Letters to the Church

The Letter to the Galatians is Paul’s response to a controversy that had developed among the congregations of Galatia. At issue was the status of Gentile believers. Must they conform to Jewish practices and submit to the regulations of the Mosaic Law to become members of the covenant community, especially the rite of circumcision ?

Après sa résurrection, Jésus a déclaré: “ Tout pouvoir m'a été donné au ciel et sur la terre, allez donc faire des disciples de toutes les nations! ” Il envoya ensuite ses disciples annoncer son salut jusqu'aux “ extrémités de la Terre .” L'Ère du Salut a commencé avec sa Mort et sa Résurrection. Son message vivifiant doit être annoncé à tous les hommes. Le Messie d'Israël a libéré son peuple de l'esclavage du péché et du cycle sans fin de la mort!

After his resurrection, Jesus declared: “ All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations! ” He then sent his disciples to announce his salvation to the “ ends of the Earth .” The Era of Salvation commenced with his Death and Resurrection. His life-giving message must be announced to all men. The Messiah of Israel has liberated his people from bondage to sin and the never-ending cycle of death!

The jurisdiction of the Mosaic regulations over the covenant community reached its limit with the arrival of Jesus, the Seed of Abraham . In responding to claims that Gentiles must be circumcised, Paul appealed to the common experience of the Spirit received by the Galatians.  Did they receive the Gift through a “ hearing of faith ” or “ from the works of the Law ?”  Having begun in the Spirit, why did they seek the “ completion ” of their faith based on “ flesh ” by submitting to circumcision?

The power and wisdom of God are revealed in the proclamation of the Messiah who was crucified on a Roman cross . Jesus performed miracles, exorcised demons, and taught with great authority, often attracting large crowds. Nevertheless, his contemporaries failed to recognize who he was regardless of such displays of power. In the end, only the Roman centurion at Golgotha perceived him to be the “ Son of God ” when the Nazarene breathed his last.