WEBVTT

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Introduction to the Epistle of Paul the
Apostle to the Galatians.

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The most crucial and pressing questions in
the first churches were addressed in this

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letter to the Galatians from the Apostle
Paul.

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What is required for people to be saved?

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And how do new believers, especially
non-Jewish gentile believers, relate to

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the Jewish Old Testament law?

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Remember that most of the first followers
of Jesus and the early leaders in the

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Church were Jews who claimed Jesus as
their Messiah.

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As believers in Christ, they struggle with
a dual identity.

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Their Jewish heritage pulled them to
continue to be strict followers of the

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Mosaic law.

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But their newfound faith in Christ invited
them to liberty based on the principle of

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love.

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They wondered how gentile believers could
be part of the kingdom of heaven.

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Paul wrote emphatically that any promise
of salvation that also requires human

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effort is no salvation at all.

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As you listen, reflect upon the fact that
any belief system that requires

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meritorious effort from its followers for
salvation denies the finished work of

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Christ's death and resurrection.

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But notice also that freedom in Christ is
not freedom to sin.

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In chapter 5 of Galatians, Paul contrasts
the works of the flesh with the fruit of

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the Spirit.

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Just as we are saved by faith,
we grow in Christlikeness as we depend on

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the Holy Spirit through faith.