Dear Friends,
The Tuesday Morning Bible Study of Winter Park Presbyterian Church is beginning a study of the Letter to the Galatians. Paul's letter is a moving witness to God's grace. Within it he confronts the tendency or religious groups to set boundaries, define who is in and who is out, and limit the scope of God's work. God, of course, cannot be limited by us! Paul declares that in Christ, God has set us free, free to truly be heirs of God.
The letter is interesting because it offers an additional witness to some of the early conversations, controversies, and even conflicts of the young church. Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus and the "Council of Jerusalem" as described from a 1st person perspective. It is fascinating to compare the accounts to those given by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles. Paul's words stand out as a witness to the power of God's grace.
At points in the letter, Paul does get quite grumpy. He is truly frustrated that other teachers have come into the Galatian churches to impose their reading of the law onto the believers there. It makes for an interesting read!
Of the entire letter, though, it is 3:28 which truly grabs my attention, the declaration that "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus" is perhaps one of the most earth shaking of the scriptures. It might also be candidate for the most frequently ignored in the scriptures. To a church that has frequently asserted racial, ethnic, economic, and gender boundaries either explicitly or implicitly, this is a bold statement, but it is also a wonderful vision of the body of Christ. Though humans have found many, many ways to divide themselves, God's grace calls us towards unity and love.
As we go through our study, we will also encounter other famous words of Paul. We will read "It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me." (2:20 NRSV) We will read of the fruits of the spirit (5:22-23). We will be commanded to bear one another's burdens (6:2). Galatians is rich soil for the nurture of our faith!
Come Tuesdays at 9:15am to the Andrew Howell classroom. All are welcome!!!
Grace and Peace,
Emile
(This Study Concluded on December 17th, 2013. The next study on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John begins on January 7th. All are welcome!)
