Holy Scriptures and Israel

Gideon Levytam: Please take your Bibles again. This ministry meeting is in the book of Galatians today. So, I would like you please to turn to the book of Galatians and we are studying of course in Galatians chapter 3 for this ministry meeting this Saturday, the Shabbat meeting. I would like to read the first 14 verses of Galatians chapter 3 and we're going to follow up as we continuing in the study of this wonderful book or letter that Shaul Paul wrote to the early believers in the region of Galatia. So, I'm reading Galatians chapter 3 and verse 1 and Paul says Oh, foolish Galatians who has bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth crucified among you.

This only would I learn of you receive ye the spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith. Are ye so foolish having begun in the spirit are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain if it be yet in vain? He therefore that ministers to you the spirit and works as miracle among you does he eat by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith? Even Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith the same are the children of Abraham.

And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith preach before the gospel unto Abraham saying in thee shall all the nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse. For it is written cursed is everyone that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God it is evident. For the just shall live by faith.

And the law is not of faith but the men that do with them shall live in them. Messiah has redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us. For it is written cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through the Yeshua Ha Mashiach that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith. And I'm stopping here in verse 14. Well, brothers and sisters, we are continuing right now on our study of the book of Galatians. We continue now in the third chapter.

We have covered by the grace of God the first two chapters of the book of Galatians and we learn in the first two chapters of the book of Galatians that the Apostle Paul was so shocked, you might say when he heard that the brethren in the region of Galatia these assembly of believers, Gentile believers mostly, whom he led them to come to know that Yeshua is the Messiah and then later on they were influenced by some who came from Jerusalem and told them that except they be circumcised and keep the law of Moses they are really not saved.

If you remember what he said in Galatians chapter 1 where he said in verse 6 I marvel, Galatians 1 6 that ye are so soon removed from him that call you into the grace of Messiah unto another gospel which is not another but there'll be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ, the gospel of Messiah. But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be anathema. In Hebrew is or a curse in English. In verse 9 it said and we have said before so I now say it again.

If any man preach any other gospel unto you then that which ye have received let him be a curse. Let him be let him be anathema. So, the Apostle Paul began in the first two chapters to share with the Galatians in the region of Galatia the importance of the fact by presenting before them the truth of the gospel that they should appreciate the fact that they became believers and they were saved and forgiven not because they have kept any laws or not because they have been circumcised. And for us today we can say not because they have been baptized or have been speaking in tongues or or keeping any men-made rules or any rule per se.

Salvation is strictly on the basis of the work of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. And Paul himself Jewish man, a Pharisee of the Pharisees, he shared with them in these two chapters, Galatians 1, Galatians 2, the fact that he himself initially rejected the message of the gospel but eventually the Lord spoke with him, revealed to him that Yeshua indeed is the Messiah he and he was gloriously saved to the work that Yeshua had accomplished when he died for him on the shameful cross. Now in Galatians chapter 3 and chapter 4 it's very interesting because now the Apostle Paul want to share with the Galatian believers not only his own personal experiences how he became a believer.

Now he's going back to the Bible, back to the Hebrew scriptures. He's going back to the Torah, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, to show the Galatians who were mostly pagan believers, Gentiles. But to show them that in biblical days, in days of old the Bible have already taught this way of salvation is only on the basis of faith and not on the basis of law keeping. So, you notice what he is beginning here in chapter 3 and I just want to highlight before you in Galatians 3 and Galatians chapter 4 a Paul present before the Galatians five arguments five arguments and he's proving to them that God forgave sinners on the basis of faith and not by the works of law, the law or any law.

Even in the days of old that the basis of forgiveness was always by faith in the God of the scriptures and what he had promised to his own. So, he takes them back to the past history of the people of Israel. And in chapter 3 and chapter 4 he based it upon scriptural argument in our passage that we going to study today, chapter 3 verses 1 to 14. Secondly, in chapter 3 verses 15 to 29 he gives them a logical argument to show them that salvation is by faith and not by works. Thirdly, in chapter 4 verses 1 to 11 he gives them an historical arguments pointing that even from history the olden people of old were saved on the basis of faith and not works.

Fourthly, he gives them a sentimental argument in chapter 4 verses 12 to 18 and finally in chapter 4 verses 19 to 31 he presents before them an allegorical argument to show them that salvation is entirely on the basis of faith in God and not of any human merit or any law keeping or any circumcision or anything else. To remind you that before we going to move along here that God's law is holy. God's law is high and perfect. God's law because who God is is spiritual. God's law is not to be compared with any human merit.

But the problem is not with God's law but God's law revealed to us the human nature that we have and only condemn us because we fail to submit 100% to the law of God. And that's why he gave us the sacrificial system because when an Israeli individual of old have sinned and disobeyed the law God gave in turn the sacrifice which made atonement for the sin of this Israeli and he was forgiven. So, the law was never given in order to save anyone but it was given to be presented before us the reality that we have in our own heart, the sin nature and that God is a holy and a righteous God who cannot look upon sin.

Paul said in Romans 7 that the law is just, the law is spiritual, the law is holy but I am carnal and I am sold under sin. And so now notice brothers and sisters how interesting it is. The Apostle here in this chapter 3 verses 1 to 14 give us the spiritual or scriptural argument to show us from the Hebrew scriptures, from the law, Genesis, book of Genesis, that Abraham our father was saved, was forgiven simply by believing God's word and accepting what he said. And so we read before he began to even speak about it he's puzzled.

And he asked six questions in verses 1 to 5 from this Galatians. He asked them those six questions that he wanted to know what made them what caused them instead of appreciating the grace of God and instead of appreciating the forgiveness of God on the basis of faith now they wanted to be they were influenced and that somebody came and told them no no no no you're not quite saved unless you are circumcised and keeping the law of Moses. Let me remind you in Acts chapter 15 and verse 1 we read and certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren and said except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses ye cannot be saved.

In verse 5 we find out in of Acts chapter 15 but there arose a certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed saying that it was needful to circumcise them and to commend them to keep the law of Moses. This is the Gentiles from the Galatia area, from the region of Galatia. A little bit further on we read in verse 11 we find that what Peter said. He said but we believed that through the grace of the Lord Jesus the Messiah we shall be saved even as they are. Peter was saying in the city of Jerusalem when there was the council gathering together about this matter.

And even further listen to verse 24 when James Jacob was speaking in this council he said in verse 24 for as much as we have heard that a certain which went out from us have troubled you with words subverting your soul saying ye must be circumcised and keep the law. And notice what James said to whom we gave no such commandment. James Jacob said we haven't told them to go down to say this to the Gentile believers. We Jewish, we are circumcised because God had given this to us as Jewish people in Abraham's days, in the law he had given to us but the the Gentiles were not commended to be circumcised.

It was a sign between God and this descendants, the physical descendants of Abraham but it was never given for salvation. It was given to identify the Jewish people, to remind them that they belong to a living God and they are responsible to submit to his authority. So, now notice brothers and sisters in Galatians 3 verses 1 2 3 4 and 5 Paul asks six questions. He began by saying notice verse 1 Galatians 3 and verse 1 Oh, foolish Galatians. That word for foolish Galatians it simply in the Hebrew we call it Khazrei Da'at simply mean they were spiritually dull.

They were believers. They accepted Yeshua the Messiah but they were spiritually dull. Somebody come tell them listen you got to be circumcised otherwise you're not saved. They say oh oh oh oh I'm not quite saved. I got to do this in order to be saved. Paul says wait a minute Oh, foolish Galatians. And then he began to ask the question. And when he said foolish Galatians he doesn't doesn't pride himself but he's concerned as a father concerned for those who have accepted Yeshua the Messiah. He preached the message of the gospel. They became children of God.

They have embraced Yeshua the Messiah but now somebody came and told them that they are not quite saved and they began to listen. It's interesting because the Hebrew says you are lacking biblical knowledge. You are lacking biblical knowledge. And today, brothers and sisters, we are not different and today in fact it's even worse today. There's so many who are lacking biblical scriptural knowledge. They either lack it because they are willfully lacking it or they are lacking it because they are simply have been influenced by someone else. And so he began by asking those six questions.

Look at the question, the first question. He says in verse 1 B he says who has bewitched you? That you should not obey the truth before whose eyes Jesus Christ Yeshua Ha Mashiach has been evidently set forth crucified among you. In other word the first question he asked him says who bewitched you? Is anybody is a witch here that came in kind of that word of bewitched here in verse 1 someone came in kind of cause you it to be charmed or he calls you to be manipulated or influenced or tricked you into something. It is even common effect that if somebody give you a gift for free it's the same another person say no no you cannot get this screen you got to earn that.

What would you do? Would you say wait a minute no I don't want it for free. Let me work hard but it's not enough. Work harder. It's not enough. Work harder. It's not enough because we never going to rise to the right standard that the holy and the righteous God demand. So, Paul is saying to them who has bewitched you? Somebody must have tricked you and cause you to divert from the simplicity of the gospel and to adhere to what they say to you to influence you to go after their views and not to accept what God says in his word.

You notice what he said and it is interesting in those six questions he present the whole triune God God the Son Yeshua Ha Mashiach God the Holy Spirit and God the Father He present the whole triune God that was involve in the salvation of of the Galatians. And so we read here who has bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth? And he continue before whose eyes Jesus the Messiah Yeshua Ha Mashiach has been evidently set forth crucified among you. I just don't understand Paul Shaul Paul is saying to the Galatians he says what's going on with you?

How can someone come and trick you? You who have already saw that Yeshua by faith that is you recognize that Yeshua had been crucified. He died on your behalf. You have already understood that. You have accept him. You have embraced him as your Lord and Savior but who had bewitched you? Who caused you to be in such a condition that you don't you understand? Don't you remember before your eyes had been evidently set forth crucified among you? You know when Paul preached the message of the gospel he always directed the attention to the person of the Lord.

He's exalted Yeshua the Messiah. When the world want to put him down and reject him Paul Shaul understood that if there is a way for any sinner to receive salvation it is only on the basis of the work of the Son of God who became a man and died on a shameful Roman cross for the sin of this world. You remember what he said in chapter 2 at the when we read last time together in verse 20 I am crucified with the Messiah. Nevertheless I live yet not I but Messiah liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, the faith of Ben HaElohim who loved me and gave himself for me.

Brothers and he's saying to them I presented before you when I preached to you the message of the gospel Jesus the Messiah and him crucified. No more and no less. I never came to you and told you you must keep that, you must do this, you must keep certain things. I never asked you you have to repent from your sins and turn to the person of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah by faith. Not by works not by something that you do but simply believing. He continue and he asked them the second question. And you notice the second question this time in verses 2 3 and 4 he's not only speaking about God the Son who became a man Jesus Yeshua Ha Mashiach and him crucified.

But now he's speaking about God the Holy Spirit of God, the person of the Holy Spirit of God. And notice the second question in verse two he said to them this only would I learn of you. I want to learn from you something. Did you receive the spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith? How did the Holy Spirit of God came to indwell in you? Did you gain the Holy Spirit of God that give you new birth, new life on a basis of some good works that you have done or keeping the law or being circumcised?

Is that how the Holy Spirit of God came to indwell in you? You remember what we read in the first Corinthians 12 verses 13 and 14 that by one spirit we were all baptized into the one body. We all have been put under and placed into the body of Messiah by the Holy Spirit of God. And we did not receive the Holy Spirit of God because we have achieved some works that we have risen to such a height that I fulfilled perfectly the law of God. And only then I received the Holy Spirit of God.

No. We receive the Holy Spirit of God the moment that we say God be merciful to me a sinner I acknowledge that Yeshua is the Son of God who loved me and died for me on the shameful cross. That moment the Holy Spirit of God came to indwell in a believer. So, Paul is asking this Galatians he says Oh, foolish Galatians. Who has bewitched you? You have seen the Messiah was presented before you who died for your sins. And the second question he says really I want to learn something from you. Did you receive the Holy Spirit of God to indwell in you by the works of the law or simply by the hearing of faith?

You remember Romans 10 17 faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Paul presented the gospel of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah to the Galatians. The Galatians believed the scripture and the preaching of the gospel and they have acknowledged the Lord and they have received the Holy Spirit of God into their hearts. You know what the Bible say to us in Romans chapter 8 and I'm going to read this verse for you. Romans 8 and verse 9 Paul said it. He says listen to this very interesting verse. He says in verse 9 but ye are not in the flesh but in the spirit.

If so be that the spirit of God dwell in you. And then he continue. He says if any man or a woman we can add if now if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his. In other words what he is really saying that if a person does not have the Holy Spirit of God indwelling him or indwelling here he or she are really not born of the spirit. They don't belong to the Lord. Maybe they go to meetings maybe they sit in the pew maybe they sing the song maybe they even read the Bible.

But if they don't have the Holy Spirit in placed within them they are not children of God. You see what Paul is saying to the Galatians. Galatians, you have made a foolish move. You should not listen to the council of those who came and told you no no no you are not quite saved. You have to keep certain you have to have a standard to get up there to get saved. Listen you and I, brothers and sisters, know our hearts very well. Even after years of being believers we violated the law of God in so many ways.

I don't have to tell you. You know your heart and I know mine. How many time we disobey the law of the Lord in so many ways. If our salvation depended upon our performance we in a pool shape. We will never be saved. We have no hope. But the Lord Yeshua the Messiah died and paid the penalty for my sins and yours when he is the only one who fulfill the law that God had demanded for men but we failed.

Guest (Male): You have been listening to the Holy Scriptures and Israel with Gideon Levittan. Gideon teaches God's word from a Hebrew Messianic perspective. For more information about this ministry write to Holy Scriptures and Israel box 14 11 Niagara on the Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0 or visit our website at holyscripturesandisrael.com. You are also invited to Gideon's weekly Bible teaching on Fridays at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 1 p.m. at Willowdale Christian Assembly Hall, 28 Martin Ross Avenue in Toronto. Holy Scriptures and Israel is made possible by your prayers and financial support. If you would like to support the program visit holyscripturesandisrael.com.

God bless you. Shalom Shalom.