Book of Galatians Chpt 3 (By Faith) Part 3

Bible Study for 2/3/2014

Book of Galatians (By Faith) Part 3

[Note to Blog Readers: Expositor’s Notes are in Bold Italic Font]

God has a lot of great things that every person that is still breathing, needs to learn and to apply in their lives, including so called Churches. As we go through this great book of Galatians, you should see that many of these Churches is a cult, one way or another. They attend to hang onto Law and not Grace through the Cross, of Jesus Christ. Those Churches, you need to get out of, they are misleading souls and pointing them to hell, here is how. They are placing their Faith in and making Baptism their object of Faith, instead of the Cross. By doing that, people are going back in time and replacing Jesus back on the Cross and re beating him over and over again. Jesus Christ died for sin and took the sins of the world and had them nailed to the Cross. That time was needed for Water Baptism, “the old Covenant”, when Jesus Christ died on the Cross and shed His Blood on the Cross for sins of the World, “New Covenant has come into play”, sins has been covered by the Blood of Jesus Christ, that is where being Saved by the Blood, by having Faith in the Cross, through Jesus Christ comes in at. Those who are Baptizing by Water, out of compulsion, is being Cursed by sin and damnation of hell, and they are not Saved, according to the Word of God. They are making Baptism the object of their Faith and not putting Faith and making the Cross the object of their Faith, which is sin. People who hears the word but yet, continues to live a sinful life style, by cursing, smoking, drinking any type of alcohol, allowing ungodly music into the Church Worship time, having perverted hearts and minds and not repenting and turning away from the filth, is not truly Saved. You are mocking God and that is a big no, no, if you are a Christian. Those who claims to be “Christian” and prays to God, He may not hear or answer your prayers, if you are living in disobedient in any way, something extra for you to think and pray about. As we go through this lesson today, it all will come together and make more since to ya, I pray and hope. Lets get started and may God be with you, through this Journey together.

Galatians 3:1-29 (KJV)

1 O foolish Galatians (failure to use one’s powers of perception), who has bewitched you (malignant influence), that you should not obey the truth (refers to “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified”), before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you? (Paul Preached the Cross with such vividness that his hearers could see Jesus Christ Crucified among them. Regrettably, only a few modern Preachers follow his example.) 2 This only would I learn of you (I will convince you of your error by this one argument), Did you Receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (This refers to being Born-Again, at which time the Spirit of God comes into the heart and life of the new Believer. It is received simply by trusting Christ, and what He did at the Cross.) 3 Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit (do you think you can now be brought to a state of spiritual maturity by means of self-effort?), are you now made perfect by the flesh? (These Galatians were practicing Salvation by “Faith,” and Sanctification by “self,” which is also the state of most modern Christians.) 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain? (You have suffered persecution because of your acceptance of Christ. Don’t throw it away.) if it be yet in vain (in essence saying, “I trust it is not in vain”). 5 He (the Lord Jesus) therefore that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, does he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (It is obvious that everything the Lord does is done on the basis of the Believer exhibiting Faith. It is never by works of the Law.) 6 Even as Abraham believed God (proclaims the fact that the Patriarch was justified by Faith, not works), and it was accounted to him for righteousness. (The Righteousness of God is imputed to a person only on the basis of Faith in Christ, and what Christ has done at the Cross [Jn. 8:56].) 7 Know you therefore that they which are of faith (presents Faith, and Faith alone, as the foundation; but the Object of Faith must ever be the Cross), the same are the children of Abraham (the legitimate sons of Abraham). 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith (proclaims the Word of God as the Foundation of all Things), preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed (Gen. 12:1-3). 9 So then they (whomsoever they might be) which be of faith (in Christ and the Cross) are blessed with faithful Abraham. (He received Justification by Faith, and so do we!) 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse (the Believer can only be under Law or Grace; it is one or the other; one can only come to Grace through the Cross; if one is trusting in Law, whatever kind of Law, one is cursed): for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them (Deut. 27:26). (To attain the Righteousness of the Law, one must keep the Law perfectly, thereby never failing. Such is impossible, so that leaves only the Cross as the means of Salvation and Victory.) 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident (because it is impossible for man to perfectly keep the Law): for, The just shall live by faith ([Hab. 2:4], Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross). 12 And the law is not of faith (the two principles of Law and of Faith as a means of Justification are mutually exclusive of one another): but, The man who does them shall live in them. (The Believer has a choice. He can attempt to live this life by either Law or Faith. He cannot live by both.) 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law (He did so on the Cross), being made a curse for us (He took the penalty of the Law, which was death): for it is written, Cursed is every one who hangs on a tree (Gal. 3:13): 14 That the blessing of Abraham (Justification by Faith) might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ (what He did at the Cross); that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (All sin was atoned at the Cross, which lifted the sin debt from from believing man, making it possible for the Holy Spirit to come into the life of the Believer and abide there forever [Jn. 14:16-17].) 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men (now presents an argument to show that the Covenant God made with Abraham is still in force); Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or adds thereto. (In other words, the Covenant of Justification by Faith cannot be broken or set aside.) 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made (to all those who are brought into Salvation by Faith in Christ). He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Abraham’s Seed was Christ, and Christ is both God and Man. Therefore, the Covenant cannot be broken.) 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ (refers to the Abrahamic Covenant, which is Justification by Faith), the law (the Law of Moses), which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. (In other words, the Law of Moses did not annul the Abrahamic Covenant. In fact, that Covenant is still in force.) 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise (the inheritance cannot come from both Covenants and, in fact, it cannot come by the Law): but God gave it to Abraham by promise. (The verb “gave” is in a perfect tense, which means that God gave the Promise about Christ as a permanent Promise that cannot be superseded or modified.) 19 Wherefore then serves the law? (What good is the Law?) It was added because of transgressions (was given to define sin), till the seed should come to whom the promise was made (Christ is the Promise); and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. (Moses was the mediator of the Law.) 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one (for there to be a mediator, there has to be more than one person involved; in other words, the mediator is the middle person between two or more people who are at enmity with each other), but God is one. (God is the Mediator of the New Covenant, but in a different way than Moses. Jesus is God, and Jesus is also Man. Consequently, the New Covenant doesn’t depend upon man as such, but rather the man Christ Jesus. Therefore, this Covenant cannot fail!) 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? (This demands a negative answer.) God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. (The Law of Moses could show a man what he was but had no power to change the man.) 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin (means that the Law could not give Eternal Life; it could only exact its penalty, which was death), that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. (Eternal Life comes by Faith in the Promise, Who is Jesus Christ and what He did at the Cross. In other words the word “believe” demands that Christ and the Cross ever be the Object of our Faith.) 23 But before faith came (actually says in the Greek, “before the Faith”; in short, it refers to “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified”), we were kept under the law (actually means, “to keep inward under lock and key”), shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. (This proclaims the fact that the Law pointed to Christ, always to Christ.) 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster (should have been translated, “guardian”) to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (This proclaims to us that the Law had no permanent function, but served only until Christ would come. It is only by Faith in Christ that one can be justified.) 25 But after that faith is come (Paul is speaking about the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross), we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (This should actually say, “We are no longer under the guardianship of the Law.” The Law was totally fulfilled in Christ.) 26 For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Every person who is saved, and every person who has ever been or ever will be saved, is saved only by “Faith in  Christ Jesus,” which refers to what He did at the Cross.) 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ (refers to the Baptism into His Death and Calvary [Rom. 6:3-5]; the reference is not to Water Baptism) have put on Christ (means to be clothed with Him [Jn. 14:20]). 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female (all have common life in Christ Jesus): for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (This proclaims an end of all class, status, and social distinction. This phrase alone answers all racism.) 29 And if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed (Christ is Abraham’s Seed, so my union with Christ makes me Abraham’s seed as well), and heirs according to the promise (heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ [Rom. 8:17]).

John 8:56 (KJV)

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad (in the great Revelation of Justification by Faith given to Abraham by God, he was made to understand that this great Redemption Plan was wrapped up, not in a philosophy, but rather a Man, the Man Christ Jesus, and what He would do at the Cross; the Patriarch rejoiced in that).

Genesis 12:1-3 (KJV)

1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram (referring to the Revelation which had been given to the Patriarch a short time before; this Chapter is very important, for it records the first steps of this great Believer in the Path of Faith), Get thee out of your country (separation), and from your kindred (separation), and from your father's house (separation), unto a land that I will show you (refers to the fact that Abraham had no choice in the matter; he was to receive his orders from the Lord, and go where those orders led him): 2 And I will make of you a great nation (the Nation which God made of Abraham has changed the world, and exists even unto this hour; in fact, this Nation “Israel” still has a great part to  play, which will take place in the coming Kingdom Age), and I will bless you, and make your name great (according to Scripture, “to bless” means “to increase;” the builders of the Tower of Babel sought to “make us a name,” whereas God took this man, who forsook all, and “made his name great”); and you shall be a blessing: (Concerns itself with the greatest blessing of all. It is the glory of Abraham’s Faith. God would give this man the meaning of Salvation, which is “Justification by Faith,” which would come about through the Lord Jesus Christ, and what Christ would do on the Cross. Concerning this, Jesus said of Abraham, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad” [Jn. 8:56].) 3 And I will bless them that bless you (to bless Israel, or any Believer, for that matter, guarantees the Blessings of God), and curse him that curses you (to curse Israel, or any Believer, guarantees that one will be cursed by God): and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed. (It speaks of Israel, which sprang from the loins of Abraham and the womb of Sarah, giving the world the Word of God and, more particularly, bringing the Messiah into the world. Through Christ, every family in the world who desires blessing from God can have that Blessing, i.e., “Justification by Faith.”)

Deuteronomy 27:26 (KJV)

26 Cursed be he that confirms not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen (the Law, as given by God, was to govern Israel in all that she did; in fact, Israel constituted the only people in the world who had the Law of God, which made them in every respect).

Habakkuk 2:4 (KJV)

4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. (The first phrase of this Verse speaks of one who is proud, presumptuous, thinking much of himself, despising others, and who is not straightforward and upright before God. As such, he carries in himself the seeds of destruction. “But the just shall live by his Faith,” implies a loving trust in God, confident in His Promises, resulting in due performance of His Will. This Passage can be translated, “As to the just, through his Faith, he shall live.” This is the great Passage used by the Apostle Paul on the basis of his great argument of Faith versus works [Rom. 1:17].)

John 14:16-17 (KJV)

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter (“Parakletos,” which means “One called to the side of another to help”), that he may abide with you forever (before the Cross, the Holy Spirit could only help a few individuals, and then only for a period of time; since the Cross, He lives in hearts and lives of Believers, and does so forever); 17 Even the Spirit of truth (the Greek says, “The Spirit of the Truth,” which refers to the Word of God; actually, He does far more than merely superintend the attribute of Truth, as Christ “is Truth” [1Jn. 5:6]); whom the world cannot receive (the Holy Spirit cannot come into the heart of the unbeliever until that person makes Christ his or her Saviour; then He comes in), because it sees him not, neither knows him (refers to the fact that only Born-Again Believers can understand the Holy Spirit and know Him): but you know him (would have been better translated, “But you shall get to know Him”); for he dwells with you (before the Cross), and shall be in you (which would take place on the Day of Pentecost and forward, because the sin debt has been forever paid by Christ on the Cross, changing the disposition of everything).

Romans 6:3-5 (KJV)

3Know ye not, that so many of us as were into Jesus Christ (plainly says that this Baptism is into Christ and Not Water [1 Cor. 1:17; 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:11-13]) were baptized into his death? (When Christ died on the Cross, in the Mind of God, we died with Him; in other words, He became our Substitute, and our identification with Him in His Death gives us all the benefits for which He died; the idea is that He did it all for us!) 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death (not only did we die with Him, but we were buried with Him as well, which means that all the sins and transgressions of the past were buried; when they put Him in the Tomb, they put all our sins into the Tomb as well): that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (we died with Him, we were buried with him, and His Resurrection was our Resurrection to a “Newness of Life”). 5 For if we have been planted together (with Christ) in the likeness of his death (Paul proclaims the Cross as the Instrument through which all Blessings come; consequently, the Cross must ever be the Object of our Faith, which gives the Holy Spirit latitude to work within our lives), we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection (we can have the “likeness of His Resurrection,” i .e., “live this Resurrection Life,” only as long as we understand the “likeness of His Death,” which refers to the Cross as the Means by which all of this is done):

John 14:20 (KJV)

20 At that day (after the Resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost) you shall know that I am in my Father (speaks of Deity; Jesus is God!), and you in me (has to do with our Salvation by Faith), and I in you (enables us to live a victorious life [Gal. 2:20]).

Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

20 I am crucified with Christ (as the Foundation of all Victory; Paul, here, takes us back to [Rom. 6:3-5]): nevertheless I live (have new life); yet not I (not by my own strength and ability), but Christ lives in me (by virtue of me dying with Him on the Cross, and being raised with Him in Newness of Life): and the life which I now live in the flesh (my daily walk before God) I live by the faith of the Son of God (the Cross is ever the Object of my Faith), who loved me, and gave himself for me (which is the only way that I could be Saved).

Romans 8:17 (KJV)

17 And if children (Children of God), then heirs (a privilege); heirs of God (the highest enrichment of all), and joint-heirs with Christ (everything that belongs to Christ belongs to us through the Cross); if so be that we suffer with him (doesn’t pertain to mere suffering “with Him” referring to His Suffering at the Cross, which brought us total Victory), that we may be also glorified together (He has been glorified, and we shall be glorified; all made possible by the Cross).

Did this make a difference in your thinking and walk with God? As you can see, clear as day, in order for God to hear and answer your prayer needs, you need to be Saved, He may answer some of your prayers, but not all of them. Question time, Are you Saved by Water emersion, and making Baptism the object or our Faith? If you answered no, you are right, like I said before, that is the old Covenant Law, any Church that is hanging onto “Law is Cursed and re Crucifying Jesus Christ, all over again. Water Baptism is works and Jesus Christ, did that already for us on the Cross”. Any person and or Church, who makes water Baptism the object of their Faith, has already rejected Jesus Christ and what He did at the Cross. Are we Saved by Grace, through Faith in Jesus Christ and the Cross and making the Cross the object of our Faith? If you answered yes, then you are right. If you are a sinner and if your hearts desire is to be Saved and make it to Heaven, then Accept Jesus Christ into your Hearts, believe and have Faith in Jesus Christ and what He did at the Cross for sins of the world, you then will be Baptized by the Holy Ghost and you will be Saved, my friends. That is the promises of God. Those who rejects Jesus Christ and the Cross, will be subject for hell. It is a sin to perform water Baptism out of compulsion, which means doing that week after week, is a sin and Blasphemous. The person needs to be Saved, before they can be Baptized by water. Lets close in prayer.