Churches of the New Testament: Galatia I. Introduction A. Galatians 3:1 B. Galatian churches some of the firstfruits of Paul's missionary work 1. Paul often visits them 2. Never stays long, however 3. To his complete surprise, "Judaizing" teachers gain a stronghold there 4. Compels Paul to write letter C. Let us consider the churches of Galatia II. Geography and History A. Some confusion over area 1. "ethnic Galatia": northern section 2. Galatia, province of Rome: northern and southern sections 3. Based upon other NT usage (cf. 2 Corinthians 1), safe to assume that Paul refers to province B. Regardless, center of Anatolian peninsula (modern-day Turkey) 1. includes "ethnic" Galatia, also Pisidia and Lycaonia 2. large territory, although on the whole sparse, dry C. In the days of the Exodus, Galatia as center of Hittite empire D. Third century BCE: Gallic invasion 1. Celts from Gaul (modern day France) conquer central Anatolia, settle there 2. Establish their own kingdom, eventually part of Roman Empire 3. "Galatia" from Gauls E. As is evident, land full of Gentiles 1. Mostly Gentile and pagan 2. Some Jews, however, especially in southern section III. Chronology of the Letter to the Galatians A. Before we begin, recognition of difficulties in correlating Galatians and Acts B. Early date 1. Galatians 1-2 occur within timeframe of Acts 9-11 2. Letter then written ca. 47-48 from Antioch before conference C. While some difficulties resolved in that view, not historically likely D. Historically likely dating 1. Galatians 1-2 occur within timeframe of Acts 9-15 2. Galatian letter written afterward, either 49-51 or 55-57 3. Latter as most plausible E. Corinthian - Galatian connections 1. Cephas (Galatians 2:11, 1 Corinthians 1:12) 2. Similarity of instruction (1 Corinthians 16:1) 3. 2 Corinthians, Galatians regard "Judaizing" teachers 4. 1 Corinthians 5:6, Galatians 5:9: leaven and dough imagery F. Date between 55-57, from Ephesus, assumed in discussion IV. The Churches of Galatia in the First Missionary Journey A. Acts 13:1-3: Paul and Barnabas set aside for evangelistic mission from Antioch ca. 46 B. First traveled to Cyprus and then to Anatolian peninsula via Pamphylia (Acts 13:4-14) C. Then to Antioch of Pisidia in Galatia (Acts 13:14) 1. Entered synagogue, Paul preached Jesus from OT (Acts 13:15-41) 2. Jews were willing to hear him again until Gentiles arrived, then instigated persecution (Acts 15:42-52) 3. Maybe some Jews converted, definitely Gentiles; church established there (Acts 15:48, 52) D. Then to Iconium 1. Again entered synagogue, more favorable reception (Acts 14:1) 2. Spent more time in Iconium, but Jews again stir up trouble, plan to stone Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:2-6) E. Then to Lycaonia-- Lystra 1. While preaching, man with infirmity healed (Acts 14:8-10) 2. People think gods have come down as humans: Barnabas as Zeus, Paul as Hermes, desire to sacrifice to them (Acts 14:11-13) 3. Paul explains that such is against the point of the Gospel, and barely restrains them (Acts 14:14-18) 4. Gospel is preached there, yet Jews from Antioch of Pisidia and Iconium come down, persuade multitudes, and Paul is stoned to an inch of his life (Acts 14:19-20) 5. Paul and Barnabas then go to Derbe, preach the Gospel (Acts 14:21) F. Return Trip 1. Paul and Barnabas then return to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 14:21) 2. Exhorted them to remember that through persecution we enter the Kingdom (Acts 14:22) 3. Appointed elders in every congregation (Acts 14:23) G. Paul, Barnabas then leave Galatia, return to Antioch of Syria H. Thus, Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe represent nucleus of churches of Galatia 1. Gospel preached there 2. Much persecution 3. Biblical organization established V. Paul and the Churches of Galatia, 48-55 A. After Acts 15 controversy, Paul returns to Galatia (49-50) 1. Timothy, from Lystra, circumcised, becomes associate of Paul (Acts 16:1-3) 2. Decree of Holy Spirit read in churches, churches strengthened (Acts 16:4-6) B. Paul again returns to Galatia (Acts 18:23, ca. 53-54) 1. Strengthens churches 2. Gives decree for collection (1 Corinthians 16:1)? C. NT reveals no other visits by Paul to Galatia 1. Possibly between Roman imprisonments, but not likely (ca. 62-64) 2. Galatians did not see Paul again D. Other NT evidence 1. Crescens, associate of Paul, was in Galatia ca. 64 (2 Timothy 4:10) 2. Galatia one of regions that Peter addresses letter, 1 Peter 1:1 E. Save Galatian letter, no other information on churches in Galatia in NT VI. Galatia and the Judaizing Apostasy A. Some point after his last visit, "Judaizers" come to Galatia 1. Jewish Christians, possibly from Jerusalem 2. Begin teaching the need for Gentile Christians to be circumcised (Galatians 5:1-4) 3. Also advocate following of days, other traditions (Galatians 4:8-10) 4. Contention about the matter (Galatians 5:16), although "Judaizers" seem to have an advantage 5. Doubts cast on origins of Paul's gospel (Galatians 1:11-12) B. Paul hears of this at Ephesus, ca. 55-57 1. Taken completely by surprise 2. Astounded at their quick departure from the truth (Galatians 1:6) 3. Perplexed at them (Galatians 4:20) 4. Unable to come to them, thus he writes the letter (Galatians 4:20) C. Paul's Defense to the Galatians 1. Gospel received from God and revelation, later conference with Jerusalem Apostles (Galatians 1:1-2:10) 2. Stood up to Cephas in Antioch (Galatians 2:11-14) 3. Superiority of covenant with Christ, ending of the old (Galatians 3-4) 4. Circumcision requires following the whole law, ending in fall from grace (Galatians 5:1-4) 5. Paul's pain and suffering manifest in passages like Galatians 4:8-20, 5:7-11 D. Sharp letter 1. Demonstration of a strong relationship with brethren in Galatia 2. 2 Corinthians, similar context, not as sharp E. Accepted 1. Paul sent Crescens to Galatia (2 Timothy 4:10) 2. Indication that Galatians repented of their deeds, returned to Gospel 3. Nevertheless, a good warning for all of us VI. General Instruction in Galatians A. Paul also provides instruction to remind the Galatians of what he has already taught B. Galatians 5:16-26: walk by the Spirit 1. flesh vs. Spirit, "works of the flesh" vs. "fruit of the Spirit" 2. Galatians 5:24 a summation 3. Concern over personal morality and conduct C. Galatians 6:1-10: accountability and good work 1. Need to restore those who have fallen, be concerned for oneself (6:1) 2. Bear one another's burdens (6:2) 3. Concern not for oneself, but the needs of others (3-10) D. Paul's concerns manifest 1. Christians need to strive for personal holiness... 2. ...but not focus solely on oneself, but always abounding in good works and benevolence VII. Conclusion A. Churches in Galatia started under persecution, yet began as stable in the faith 1. Jews jealous of Gentiles, persecuted the work 2. Gentiles did not understand the nature of the Gospel 3. Yet the brethren well-established and successful B. Yet when false teachers came, they accepted them 1. Paul has every reason to be dumbfounded and perplexed! 2. They stood firm in the truth for about a decade, and all of a sudden accept Judaizers? 3. Paul did not teach this, and they knew what the Holy Spirit decreed 4. Nevertheless, they were "bewitched"! C. A sober reminder 1. While we rejoice in their repentance, a good reminder to us 2. False teachings can infiltrate anywhere 3. Not just young churches, even established and stable ones 4. The whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) must continually be taught 5. Constant vigilance needed against error D. Let us learn from the example of Galatia E. Invitation/songbook