Off the Shelf Sunday School--Galatians

The Gift of the Holy Spirit (3:1-5)

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

 1.     Paul attempts to shake them by calling them foolish and bewitched by evil. Many times, shortly after being born-again through faith in Jesus, the devil puts doubts into the mind like “You are not really saved! It isn’t that easy!” This may unsettle new Christians and make them susceptible to teachers who say that they must prove that they are saved by doing good works or manifesting the presence of the Holy Spirit. The way to be certain is to go to the Bible. Do you love to read the Bible like a new-born child craves milk? Has there been changes in your thinking that align with the Bible? Do you like to be with other born-again Christians? Most of all, do you sense the presence of the Holy Spirit within you? (2 Cor 13:5)

2.  Paul tells the Galatian Christians to recall that they received the Holy Spirit by faith when they heard the gospel. There was no human effort involved! The Holy Spirit convicts sinners and makes them see that they are totally lost and helpless. This produces a powerful desire to “get right with God.” The solution is then revealed through the gospel of faith in Jesus Christ. This is eagerly accepted and results in a spiritual birth (salvation).

3.  New Christians many times experience persecution by their friends and family. This happens for a variety of reasons such as family traditions, religious differences, or changes in habits or thinking. The gospel causes divisions and brings persecution. (Mt 10:34-36; 24:9; 2 Tim 3:12)