“Not Bound, But Free”

One of the earliest written epistles, the book of Galatians was largely addressed to people of Celtic Gaul descent, who were heavily influenced by the more dominant cultures around them. This meant that their own worldview was mixed with other pagan belief systems, as well as an errant, supposedly Christian view. This supposedly Christian view was propagated by a faction known as the Judaizers. While purporting to be Christian, they maintained Judaism’s doctrine of works, having to measure up, according to the Law. They felt confident in their own past obedience, but required Gentile converts to Christianity, like the Celtic Gauls, to be circumcised physically as a prerequisite of salvation. So, as people came to faith in Christ, their previous worldviews influenced their biblical understanding negatively and they were pressured into an erroneous doctrine of both achieving and maintaining salvation.

The apostle Paul wrote the letter known as Galatians to correct and teach them an accurate biblical worldview. Of particular note, especially for this series, Paul addresses justification by faith alone, Christian freedom from the law and living by the Holy Spirit.