Galatians Chapter 3 Part 2 God's Spirit Received By Faith

The Galatians started well but were in danger of denying faith in Christ.

Galatians 3:1  O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 

The Holy Spirit guided Paul to confront Christians in Galatia for being fooled by the lies and deception of Judaizers.

They were adding works to salvation saying that one cannot be saved without circumcision and law keeping.

Yet, God makes it clear we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and specifically are not saved by our works (See Ephesians 2:5-10).

Do we receive the Spirit of God by the law or by faith in Christ?

Galatians 3:2  This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 

This question reminded the Galatians that they received the indwelling Spirit of God through faith in Christ. 

Paul asks the Galatian believers: "Did you receive these extraordinary gifts as a result of your circumcision, and observing the Mosaic precepts? or was it by the hearing of the Gospel, and responding with faith in Christ crucified?" 

It is a rhetorical question and the only possible answer is that the law of God cannot give us the indwelling Spirit of Christ. 

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (See Romans 10:17). 

Repentant faith in Jesus Christ happens when someone hears the gospel preached and turns to Jesus for salvation.

When we are born again God starts working in our heart by His Spirit.

Ephesians 3:16-19  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17)  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18)  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19)  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 

Paul prayed that the Father would grant Christians at Ephesus strength in their inner man from the indwelling Spirit of God.

He is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge in the revelation of Christ.

God's Spirit connects us to our Savior, Jesus Christ and to other Christians.

Thus, Christ dwells in us by faith and the Spirit of God sheds the love of God into our heart (See Romans 5:5).

We become rooted and grounded and the love of God pours into us. 

The word "rooted" is an agricultural term referring to seed that sprouts in the ground and then develops a strong root system to obtain proper water and nutrients.

The word "grounded" is a construction term referring to building a proper foundation on bedrock with good footers to support the building.

When we begin growing spiritually (rooted) we expand what we know from the scriptures and soak up nourishment for our inner man.

Our foundation for new life in Christ is Christ Himself (See 1 Corinthians 3:11). 

We must build our lives upon this solid foundation. This involves learning how to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (See Matthew 4:4; 7:24-27).

The main thrust of Paul's exhortation is that each Christian must grow spiritually so that we are usable instruments to advance the gospel of Christ.

If we do not fully comprehend the spiritual reality of who God is and all He has done for us in Christ, then we will lack passion for the things of God.

Peter's first sermon proves the Holy Spirit is received by faith in Christ.

Acts 2:36-39  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37)  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38)  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39)  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.  

Peter preached his first sermon on the day of Pentecost. He proved that the Jewish people were guilty of crucifying their own Messiah, Jesus Christ. 

Peter also showed from the scriptures that this was according to the redemptive plan of God.

His hearers were brought under conviction of sin by the Spirit of God. They cried out to Peter, asking what they must do.

The apostle's answer was simple. Repent of your sins, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to receive full remission of your sins. 

Peter also showed that they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit according to the promise of God.

Paul also preached and the Spirit of God was given when those who heard the gospel responded with repentant faith in Christ.

Thus, from the birth of the Church, the Spirit of God is received by repentant faith in Jesus Christ, after hearing the gospel (See Acts 10:44-47; 11:15-18; 19:2-6).

Can works of the law bring us to spiritual maturity?

Galatians 3:3  Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 

Since these things are true and the Spirit of God is received by faith, not by works, Paul again asks the Galatians a question.

The Galatians received Christ by faith which refined and purified their hearts. 

They received the Holy Spirit of God and were endued with many spiritual gifts. 

They received the Spirit of adoption by which they were assured of the remission of sins, and fellowship in the family of God.

Paul asks why the Galatians now think that they are making spiritual progress toward a maturing faith in Christ, by relying on their own efforts.

Paul calls on them to consider their past and present conduct, to see if they became spiritually weak and unreasonable.  

They began in the Spirit but now were seeking to be made perfect by law keeping. 

Did apostolic miracles come by the law of by faith from hearing the gospel?

Galatians 3:4-5  Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5)  He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  

Paul continues to expose their foolish behavior. He wanted to know how they could receive the good gift of the Holy Spirit and then think that their own works could mature their faith.

The Galatians lost the joy of the Spirit and the manifestation of His power because of turning to the law instead of following hard after Christ.

Paul reminded the Galatians how the Lord used him to preach the gospel and how God confirmed his ministry by working many miracles through His apostle.

Act 14:3  Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 

This text from the book of Acts is a summary of how God did many miracles through the apostle Paul while he preached in the province of Galatia.

Since many Galatians were born again and saw the miracles and wonders God did by Paul, it is clear that the law played no part in their receiving the Spirit of God by faith in Christ. 

Abraham is the patriarch of faith through whom all nations are blessed.

Galatians 3:6-9  Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7)  Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8)  And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9)  So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Paul is going to refer to Abraham several times in his letter to the Galatian churches.

He underscores the historical reality that Abraham believed God's promises and God imputed righteousness to the patriarch.

Abraham exercised faith in God and His Word and was justified for his faith. 

All who believe since the gospel has been preached are justified by faith like Abraham was.

Thus, believers in Christ are called children of Abraham. God's promise to Abraham was that all nations will be blessed by his faith.

The words "all nations" includes both Jews and Gentiles and this is why the gospel of Christ is good news for all who hear it.

Let us seek to be like faithful Abraham who believed God and took Him at His Word.

Let our faith be anchored firmly to the complete, finished work of Christ on the cross for us.

Let us give our whole life to our Lord Jesus and live for the glory of God.

Bob