Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Galatians 1 Bible Study


In Galatians 1, Paul introduces himself as an apostle appointed by God. In 1 Corinthians 12:7 - 11, every one of us has a gift from God. There are several types of spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit bestow on us including message of wisdom, message of knowledge, gift of faith, gift of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in different tongues, and interpretation of tongues.

In 1 Peter 4:10 - 11, we should use the spiritual gift we receive from God to serve others. We should use our gifts to serve God in the strength he provides so that his name can be glorified. In Romans 12:6 - 8, whatever gift God gives you, you must use it to serve him. For example, if you are rich, you should generously help the people who are needy. If you have the gift of teaching, you can become a teacher of the word of God. If you have the gift of leadership, you should become a leader and lead diligently. If you have the gift of encouraging people, you should encourage people. If you have the gift of compassion, you should have mercy on people cheerfully.

Jesus Christ was dead after being crucified by the Roman soldiers. However, God raised him from the dead. God loved the people in the world so much that he sent his begotten son, Jesus Christ to come to earth and die for our sins (John 3:16). Jesus Christ died for us while we are still sinners (Romans 5:8). Jesus was righteous and without sin but he was crucified on the cross on behalf of our sins.

Once you have accepted Jesus Christ, your old self is crucified to the cross with him. By crucifying your old self onto the cross, you will no longer obey your sinful fleshly nature (Romans 6:6). Christians must experience a change in their lives after accepting Jesus so that they will become a living testimony. If you really die to your old self and stop sinning, you will be able to have a new life in Christ. The blood of Jesus Christ will wash away your sins and you will be righteous in the eyes of God (1 Peter 2:24).

Paul rebuked the Galatian Christians from deserting away from the gospel of Christ. He said that there are people that preach a different gospel, which confusion in them and become led away from Christ. Paul said that the person who preach a different gospel should be condemned. We must not cause other people to stumble by the message we preach. As servants of God, we must do things that edify others and please God.

If you cause a brother or sister to stumble by the message you preach, you are sinning. In the end time, there will be a lot of false prophets preaching a gospel that deviates away from the word of God in the Bible. Before accepting any gospel, we should examine it to see if it meets the standard of the Bible (1 John 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Peter 2:1; Revelations 2:2).

Paul said that the gospel he preached is a revelation from Jesus Christ. Paul originally was a Pharisee who used to persecute the Christians. He was converted after a bright light from heaven shone on him while he was on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christians there. He had obtained letters from the high priest to the synagogues in Damascus.

Paul became blind and couldn't see after seeing the bright light. Later, Ananias laid hand and prayed for him so that he was able to see again. Immediately after that, he started his ministry. He started preaching the gospel in Arabia. After that, he returned to Damascus. Paul went to Jerusalem and stayed with Peter for 15 days after three years. The apostles in Jerusalem thought Paul was the bad person who used to persecute Christians but Barnabas spoke for him to the disciples (Acts 9).




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