What is mentioned about the law and gospel? How do they differ from each other, while at the same time complementing each other? Like you say Paul teaches concerning the things of the church, Peter describes the Christ to the Judaizer. What then is the overall message we need to hear and understand?
What was the Judaizers message? Circumcision was the 'big thing' ( Gal 5): one could never be a true Christian unless he was first circumcised. They also needed to adhere to the various rites & ceremonies as prescribed by Law ( Gal 4:9,10).
Thirdly, with the above in mind (the limitations & brevity of the Law and to be warned about wrong teaching entering in), Paul then asks, "Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" ( Gal 3:2). Did the Law, whether found in the 10 Commandments or in the strict observance of religious days, events, sacrifices or ceremonies, ever minister to them the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus? With the limitations of the Law & by its design & expiry date, why would a believer ever appeal to that faded Law when the Life-giving Spirit because of Jesus Christ, was their possession: from the Spirit Who speaks & ministers to the heart & not by the letter of the Law? ( Romans 7:6; 2 Corinthians 3:6).
You ask: "What then is the overall message we need to hear and understand?" The pressing message from the apostle is clearly in Galatians 5:1: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage". Though most of us don't have a Jewish heritage hanging over us, yet how many other believers still want to appeal to the Law (maybe not as the Judaizers did), but certainly when it comes to the strict adherence to each Law, even the Sabbath in particular, lest they fail from the Grace of God. If that were the case, then as Paul would say in Romans 11:6: "And if by grace, then is it no more of works (conforming to the Law): otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."
What a life & a liberty that Jesus has gained for us - yet so many Christians today desire to place a yoke of bondage upon us thereby weakening or negating the liberty we have through faith only, in Jesus.
Fred, I think you may be referring to my earlier comments to the enquirer about why Paul wrote to the Galatians. If not, & your comments here are of a general nature & not directed to me, I apologize.
But if could write a few things to what you've written. It's probably good to stay with Galatians, since Paul is quite thorough in his teaching of the Law vs Grace. And this was so, as you noted, that the Church(es) there were being infiltrated by these proponents of the necessity of keeping the Law in all its forms coupled with embracing the freedom that the believer has in Christ.
Firstly, the Law can never complement the Gospel of Grace - they are opposed to each other in both meaning & application. If searching hard for a connection, it would have to be that both are from the same Author: given at different times & for different outcomes. The Law by its very nature & objective was given because "of transgressions till the Seed should come" (3:19). The Law was given to Israel so that they might know God's requirements for them, to be made aware of the nature & effects of sin ( Romans 7:9) & the compulsion to deal with it with sacrifices which diverted God's Anger & Judgement upon them. This was a continual offering because sin was a continual burden to the soul. The sacrifices & odours were acceptable to God in view of the One great & perfect Offering made & given by God that would be offered once & for all people ( Hebrews 10:10,12,14).
Secondly, Paul's dealing with the Judaizers was very stern, because any fusing of the old Jewish Law with the New Covenant through Jesus would never work. Paul even appealed to Abraham ( Galatians 3:6-18) to show that God accepted him for his faith, & the blessings to the (gentile) nations could only come based on that faith alone. If what we inherit came by obedience to the Law, then it would no longer be "by promise", as what was assured to Abraham.
What was the Judaizers message? Circumcision was the 'big thing' ( Gal 5): one could never be a true Christian unless he was first circumcised. They also needed to adhere to the various rites & ceremonies as prescribed by Law ( Gal 4:9,10).
Thirdly, with the above in mind (the limitations & brevity of the Law and to be warned about wrong teaching entering in), Paul then asks, "Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" ( Gal 3:2). Did the Law, whether found in the 10 Commandments or in the strict observance of religious days, events, sacrifices or ceremonies, ever minister to them the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus? With the limitations of the Law & by its design & expiry date, why would a believer ever appeal to that faded Law when the Life-giving Spirit because of Jesus Christ, was their possession: from the Spirit Who speaks & ministers to the heart & not by the letter of the Law? ( Romans 7:6; 2 Corinthians 3:6).
You ask: "What then is the overall message we need to hear and understand?" The pressing message from the apostle is clearly in Galatians 5:1: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage". Though most of us don't have a Jewish heritage hanging over us, yet how many other believers still want to appeal to the Law (maybe not as the Judaizers did), but certainly when it comes to the strict adherence to each Law, even the Sabbath in particular, lest they fail from the Grace of God. If that were the case, then as Paul would say in Romans 11:6: "And if by grace, then is it no more of works (conforming to the Law): otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."
What a life & a liberty that Jesus has gained for us - yet so many Christians today desire to place a yoke of bondage upon us thereby weakening or negating the liberty we have through faith only, in Jesus.
Fred, I think you may be referring to my earlier comments to the enquirer about why Paul wrote to the Galatians. If not, & your comments here are of a general nature & not directed to me, I apologize.
But if could write a few things to what you've written. It's probably good to stay with Galatians, since Paul is quite thorough in his teaching of the Law vs Grace. And this was so, as you noted, that the Church(es) there were being infiltrated by these proponents of the necessity of keeping the Law in all its forms coupled with embracing the freedom that the believer has in Christ.
Firstly, the Law can never complement the Gospel of Grace - they are opposed to each other in both meaning & application. If searching hard for a connection, it would have to be that both are from the same Author: given at different times & for different outcomes. The Law by its very nature & objective was given because "of transgressions till the Seed should come" (3:19). The Law was given to Israel so that they might know God's requirements for them, to be made aware of the nature & effects of sin ( Romans 7:9) & the compulsion to deal with it with sacrifices which diverted God's Anger & Judgement upon them. This was a continual offering because sin was a continual burden to the soul. The sacrifices & odours were acceptable to God in view of the One great & perfect Offering made & given by God that would be offered once & for all people ( Hebrews 10:10,12,14).
Secondly, Paul's dealing with the Judaizers was very stern, because any fusing of the old Jewish Law with the New Covenant through Jesus would never work. Paul even appealed to Abraham ( Galatians 3:6-18) to show that God accepted him for his faith, & the blessings to the (gentile) nations could only come based on that faith alone. If what we inherit came by obedience to the Law, then it would no longer be "by promise", as what was assured to Abraham.
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