“Freedom From Bondage”: an inductive Bible study through the book of Galatians to help us break free from any and all “bondage” that prevents us from receiving the blessings of Yahweh God in our lives.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching,

for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

2 Timothy 3:16

In Galatians Chapter 3:1-5 Apostle Paul chastises the Galatians by questioning if they received Holy Spirit by way of observing “laws”.

Galatians 3:1-5

1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?

2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

What was Paul referring to when he said “the Law†in V.2? Probably the laws of Judaism as clearly expressed in  Gal. 2:4 & 12.

Galatians 2:4

But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.

Galatians 2:12

For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision.

While some commentators use the words “Jewish Christians” to describe who these people were, in the context of Apostle Paul’s letter this seems a bit like saying the “sun bathing snow man”.  While “Jews” by culture may be Christian, Jews by “religion” simply can not be; in that case, one would either be a “Jew” or a “Christian”.

In the context of which Apostle Paul is writing, a person could no more be a “Jewish Christian then they could be a “muslim” Christian. He was clearly referring to Judaisers.

The Judaisers were not Christians. They did not follow “the Law†as Yahweh God intended.  They were Jews of the Jewish religion.

In Matthew 5:38  Jesus / Yeshua said “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’  What He was doing was helping people understand that the intention of Torah was to foster a loving relationship rather than follow the letter of law in order to be legalistic and religious.  That is what the Judaizers taught.   This is EXACTLY what Apostle Paul was fighting when he said “you foolish Galatiansâ€.

The Holy Books of Judaism include:

Torah = First five books of the Bible

The Mishna =  (“Repeated Studyâ€) = Oral Law passed down from generation to generation was assembled in a collection know as the Mishna.

The Talmud = a commentary on the Mishna. The words of scholars (amoraim) who studied the Mishna, made comments explaining the Oral Law, this became known as the Gemara or Talmud.

The Zohar = several units, the largest of which (usually called the Zohar proper) deals with the “inner†(mystical, symbolic) meaning of biblical texts

In the “Renewed Covenant†(New Testament) there are over 30 references to “Scriptureâ€.  Was Apostle Paul opposed to “Scripture”?  Obviously not.

Romans 7:7

What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.”

Matthew 5:18

“For truly I say to you until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Mark 10:3

And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?”

1 John 3:4

Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.

James 2:9

But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

Apostle Paul is obviously not against “the Scripturesâ€.  Only a few verses down from Galatians 3:2 he affirms them.

Galatians 3:8

The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.”

It wasn’t the Scriptures that were the problem with the “Old Testament”, it was the people who didn’t follow them with faith.

Hebrews 4:2

For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.

The term  “Old Testament†was invented by a second century heretic by the name of Marcion.  Even those of the time did not accept his views.

Although historian Polycarp referred to him as the “first born of the Devilâ€, his false, anti-Torah theology is still being adhered to.

The “Torah” is the foundation of all of the Bible.

Torah / Pentateuch = 1st five Books , The Hebrew noun Torah (# H8451) is derived from the root yarah (# H3384) which has multiple meanings direction, instruction, teaching, /

To the Jews Torah = Holy Books

Psalm 119:1

How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the Torah (law) of Yahweh.

Psalm 119:11

Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

Psalm 119:18

Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your Torah.

John 4:24

“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

1 Corinthians 11:23

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;

1 Corinthians 11:27

Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner (purposely living contrary to Torah), shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.

The Primary purpose of Torah is to show us what love is.

Matthew 22:36-39

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”

37 And He said to him, ” ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ (the first 4 Commandments)

38 “This is the great and foremost commandment.

39 “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ (the last six commandments)

Deuteronomy 6:5

“You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Leviticus 19:18

~’You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am Yahweh.

This is only a very brief synopsis of a few of the high points covered during this very freeing study.

To review, or if you were unable to attend, catch up by listening to the audio recording below. Much more detailed information in regards to the abundant life that only Yeshua has to offer is available for free.

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I’ll see you out in the field,

Parson Rayphe

www.ParsonRayphe.Com ~ Pastor & Pastoral Counselor ministering deliverance, health and healing to spirit, soul and body

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