INTRODUCTION TO GALATIANS
The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Galatian churches which were pioneered during his first missionary journey as recorded in Acts chapters 13 and 14. It was probably written between 49 and 56 A.D. and may have been written very early in his ministry. Though shorter in length than many of his letters, Galatians has many similarities in theme, style, and composition to the gospels, as do Romans and 1 and 2 Corinthians.
In Galatians, Paul addresses a vocal group of Jews from Jerusalem who opposed him and challenged his credibility. They deceived the Galatian Christians into believing they needed to follow Jewish law in order to be accepted by God and into fellowship with Jewish Christians. Paul tore down these lies in this epistle. Christ died for the sins of all people. He set us free. (5:1) We are saved only by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. (2:16) Our new life in Christ is revealed, not by following ceremonies and rituals, but by the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
May the study of Galatians grow us into deeper fellowship with Jesus and with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

1. Sent by God and by Jesus Christ (1-5)

Paul was writing to a church in which his ministry and teachings were attacked. Paul initiated his letter by reminding his readers who he was. He was an apostle. An apostle is one who was personally chosen by Jesus to take his message to others. And Paul said that he was not chosen by men, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father. Paul would proclaim the gospel to the Galatians by the authority of Jesus Christ and God the Father. The message Paul brought was one of grace and peace, which we received because Jesus gave himself for our sins.

2. There is only one gospel (6-10)

Paul wasted no time in getting to the point. He was astonished that the Galatians were abandoning the gospel for another one. There is only one gospel. Anything other than the one true gospel cannot save. Paul said that anyone preaching any gospel other than the one true gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ, is condemned. Why was Paul so adamant? The gospel is a life or death matter.


Application: Lord, thank you for Jesus who died on the cross to save us from our sins. Help us to hold to this gospel alone.
One Word: Only one gospel