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The Galatian church had a problem with people who continued to insist on a strict observance of the Mosaic Law alone for any hope of Heaven. Paul wasn't against following the law per se, but rather in trusting in the law that showed sin rather than in Christ, who died to save mankind from their sins. In the latter is the gospel ("good news"), not in the law. Anyhow, some of the Galatians may have been some of those who insisted that Gentiles follow all of the Mosaic law � not just the commandments, but also the ritual cleansing laws, the law of circumcision, and other items that Paul determined were for the Jews alone; see Acts 15:1-32 and Romans 2:17-3:31, as well as Galatians 5-6.
The "law" that Paul was referring to was the Mosaic Law. This was the law code given to Moses which cosisted of some 300 laws and statutes that the nation of Israel was given, the most well known part being the "Ten Commandments." This law included requiremnets to perform certain sacrifices on certain days, it required many festivals, and required many different sabbaths. It also required all males be circumcised.
Something interesting about this law is that it was binding apon the nation of Israel at that time, and it had a purpose and a fullfilment. The law code's purpose was "to make transgressions manifest, until the seed should arrive to whom the promise had been made .�.�. Consequently the Law has become our tutor [or, teacher] leading to Christ.� (Galatians 3:19-24) The special purpose of the Law was to protect and guide the nation of Israel so that they might be ready to accept Christ when he arrived. The many sacrifices required by the Law reminded the Israelites that they were sinners who needed a Savior.�Hebrews 10:1-4.
It also set them, apart from the surrounding nations who were steeped in false religion with it's immoral rituals and even chld sacrifices to false gods, so that they would be clean and the perfect son of God could come through that line of Abraham.
Jesus Christ was the promised Savior, even as the angel proclaimed at his birth. (Luke 2:8-14) So when Christ came and gave his perfect life as a sacrifice, what happened to the Law? It was removed. �We are no longer under a tutor,� Paul explained. (Galatians 3:25) The removal of the Law was a relief to the Israelites. It had shown them up as sinners, for all of them fell short of keeping that Law perfectly. �Christ by purchase released us from the curse of the Law,� Paul said. (Galatians 3:10-14) So the Bible also says: �Christ is the end of the Law.��Romans 10:4; 6:14. The Bible also tells us at Colossians 2:14, that God "..blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decrees and which was in opposition to us; and He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake."
Some persons, however, say that the Law is divided into two parts: The Ten Commandments, and the rest of the laws. The rest of the laws, they say, are what ended, but the Ten Commandments remain. Yet this is not true. In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus quoted from the Ten Commandments as well as other parts of the Law and made no distinction between them. Jesus thus showed that the law of Moses was not divided into two parts.�Matthew 5:21-42.
Paul was inspired by God to write: �Now we have been discharged from the Law.� Was it only the laws other than the Ten Commandments that the Jews were discharged from? No, for Paul goes on to say: �Really I would not have come to know sin if it had not been for the Law; and, for example, I would not have known covetousness if the Law had not said: �You must not covet.�� (Romans 7:6,�7; Exodus 20:17) Since �You must not covet� is the last one of the Ten Commandments, it follows that the Israelites were discharged from the Ten Commandments also.
Jesus introduced a �new covenant,� based on the better sacrifice of his own perfect human life. Christians come under this new covenant and are subject to Christian laws. (Hebrews 8:7-13; Luke 22:20) This is also called the "law of the Christ," since Christ put it into affect with his own blood. (Galations 6:2) Many of the of same principles from the Mosaic Law carry over to this new law, such as prohibitions against murder, stealing, adultery, and the like. But many other things go deeper than the Mosaic Law, such as things pertaining to one's heart condition.
Paul was concerned that there were those in the Christian congregation that were still clinging to that Mosaic Law, and inducing others to still follow it, thus not fully putting faith in Jesus sacrifice.
AnswerThe difficulty with understanding the situation that Paul was addressing in the letter to the Galatians is two-fold. Firstly, we need to understand the situation of the church back then- the context into which these words were spoken. As this has been dealt with quite well above I will only comment on the second, viz. the fact that many religious systems today, including some that have the name of 'Christian' are essentially works-based systems.Many people associate Christianity with a system of 'do's and don'ts' and as something that involves a whole lot of work on their part to please God and earn his favor. In reality much of what has developed in Christian circles over the centuries has gotten away from the fact that the Christian faith is really about the person and work of Jesus Christ and where we as individuals stand in relationship to him. When people see churches they see a lot of activity and a lot of programs but they may not always see the person of Jesus clearly portrayed in all his simple, yet powerful, mercy, majesty and love.
Jesus in his own lifetime on earth spoke against human traditions that separated men from God's true intentions for them. He tried to cut through a lot of the religiosity of his day to show men how God cared for them. This is one reason we see many examples of his compassion for the sick. A compassion that seemed to be sadly lacking in some of the religious leaders of his day. Paul was, for the Galatians, trying to preserve this simple truth of a 'Gospel of Grace' where God would remain freely accessible to all, not the privileged possession of religions 'high achievers'.
answerBecause the Galatians were the true follower of Jesus and follows JC' instruction to the letters.Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
- And Paul is the anti-Christ that preached that the Mosaic Law is no more.
Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
see link on left " Are the laws of the Old Testament still binding?"
Paul did not have a problem with the Gentiles keeping the Law of God. Just the opposite as he stated in several letters like Romans, 1 Corinthians, Galatians and Hebrews to name the primary ones. He did, however, have a problem with man-made barriers being placed upon the Gentiles.
The Law of God has two general parts to it - laws given at Sinai that define sin - spelling out transgressions - including those 'administrative' procedures and penalties for disobedience that were necessary for governing the nation of Israel. Then there were those like circumcision and various sacrifices for sins that had a symbolic purpose - temporary until the perfect sacrifice of Christ. It is the latter that Paul argued/fought against burdening the Gentiles with.
In the Book of Hebrews, Paul explains for the most part that this latter type had only a temporary purpose because they were merely concerned with foods and drinks, various washing requirements, and fleshy ordinances imposed UNTIL the time of reformation (Hebrews 9:9-10). It is important to note here that Paul never says in Hebrews that everything in the Law was temporary as some teach today.
Paul clearly states in 1 Corinthians 7:19 the distinction in what the Gentiles should keep from what was not necessary, "Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision in nothing, but keeping the COMMANDMENTS of God is what matters." All people are to keep them!!!
Furthermore, as Jews were attempting to have Gentiles follow their laws, Paul pointed out that in God's plan, true reconciliation requires the elimination of barriers that separate people - barriers which are contrary to Scripture. Paul said, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).
Lastly, Paul wanted to defeat the idea that God was rejecting His Chosen People, Israel as he discussed in Romans. Unfortunately, after Paul's death, this idea began to flourish once again and is today known as 'replacement theology' meaning God replaced the Jews as His covenant people with the Gentile converts. This is totally erroneous as the Gentiles were 'grafted' into the 'root' or ancestor of Israel - Abraham to whom the promise of the Messiah was given (Romans 11:17-19). True 'imitators' of Christ are called Spiritual Israel today. The descendants of the House of Israel are called God's 'Inheritance.'
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What book of the bible mentions church leaders refusing to eat with gentiles?
Galatians 2:11-21 Paul confronts Peter because Peter would eat with the Gentiles but when certain Jews would come around Peter would go back to the law and judge them for not following the Law.
What did Saint Peter and Saint Paul disagree about?
Peter felt that Gentiles could not become Christians unless they were first converted to Judaism and followed Judaic law. This included men having to be circumcised. Paul disagreed with this. Finally they came to an agreement that Gentiles did not have to become Jews and could be baptized directly. They were only to abstain from any pagan practices they might have had in the past.
How was the law a schoolmaster?
All the ceremonial law kept the Jews from mingling with the Gentiles, Gal.3:24.
What issue was raised by the Judaizers against Paul in Early Christianity?
Certain teachers in the church (Acts 15), who are commonly called Judaizers, were trying to impose the Law upon the Christians. Paul stressed that we are saved by Grace and that now the Gentiles are given Grace and not judged under the law, thus a conflict arose concerning meats sacrificed to Idols and the blood of strangled animals. Paul and Barnabas showed that God owned the preaching of the pure gospel to the Gentiles without the law of Moses; therefore to press that law upon them was to undo what God had done. The pagan society that Paul was preaching to looked at strangled meat (not blood drained) as a delicacy, but as the reason for this has long ceased, we are left free in this, as in the like matters. Let converts be warned to avoid all appearances of the evils which they formerly practiced.
Was Paul keeping the law of moses 15 years after the resurrection?
Yes. As explained in Romans, he not only kept the Law, he encouraged other Jews to do so. His circumcision of Timothy shows amply that he believed in the Law and kept it, but encouraged others to do so.
What evidence does the Letter of Galatians give on the Jew-Gentile controversy How did Paul deal with it in this letter?
Paul wrote is letter to the Galatians in around AD 48-50, making it one of the first Pauline letters (1 Thessalonians, as well as some others, was earlier) . The church in Galatia was situated in modern day Turkey and was mainly made up of Jewish converts although there were some non-Jew (Gentile) people there also.Paul wrote his letter to deal with the problems of circumcision and the Jewish attitude towards Gentiles. Paul begins his letter setting out why he has the authority to make rulings about Jews and Gentiles, and to impose that authority on the, rather wavering, church in Galatia. He insisted that salvation comes from Jesus Christ alone, and cannot be obtained by merely keeping the Jewish Law - an error that caused quite a few rifts in the Galatian Church - he even called the Galatians 'fools' for still believing in the 'old ways'. (Gal 3: 1-3) arguing that obeying the 10 commandments is futile as we have all broken them, so salvation is impossible by 'keeping the Law'. He went further than this in telling them categorically that their attitude towards Gentiles - that Gentiles should also be circumcised and follow the Jewish Law - was absolutely wrong. For Gentiles are saved by Jesus as well as Jews. Circumcision or any part of the 'old law' does not come into it. Says Paul: " There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal 3:28)Instead, he maintains that we should live by the rule of the Holy Spirit (eg Gal 5:16) and, whilst we are not saved by good works, Christians, whether Jewish or Gentile, will be drawnto good deeds, not for a reward but because they want to live this redeemed life because of Christ's salvation.
How did paul universalize the teaching of the christian faith?
Paul saw his mission as bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, that is, to the non-Jewish people such as the Greeks and the Romans. He was given the particular insight that God's grace does not depend on obeying the Jewish Law, even though that Law is good, but upon faith in Christ. Accordingly, he embarked on extensive missionary journeys in the non-Jewish lands.
Why did St. Paul have to write and explain the he wanted Christians to be united?
St. Paul wrote about the importance of Christian unity because he saw divisions and conflicts within the early Christian communities. He emphasized that unity among believers was essential to maintain the integrity and witness of the Church, ensuring that they could effectively spread the message of Christ.
Why did Paul write Romans chapter 3 verse 20?
A:Romans 3:19-20: "[19] Now we know that what the law says is addressed to those under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world stand accountable to God, [20] since no human being will be justified in his sight by observing the law; for through the law comes consciousness of sin."In verse 19, Paul speaks of those "under the law," thus establishing that when he speaks of the law, he is speaking of the Jewish Torah, which includes commandments for circumcision, dietary laws and laws for ritual cleanlines. Then he says that no one will be justified in the sight of God by observing these laws. Paul goes on to say that for those who believe in Jesus, there is no difference. In other words, he is saying that the Christians of Rome should not feel bound by the laws of the Old Testament.A:In the first three chapters of Romans Paul develops arguments to show that all of mankind, Jew or gentile will be judged by God. The argument culminates with chapter 3 verse 23 ...... "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".In Chapter 1 Paul shows men have had knowledge of God, but turned away and worshipped the creation not the creator. So God left them to their own ways.In chapter 2 Paul shows a day is coming when God will judge every man, and God shows no favouritism, Gods judgment will be true. Paul goes on to show that the righteousness of God is as necessary to the Jew as to the pagan.In chapter 3 Paul shows it will not be an advantage to be a Greek or Jew - there is no difference. Whether you have the law or no law all have sinned.Paul has shown that mere possession of the law will not exempt the Jews from judgment, having the law was not enough God required the law to be kept. Paul has reduced the Jews to a position of equality with the gentiles. The Jews thought they were God's chosen people and therefore had special privileges, but they failed to see the purpose of the law. The purpose of the law was to show the Jews (and then the gentiles) they could not do what is right - they were all guilty.Then Paul writes verse 20 to say the result of this (therefore) is that nobody can be put right with God through keeping the law, the law was to show people they are sinners and helpless to save themselves.
What issues were settled at the Jerusalem Conference?
whether or not gentile christians had to follow mosaic law in order to be official. paul is mad at peter because when peter eats with gentiles, he follows kosher laws. should gentiles have to follow kosher rules when they eat with jews? who is more respected? this i don't know but i know these are questions. also a question that do gentile christians need to be circumsized in order to be an official christian? no they do not
Who Wanted to keep Christianity as a part of Judaism?
I don't know of anybody in the Bible who wanted to keep Christianity as part of Judaism. Many people wanted to carry over elements of Judaism into Christianity. Paul's letter to the church at Galatia was written to encourage the Christians not to go back to keeping aspects of the law. After Paul had left this area, false teachers entered the churches and introduced wrong doctrine. They taught that salvation was by faith in Christ plus keeping the law. Their message was a mixture of Christianity and Judaism, of grace and law, of Christ and Moses.
Where is an important site of Christianity?
The answer to this question depends on what time period you are speaking of. During the life of Jesus, the answer would have to be Jerusalem. During the ministry of Paul the Apostle, Anioch, because Paul's missionary journeys to the gentiles began in this city. Also important is Jerusalem because of the Jerusalem Council. Here, Paul succeeded in persuading other Apostles to carry the Gospel to gentiles without any requirements of Hebrew law. Second century Christianity was decentralized with key cities being Antioch, Jerusalem and Rome. By the third and fourth centuries, the Church of Rome progressively became the center of the Christian religion.
