There are people who will tell you that the Bible “contradicts” itself. Most of the time if you press them for an example, they will not be able to name one. In other cases, they may throw out Matthew 5:17-20 as an example. Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 18 For I tell you Read more…
Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. BSB As we have discussed, the law is holy, just and good. Read more…
Galatians 3:6 Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, 7 so then, understand that those who believe are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel to Abraham ahead of time, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” 9 So then those who believe are blessed along with Abraham the believer. 10 For all who rely on doing the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not keep on doing everything written in the book of the law.” 11 Now it is clear no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous one will live by faith. 12 But the law is not based on faith, but the one who does the works of the law will live by them. NET (more…)
Galatians 3:6-8 There is an argument that we hear from some that Jesus preached a religion of love and then Paul just messes it up with all of this theology. John Piper addressed this in his article “Did Jesus Preach the Gospel of Evangelism?”. (https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/did-jesus-preach-the-gospel-of-evangelicalism) He uses the story of the prodigal son and of the Pharisee and the publican (translated as “tax-collector” in many versions). Luke 18:9 He spoke also this parable to certain Read more…
Galatians 2:17-3:5 Galatians 2:17 But if while seeking to be justified in Christ we ourselves have also been found to be sinners, is Christ then one who encourages sin? Absolutely not! NET Paul is anticipating an objection to be raised by the false teachers stating that our behavior no longer matters now that we are under grace. In some respects, this is understandable . Prior to meeting the group, our favorite rabbi thought that Christians Read more…
Galatians 2:14-17 Galatians 2:14 When I saw that they were not walking in line with the truth of the Gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? 15 We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile ‘sinners’ BSB Peter eats with the Gentiles and lives like a Read more…
Galatians 2:6-13 Galatians 2:5 But we did not surrender to them even for a moment, in order that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. 6 But from those who were influential (whatever they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism between people) – those influential leaders added nothing to my message. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised just Read more…
Matthew 22:1 Once again, Jesus spoke to them in parables: 2“The kingdom of Heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come. 4 Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is Read more…
Acts 15:1 Now some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” NET The word “circumcision” is shorthand for following the law. There are people saying that Paul is wrong and that grace alone is not enough to save you. Note that when we speak of grace, we are talking about something that God has done for us Read more…
Galatians 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Webster’s Bible Translation So what is the Gospel that Paul is preaching? Acts 13:16-41 gives us an example of apostolic preaching as this is where we see the history of the first missionary journey of Read more…