Lesson 5July 22-28/29Old Testament Faith
Memory Text:“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us — for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’ ” (Galatians 3:13, ESV).
A little boy had made a little boat, all painted and fixed up beautifully. One day someone stole his boat, and he was distressed. In passing a pawnshop one day he saw his boat. Happily he ran in to the pawnbroker and said, ‘That is my little boat.’ ‘No,’ said the pawnbroker, ‘it is mine, for I bought it.’ ‘Yes,’ said the boy, ‘but it is mine, for I made it.’ ‘Well,’ said the pawnbroker, ‘if you will pay me two dollars, you can have it.’ That was a lot of money for a boy who did not have a penny. Anyway, he resolved to have it; so he cut grass, did chores of all kinds, and soon had his money.
“He ran down to the shop and said, ‘I want my boat.’ He paid the money and received his boat. He took the boat up in his arms, and hugged and kissed it, and said, ‘You dear little boat, I love you. You are mine. You are twice mine. I made you, and now I have bought you.’
“So it is with us. We are, in a sense, twice the Lord’s. He created us, and we got into the devil’s pawnshop. Then Jesus came and bought us at awful cost — not silver and gold, but His precious blood. We are the Lord’s by creation and by redemption.” — William Moses Tidwell, Pointed Illustrations (Kansas City, Mo.: Beacon Hill Press, 1951) p. 97.
Sunday, July 23The Foolish Galatians
Read Galatians 3:1-5 (Justification by Faith) 1O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth,before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among youas crucified?2This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?3Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?4Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeedit wasin vain? 5Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you,does He do itby the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—
Summarize below what Paul is saying to them. In what sense could we be in danger of falling into the same spiritual pitfall, of starting out right and then falling into legalism?A Possible Answer:A) Paul is asking the Galatians ‘what or who’ bewitched and moved them to the point that they would leave the newly experience‘faith’ when Christ and His presence was so evident... only to hang or rely upon the law and live by works instead of ‘faith’. B) We can be in the same danger when after experiencing the blessing of God, begin relying of our works as a means of salvation or further... lose hope, courage and the assurance of our salvation based on how well we think we are doing in the Christian warfare.
Several modern translations have tried to capture the sense of Paul’s words in verse 1 about the “foolish” Galatians. The actual word Paul uses in Greek is even stronger than that. The word is anoetoi, and it comes from the word for mind (nous). Literally, it means “mindless.”The Galatians were not thinking. Paul does not stop there; he says that, because they are acting so foolishly, he wonders if some magician has cast a spell on them. “Who has bewitched you?” His choice of words here may even suggest that the ultimate source behind their condition is the devil (2 Cor. 4:4).
What baffles Paul so much about the Galatians’ apostasy on the gospel is that they knew salvation was rooted in the Cross of Christ. It was not something that they could have missed. The word translated “portrayed” or “set forth” (KJV) in Galatians 3:1 literally means “placarded” or “painted.” It was used to describe all public proclamations.Paul is saying that the Cross was such a central part of his preaching that the Galatians had, in effect, seen in their mind’s eye Christ crucified (1 Cor. 1:23, 2:2). In a sense, he’s saying that, by their actions, they are turning away from the Cross.
Paul then contrasts the current experience of the Galatians with how they first came to faith in Christ. He does this by asking them some rhetorical questions. How did they receive the Spirit, meaning how did they first become Christians? And from a slightly different perspective, Why did God give the Spirit? Was it because they did something to earn it? Certainly not! Instead, it was because they believed the good news of what Christ had already done for them. Having begun so well, what would make them think that now they had to rely upon their own behavior?
How often, if ever, do you find yourself thinking, I’m doing pretty well. I’m a pretty solid Christian, I don’t do this and/or I don’t do that . . . and then, even subtly, thinking you’re somehow good enough to be saved? A Possible Answer:Maybe...now and then...never. After some meritorious deed or at a time when you where victorious against an assault or temptation.
What’s wrong with that picture?A Possible Answer:It’s a picture of a person who has taken their eyes of Jesus. It’s a picture of one who has delighted the enemy of Jesus and has not accepted and internalized the truth that there is none righteous... all our righteousness is as filthy rags.
MondayJuly 24Grounded in Scripture
So far, in his letter to the Galatians, Paul has defended his gospel of justification by faith by appealing to the agreement reached with the apostles in Jerusalem (Gal. 2:1-10) and to the personal experience of the Galatians themselves (Gal. 3:1-5). Beginning in Galatians 3:6, Paul now turns to the testimony of Scripture for the final and ultimate confirmation of his gospel. In fact, Galatians 3:6-4:31 is made up of progressive arguments rooted in Scripture.
What does Paul mean when he writes about the “Scripture” in Galatians 3:6-8? Consider Rom. 1:2, 4:3, 9:17.
Galatians 3:6-8 6just as Abraham“believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”7Therefore know thatonlythose who are of faith are sons of Abraham.8And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand,saying,“In you all the nations shall be blessed.”
Romans 1:2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, Romans 4:3For what does the Scripture say?“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Romans 9:17For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh,“For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.”
Rom. 9:17. The scripture saith. The Scriptures are personified in this common formula of quotation (see also Gal. 3:8, 22). In Rom. 9:15 Paul used the words “he saith,” that is, God saith, to introduce the quotation of God’s words to Moses.[1]
A Possible Answer:Paul means that of the Old Testament that was comprised of the writings of the prophets in particular... visa-vise, that of the LXX. Here in Galatians, particularly, the writings of Moses.
It is important to remember that at the time Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians there was no New Testament. When Paul quotes “Scripture,” he regularly quotes the Old Testament.
The Old Testament Scriptures play a significant role in Paul’s teachings. He does not view them as dead texts but as the authoritative and living Word of God. In 2 Timothy 3:16 he writes, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” The word translated “inspiration” is theopneustos. The first part of the word (theo) means “God,” while the second half means “breathed.” Scripture is “God-breathed.”Paul uses the Scripture to demonstrate that Jesus is the promised Messiah (Rom. 1:2), to give instruction in Christian living (Rom. 13:8-10), and to prove the validity of his teachings (Gal. 3:8, 9).
It is difficult to determine exactly how many hundreds of times Paul quotes the Old Testament, but quotes are found throughout all his letters, except his shortest ones, Titus and Philemon.
Read carefully Galatians 3:6-14.
Galatians 3:6-14 6just as Abraham“believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”7Therefore know thatonlythose who are of faith are sons of Abraham.8And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand,saying,“In you all the nations shall be blessed.”9So then those whoareof faith are blessed with believing Abraham. (The Law Brings a Curse) 10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written,“Cursediseveryone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”11But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of Godisevident, for“the just shall live by faith.”12Yet the law is not of faith, but“the man who does them shall live by them.” 13Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written,“Cursediseveryone who hangs on a tree”),14that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Identify the passages Paul quotes from the Old Testament in those verses. What does that tell us about how authoritative the Old Testament was?A Possible Answer: A) Verses.... 6“believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”8“In you all the nations shall be blessed.”10. “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”11“the just shall live by faith” and12“the man who does them shall live by them.” 13“Cursediseveryone who hangs on a tree”. B)It tells us the OT was considered to be very authoritative in communicating the character and will of God. No one (leader or non-leader) was to consider themselves outside of its authority.
Do you at times find yourself thinking that one part of the Bible is more “inspired” than other parts? A Possible Answer:Maybe for some...Yes. Those parts that were written with the finger of God or those books that seems to be more spiritual than others. (i.e. The book of ‘Ester’ because it does not mention ‘God’ at all or ‘Songs of Solomon’ because of its social/filial tenor) Other readers may say, ‘No’. Given Paul’s statement in 2 Timothy 3:16, what’s the danger of going down that path?A Possible Answer:1) It deprives us of a fuller picture of the mind, will and character of God. 2) It can minimize the intent of the fuller revelation of Scripture. That is, itsprofitability for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness will be minimized... yes, even distorted. 3) We make ourselves the arbiter of what is inspired and what is not. God is the author and benefactor, not man.
TuesdayJuly 25Reckoned as Righteous
Why do you think Paul first appeals to Abraham as he looks to the Scriptures to validate his gospel message?(GAL. 3:6just as Abraham“believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”) A Possible Answer:Paul’s opponents had made it appear that Paul had no regard for the writings of Moses, to which they had attached an exaggerated importance. Meeting them now on their own ground, Paul quotes from Moses to prove his position. In fact, the experience of Abraham—in whom they boasted—is an example of what Paul believes should be the experience of all Christians. In Rom. 4:1–3 Paul quotes the same Scripture as evidence that Abraham was justified by faith and not by works. If that was true of Abraham, it must be true of his descendants (Gal. 3:7), and doubly so of his spiritual children (vs. 14, 26–29). The important point is the superiority of faith over the law as a means of attaining righteousness.
Abraham was a central figure in Judaism. Not only was he the father of the Jewish race, but Jews in Paul’s time also looked to him as the prototype of what a true Jew should be like. Many not only believed that his defining characteristic was his obedience but that God had declared Abraham righteous because of that obedience. After all, Abraham forsook his homeland and family, he accepted circumcision, and he was even willing to sacrifice his son at God’s command. That’s obedience! With their insistence on circumcision, Paul’s opponents certainly argued along these same lines.
Paul, however, turns the tables by appealing to Abraham — nine times in Galatians — as an example of faith instead of law-keeping.
Consider Paul’s quotation of Genesis 15:6. What does it mean when it says that Abraham’s faith was “counted . . . to him for righteousness”? See ( alsoRom. 4:3-6, 8-11, 22-24.)
Romans 4:3-6 3For what does the Scripture say?“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”4Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. (David Celebrates the Same Truth) 5But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,6just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: Romans 4:8-11 8Blessedis theman to whom the Lordshall not impute sin.” (Abraham Justified Before)Circumcision 9Doesthis blessedness thencomeupon the circumcisedonly,or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.10How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised.11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith whichhe had while stilluncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, Romans 4:22-24 22And therefore“it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 23Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him,24but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,
Gen. 15:6. He believed in the Lord. Paul used this text as the cornerstone on which he erected the doctrine of justification by faith (Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6). Although the possibility that Abram would have children had decreased since God’s first promise, as his age increased, he did not hesitate to take God’s word that it would be so. The Hebrew verbal form, translated “he believed,” he’emin, is from the same root as the word amen, with which we emphasize our desire that God may hear and fulfill our prayers. This verb expresses complete trust in the power and promises of God. The particular form of the verb here used expresses, furthermore, that this was not just Abram’s historical experience at the moment, but an abiding character trait as well. He kept on believing.
Abram’s faith and childlike trust in God did not make him “righteous”; rather, the Lord, “counted it to him for righteousness.” For the first time these important concepts, faith and justification, are brought together. It is obvious that Abram had no “righteousness” until it was credited to him by God. And if he had none, no man has ever had. Abram was a sinner and needed redemption, as does every other human being; but when righteousness was imputed to him, mercy and grace were also extended, effecting the pardon of his sin and bringing the rewards of righteousness. Here for the first time the full importance of faith is brought to view. Here also, for the first time, imputed righteousness is mentioned. From this point onward both fundamental concepts run through the Holy Scriptures, to find exhaustive and masterful treatment by the pen of the apostle Paul (see Rom. 4).
A Possible Answer:It means that the faith that Abraham demonstrated was “counted,” “reckoned” or “credited” to him as being righteous. Abraham’s faith was not merely a belief in something impersonal, but a personal trust and confidence in God (see on ch. 3:22).Abraham’s faith was set down on the credit side for righteousness. The Hebrew word used in Gen. 15:6 (chashab) means “to think,” “to regard,” “to consider,” “to reckon.” The fact that Abraham’s faith was reckoned to him as righteousness does not mean that faith possesses in itself some merit that can earn justification (see EGW Supplementary Material on ch. 4:3–5). It was Abraham’s faith in God that was accounted as righteousness. Such faith is a relation, an attitude, a disposition of man toward God. It implies a readiness to receive with joy whatever God may reveal, and to do with joy whatever God may direct. Abraham loved and trusted and obeyed God because he knew Him and was His friend (James 2:21–23). His faith was a genuine relationship of love, confidence, and submission. Moreover, Abraham knew the gospel of salvation, he knew that his justification depended on the atoning sacrifice of the One to come (Gal. 3:8; cf. John 8:56). It was Abraham’s thankful and confident acceptance of the atonement and of the righteousness of Christ in place of his own unrighteousness that was credited to him for righteousness. This is the same experience of justification by faith that is enjoyed by every believing Christian. Praises be to God...