Galatians Class, Chapter 1 - Participants Guide

Distortion of the Gospel

Galatians 1
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I. Introduction
A. The Nature of Truth
Have you heard this argument?
It does not matter what you believe as long as you are sincere
What is wrong with that approach?

1. You can be sincere and be sincerely wrong!

Right now the philosophy is,

Let us accept everything: PLURALISM

Christianity is the statement which if false is of no importance. If true, it is of

infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important
-C.S. Lewis
2. If Christianity is true, it is of infinite importance
3. _______________ is very inclusive and exclusive
Today in universities, they are teaching people that there is
NO such thing as ABSOLUTE TRUTH...Everything is relative.

B. Background of the Book of Galatians

1. Main Theme: Defending the GOSPEL
The word GOSPEL means EVANGELIO which means GOOD NEWS
2. Outline of the Book of Galatians
Chap
ter
1
2
3
4
5
6

General Outline
Distortion of the Gospel
Defense of his (Pauls) Authority
Deliberation with Leaders
Definition of the Gospel
Law and The Gospel
Legalism and the Gospel
Freedom and the Gospel
Holy Spirit and the Gospel

Chapter
Themes
Defense of
the Gospel

Demonstrat
ion of the
Gospel

Galatians Class, Chapter 1 - Participants Guide

C. Your faith must be based on TRUTH..

..when it is based on truth it will do something in your life; it will change your
life...behavior follows
The Bible says..

..you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free (John 8:32)

II. The Defense of Pauls Authority and the Distortion of the

Gospel
A. The Defense of Pauls Authority

Galatians 1:1-4

How did he establish his authority?

1. Not sent from men..but ________________

Galatians 1:4
2. Jesus came not only to..
..die for our sins
..but He also came to _________________ us from the power of sin
Have you been delivered from the power of sin?

B. the Distortion of the Gospel

Galatians 1:6
What was the problem?

Galatians 1:7

1. The Problem was somebody was __________________ the Gospel!

If the Gospel was distorted in the time of the apostle Paul...how much more today? Is the
Gospel distorted?

Galatians 1:8
2. NO ONE can change the Gospel..
a. We (the apostles) cannot change the Gospel
b. An __________________ cannot change the Gospel
Galatians 1:9

C. The True Gospel

What is the true Gospel?

1. Jesus Christ DIED for our sins..

..because as far as God is concerned, the root problem of humanity is sin.

2. Jesus Christ was BURIED

3. Jesus Christ __________________ again: resurrection

1 Cor. 15:1-4

Galatians Class, Chapter 1 - Participants Guide

D. Testimony to Pauls Authority

Galatians 1:11-12

1. Pauls commission,
a. It (the Gospel) was not given to me by men
b. It was given..by direct revelation of Jesus Christ
What was the life of Paul?

Galatians 1:13
2. Pauls changed life
Formerly,

a. Paul was someone who hates Christianity

Galatians 1:14
b. Paul was being promoted (for persecuting Christians)
c. Paul was zealous for his ancestral traditions (Judaism)
Galatians 1:15
At the right time, God said...its time to CHANGE!

The Gospel can _________________ people!

Galatians 1:16

III. Galatians 1 Chapter Summary

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

You cannot change the Gospel

The Gospel is timeless truth is timeless
Distorting the Gospel leads to condemnation
Trusting the wrong gospel leads to eternal destruction
The Gospel is always under attack

Discussion Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.

What is the Gospel?

Why is it vital to know the true Gospel of grace?
Have you tried changing a bad habit out of self effort? What happened?
How does the bondage of sin affect us?