Galatians Introduction

Galatians Introduction

Wednesday Bible Study Notes

Galatians - Introduction

Why read the Epistle to the Galatians?  God wants to establish the righteousness of faith, so that we may have a perfect knowledge and know the difference between Christian righteousness and all other kinds of righteousness.

What other kinds of righteousness are there?  

1. There is a political righteousness, which the emperor, the princes of the world, philosophers, and lawyers consider

2. There is also a ceremonial righteousness, which human traditions teach.  Parents and teachers may teach this righteousness without danger, because they do not attribute to it any power to make satisfaction for sin, to placate God, and to earn grace; but they teach that these ceremonies are necessary only for moral discipline and for certain observances.

3. There is, in addition to these, yet another righteousness, the righteousness of [the Law or of ]the Decalog, which Moses teaches. We, too, teach this, but after the doctrine of faith.

Note:  these kinds of the righteousness of works are gifts of God, as are all the things we have.

God will teach us faith-righteousness in this Bible study.  Therefore it is appropriate to call the righteousness of faith [or christian righteousness] “passive.” This is a righteousness hidden in a mystery, which the world does not understand. in fact, christians themselves do not adequately understand it or grasp it in the midst of their temptations. therefore it must always be taught and continually exercised. and anyone who does not grasp or take hold of it in afflictions and terrors of conscience cannot stand. For there is no comfort of conscience so solid and certain as is this passive righteousness.

What is the problem?  When the Law shows us our sin, our past life immediately comes to our mind. Then the sinner, in his great anguish of mind, groans and says to himself: “Oh, how damnably I have lived!  If only I could live longer! Then I would amend my life.” Thus human reason cannot refrain from looking at active righteousness, that is, its own righteousness; nor can it shift its gaze to passive, that is, Christian righteousness, but it simply rests in the active righteousness. So deeply is this evil rooted in us, and so completely have we acquired this unhappy habit!

It is a marvelous thing and unknown to the world to teach Christians to ignore the Law and to live before God as though there were no Law whatever. For if you do not ignore the Law and thus direct your thoughts to grace as though there were no Law but as though there were nothing but grace, you cannot be saved. “For through the Law comes knowledge of sin” (Rom. 3:20). On the other hand, works and the performance of the Law must be demanded in the world as though there were no promise or grace. This is because of the stubborn, proud, and hardhearted, before whose eyes nothing must be set except the Law, in order that they may be terrified and humbled. For the Law was given to terrify and kill the stubborn and to exercise the old man.  Both words must be correctly divided, according to the apostle (2 Tim. 2:25 ff.).

Martin Luther, Luther’s Works, Vol. 26: Lectures on Galatians, 1535, Chapters 1-4, ed. Jaroslav Jan Pelikan, Hilton C. Oswald, and Helmut T. Lehmann, vol. 26 (Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1999), 6.

Acts 1:6-14 The Ascension

Acts 1 6-14 The Ascension

Sunday Bible Study

Acts 1:6-14

September 16, 2018

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Kingdom of Israel. The apostles are understanding this phrase as a restoration of religious teaching at the temple and their release from Roman rule.

Lord. It is more than a title but also has the Biblical meaning of Savior.  (Yahweh)

Times or seasons.  Times are long stretches.  Since Christ’s Ascension, we live in the End Times until the Last Day.  Some groups speak of the ages. Some argue that the New Testament doesn’t concern us because Jesus was teaching to a different age.  Some speak of “millenia” and are concerned about the pre or post millenium return of Jesus. The New Testament (and Old) are for all times.  The majority of the Christian church around the world holds to a solid Scriptural “amilenialism”. Seasons are shorter stretches of time, for example, the summer season or the winter season.  All of these times are seasons are known only to our Father.

You will receive power.  The apostles will receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  The Holy Spirit will give them a specific power - they are witnesses to proclaim Christ.  The apostles will fill the world with their preaching and writing. Their witness is not just for their time but for the church in all times and places until the coming of Jesus.

You shall be witnesses to Me.  In the sense that the apostles were witnesses to Christ no one else can be.  They were eyewitnesses to all Jesus to all the great things Jesus said and did that cannot be repeated.  They received the gift of inspiration (John 14:26; 15:26-27) to witness about Jesus, not themselves. No one else has received this gift since the apostles.  However, the apostle Peter tells us that we have something better than their eyewitness, we have the Holy Scriptures which are inspired and inerrant (2Peter 1:19-21).  So the apostles confirmed the miracles with their eyewitness and recorded that confirmed eyewitness for all in this end time. And now you have the inspired and inerrant eyewitness recorded which gives all baptized and believing people to be witnesses of all that Jesus said and did.  The witness continues. You have received this power (Holy Spirit) who gives faith through this witness (Holy Scripture).

Jesus Ascends to Heaven

9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

He was taken up Jesus bodily rises until hidden by a cloud.  This is as much as a miracle as Jesus’ conception (by Holy Spirit) birth (of the virgin Mary) crucified, suffered, and died (under Pontius Pilate) descended (into hell) rose from the dead (on the third day) ascended (into heaven) seated (at the right hand of God).  He didn’t keep going up and up. He bodily entered heaven (unseen creation).

While they looked...two men stood by them in white apparel  Angels confirm this mighty act of Jesus even while it is occuring.  Luke also records two angels appearing in Luke 24:4 to confirm the resurrection of Jesus.  Great artists depict angels as men, both beautiful and strong. This is Biblical.

This same Jesus...will also come in like manner.  Jesus will return bodily from heaven on the last day too.  We speak of Jesus coming to us bodily in three ways. He came the first time at His birth (Christmas).  He will come on the Last Day in the same manner He ascended into heaven. Third, He comes to us bodily in the mean of grace, most specifically in Holy Communion.  The culmination of Luke Gospel is that Jesus appeared on the road to Emmaus. He explained the Scriptures (preach and teach) but their eyes were opened and they knew Him in the breaking of the bread (Holy Communion).

The Upper Room Church Service

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Unlike the saints, Jesus is both in heaven and on earth, even in His resurrected body.  Heaven is where Jesus is. Jesus continues to serve on earth by means of His Word. Jesus is bodily with us.  He is Immanuel - God with us. Let us pray…..

Introduction to the Epistle of James

Introduction to the Epistle of St. James

The Epistle (Letter) of James

Introduction

July 29, 2018

The letter was written sometime between 35 and 50 A.D.

It is written during the first persecution of the church, encouraging Jewish-Christians to remain faithful.

Jesus rose in 33 A.D.  Stephen was martyred in 35 A.D.  The Apostolic Conference in Jerusalem, which settled the Jewish-Gentile problem, took place in 52 A.D.

The letter was written by James to Jewish Christians in the diaspora before the Jewish-Gentile problem.  There is no doctrine that is addressed in-depth. There is no doctrine that contradicts any doctrine in the rest of the Bible, even the doctrine of justification by faith.

Who is James?  Here is a sketch but as R.C. Lenski wrote: We might precipitate the reader into the thorny brush from which very few have emerged without having had their exegetical robes badly torn.

He is not the apostle James the son of Zebedee who is also the brother to the apostle John.

In Galatians 1:19, Paul calls James “the brother of the Lord.”

In 1 Corinthians 9:5, Paul speaks of the fact that “the brothers of the Lord” had wives.

In Matthew 13:55, 12:46, and Mark 6:3, four brothers and several sisters are mentioned.  The word “brothers” is thought to solve the problem and any argument against is due to Roman reverence of Mary and the teaching of semper virgo.  Protestants don’t have undue reverence for Mary but might come to a similar conclusion…

Nowhere is it written: the sons or children of Mary or of Joseph and Mary.

In Matthew 13:55-56 and Mark 6:3, the people of Nazareth ask “Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.  The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 6:3.

In Acts 1:14, These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.  The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Ac 1:14.

In John 19:25, Jesus commits His mother to the apostle John.  Why does He not commit them to James (the author of the letter) or Jude (the author of Jude) or to the other brothers or sisters.  It is written in John 7:5 that even His brothers did not believe in Him. The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Jn 7:5.  But James believed when Jesus appeared to James after the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7).

To say that “His brother’s” equals “Mary gave birth to” is to beg the question.

Certainty is not possible.  But here are a few suggestions:

Mary’s sister could be the mother of these other children.  Two widows could share one house and raise the children. John 19:25.

Joseph could be the father by an earlier marriage.  But little evidence for this.

So, you may hold to semper virgo or not.  You may argue from the facts but not definitively.

Is James an apostle?

In Galatians 1:19, James is not considered as an apostle.  But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.  The addition except James the Lord’s brother does not mean that he did see another apostle but that he saw one other man, a leading person who was so important that he should be named along with Peter.  The other man is James. So, Paul distinguishes James from the other apostles, however, in Galatians 2:9, he mentions him before Peter and John as one of the pillars of the church.  (By this time James the son of Zebedee is dead).

James is the chief elder of the congregation at Jerusalem from its beginning until his death in the mid-60’s.  He presided at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). He summed up the council and informed the congregations.  In Acts 13:17, Peter sends word to James of his escape from Herod. In Gal. 1:19, 2:9-12, and Acts 21:18, James is in the same position in Jerusalem.  In 1 Corinthians 15:7, Jesus appeared after His resurrection to James. This is when James first believed.

Jerusalem’s population (estimate) during the time of Jesus was about 25,000 (the size of our Muscatine today). The number of Jewish Christians at the time of the persecution (estimate) was about 5,000.  This is about 20% of the cities population. These Jewish-Christians were gathering in synagogues (house churches) that confessed Jesus as Messiah to receive the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:46) but also took part in the temple worship with the Jews.  These synagogues/house churches usually gathered in up to 50 congregants. This means (estimate) that there were about 100 pastors for about 100 congregations of 50ish people each. These congregations did not view themselves as separated congregations but as the church in Jerusalem.  At first, the apostles (Peter and James the son of Zebedee) served as the pastors of this church but elders were eventually established to care for each congregation such as Stephen and James (the author). After Peter was exiled and James, son of Zebedee, died, James received oversight of the church (Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:17-18) but was never considered an apostle.

The Epistle of James is part of the New Testament canon.  It was circulated among the Gentiles later than other epistles even though it was the earliest epistle written.  Luther called it a “strawy epistle” but always accepted it as canonical. The Romans tried to use James chapter 2 to argue against Romans chapter 3 concerning justification by faith.  Upon a closer look, they agree on Christ’s teaching. We will examine that later.

Isaiah 63 Bible Study Notes

Isaiah 63 Bible Study Notes

Isaiah 63

January 17, 2017

This chapter follows the pattern of Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  Threats are spoken to those who have heard the Gospel but do not believe.  This chapter presents an angry God.  Vengeance for unbelief belongs to Him.

The Warrior Savior

1 Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? "It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save."  2 Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress?  3 "I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel.  4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come.

In Isaiah 34:6, Edom is the slaughter. Edom denotes the ungodly synagog.  This has to do with the devastation of the synagog.  Esau is the father of the Edomites.  Esau wanted to kill his brother Jacob.  He also had no faith in Christ.  This is a frightening thing for Isaiah’s Israel.  They thought they had a Savior.  However, the One they thought was coming to save them is now coming to destroy them. And yet He welcomes those who believe in Him.

Who Has No Army

5 I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold; so my own arm brought me salvation, and my wrath upheld me.  6 I trampled down the peoples in my anger; I made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth."  

You don’t want to receive salvation in Christ, then you will  receive the One from Edom with stained garments.

Remembering the Grace of God

7 I will recount the steadfast love of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.  8 For he said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely." And he became their Savior.  9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

During sad times we remember sad things and during happy times we remember happy things.  Christians should recall the promises of God during sad times and recall the threats of God during happy times.  This is what Isaiah does when he sees that most of his brothers are about to perish.  Similarly, Paul says that the destruction of his brothers is deserved but that does not mean the Word of God failed.  Romans 9:6.  But in his sorrow, Paul recalls the former gracious acts of God. There is a work of the angels for our benefit, and this must always be preached. If we did not have their help, things would be different.

The Problem

10 But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.

Remembering the Works of God

11 Then he remembered the days of old, of Moses and his people. Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put in the midst of them his Holy Spirit, 12 who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name, 13 who led them through the depths? Like a horse in the desert, they did not stumble.  14 Like livestock that go down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name.

A Prayer

15 Look down from heaven and see, from your holy and beautiful habitation. Where are your zeal and your might? The stirring of your inner parts and your compassion are held back from me.  16 For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.  17 O LORD, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage.  18 Your holy people held possession for a little while; our adversaries have trampled down your sanctuary.  19 We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name.

Hymn #209 TLH - An Easter Hymn

Who Is This That Comes From Edom

Who is this that comes from Edom, all His raiment stained with blood,

To the captive speaking freedom, bringing and bestowing good,

Glorious in the garb He wears, glorious in the spoil He bears?

‘Tis the Savior, now victorious, trav’ling onward in His might;

‘Tis the Savior; oh, how glorious to His people is the sight!

Satan conquered and the grave, Jesus now is strong to save.

Why that blood His raiment staining?  ‘Tis the blood of many slain;

Of His foes there’s none remaining, none the contest to maintain.

Fall’n they are, no more to rise; all their glory prostrate lies.

Mighty Victor, reign forever, wear the crown so dearly won;

Never shall Thy people, never, cease to sing what Thou hast done.

Thou hast fought Thy people’s foes; Thou hast healed Thy people’s woes.  Amen.