in writing the book:  he was chastising them for drifting away from the faith.  (Galatians 1:6; 3:1-3; 4:9-11)
• Paul’s trips to the Galatian region:
  • Acts 13:14-52
    • Paul’s sermon
    • Acts 13:45 – Jews jealous
    • Acts 13:50 – Persecution
  • Acts 14
    • Persecution:  flee to Lystra and Derbe
    • Acts 14:8 – Healing lame man
    • Acts 14:19 – Jews follow, stone Paul
    • Acts 14:21 – Paul returns
  • Acts 16:1,6 – Derbe and Lystra and Galatian region
  • Acts 18:22-24 – Strengthening disciples
  • Compare these facts to Galatians 4:11