

Galatians: A Testament to Freedom
An Introduction
To better enable you to follow this series of sermons on Paul’s letter to the province of Galatia, here is some background information that might help your understanding.
About the book as a whole . . . .
- Galatia was a Roman province in Asia Minor (modern Turkey), thus, Galatians was written to serval congregations.
- This letter was written by the apostle Paul about A.D. 52 which is approximately 20 years after his conversion experience on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). This is one of Paul’s earliest letters.
- There were other early Christians that were preaching “another gospel” that was different from the gospel that Paul had proclaimed. Paul is arguing with them in this letter.
- Galatians is a letter; Paul was not sitting down and writing a book that one day might go into something we call “scripture” or the Holy Bible. This was a decision made well after the death of Paul.
General comments about Paul . . . .
- Paul persecuted early followers of Jesus.
- Paul’s encounter with Jesus Christ was through revelation.
- Paul did not know Jesus in his earthly life; Paul is like us, he had to depend on others to know about Jesus’ life.
- Paul lived out his faith in a very complex culture where there were more than one religion. He came from the Greek and Hebrew world.
- His writing are very personal and his imperfections and disagreements are not hidden.
- Paul was a deliberative man, well educated and well traveled. He did most of his work away from his home.
1 comment:
Yes it is true Paul did have to depend on others, as we do, to know about the life of Christ... BUT his revelation where he heard the voice of the Lord and was afflicted and made well added GREAT strength to his acknowledgement of Jesus as Lord.
Many of us on the other hand must rely on others for that knowledge and upon the conviction of others like us to know the word of the Lord. For us to show GREAT conviction is a GIANT leap of faith. I am enjoying your reading of this letter. It is making me look at my own life and how I present myself to other Christians that I meet.
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