APOPLECTIC
The Temple Model:
*was built around a standard that only the elite could meet
*required followers to come there to make peace with God
*were nation specific
Our consciences determine religious realities whether they reflect reality or not.
They attempted to assimilate the Jesus model into the temple model.
Judaizers - Jewish Christians who believed gentiles must convert to Judaism to join the Jesus movement.
Apoplectic - a"pop"lectic
The message of Jesus would be deluded, denuded & polluted.
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. Gal. 5:1-4 NLT
For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. Gal. 5:6 NLT
You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! Gal. 5:7-9 NLT
It only takes a small does of the wrong thing to corrupt the whole thing.
I just wish that those troublemakers who want to mutilate you by circumcision would mutilate themselves. Gal. 5:12 NLT
Paul knew that:
-leaders would become self-righteous
-followers would become hypocrites
-the text would become manipulated
-people would be mistreated
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Gal. 5:13 NLT
For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Gal. 5:14 NLT