Tuesday, 6th of February 2018 Capitol Commission Georgia Ron J. Bigalke, Ph.D. P.O. Box 244, Rincon, GA 31326-0244 (912) 659-4212 [email protected] WWrroonngg vvss.. RRiigghhtt and got him turned in the correct direction, but Tech players tackled him immediately at the 1-yard line. The Bears decided to punt rather than risk a play so close to their end zone, but Tech’s Capitol Commission Bible Study Vance Maree blocked the punt, resulting in a safety for the Yellow Jackets and a 2-0 lead. California eventually scored a touchdown and kicked an extra point, but Georgia Tech added • TUESDAY @ 12 NOON in 125 CAP six more points, and won their second national championship by a final score of 8-7. Members’ Bible Fellowship Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan was an American aviator, who earned his nickname for a flight from New York to Ireland. • WEDNESDAYS @ 7:15AM in 125 CAP He piloted a transcontinental flight from California to New York; and, immediately thereafter, filed plans for a transatlantic flight. Aviation authorities concluded that his strategy was suicide, and his application was promptly denied. Corrigan was approved for Capitol Commission Bible Studies are held every Tuesday. The a return flight to the West Coast. weekly Bible study is nonpartisan and non-denominational. We While his plane departed west, it suddenly made a 180-degree are studying the book of Galatians during the 2018 legislative turn and left onlookers puzzled as he vanished into the clouds. session, and will continue doing so every week on Tuesdays. Twenty-eight hours later, Corrigan landed his plane in Dublin, Capitol Commission provides an open-to-all Bible study Ireland. He claimed to have lost direction in the clouds and that every Tuesday from 12:00-12:45pm, this week in 125 CAP (where his compass malfunctioned. Authorities did not believe there ministry sponsors provide lunch). The member’s only Bible was any navigational error believing the mistake was deliberate; Fellowship is held every Wednesday (unless not a legislative day) nevertheless, “Wrong Way” Corrigan was a national celebrity. from 7:15-8:00am in 125 CAP. In contrast to Riegels’ truly unintentional error, Corrigan I pray that this study will be edifying to you. The sole intent appears to have made his decision purposefully. Peter’s error, as of the ministry of Capitol Commission is to serve you, and to be detailed in Galatians 2, was similar to that of Riegel. Peter was a resource to you for pastoral attention, care, counsel, and temporarily disoriented, and acquiesced to the Judaizers. The prayer. The present study in the Word of God is just one aspect error of the Judaizers was not an accident and in that sense was of that desire to serve you. similar to Corrigan’s because it was deliberate. – Dr. Ron J. Bigalke, Georgia State Minister, Capitol Commission Second Corinthians 13:5a – Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves! Capitol Commission Bible Study The Judaizers were intentionally distorting the gospel of is grace by proclaiming a works-based message. Combining law with the gospel was a distortion of truth. True believers may Tuesday, 6 February 2018 become momentarily disoriented in their doctrine and practice (like Peter), and thus we do well to examine ourselves to be Galatians 3 – “Wrong vs. Right” certain that our spiritual experience is valid (2 Cor 13:5). COUNTERING ERROR Roy “Wrong Way” Riegels played football for the University of California from 1927 to 1929. He was the all-American center and (Gal 3:1-14) Galatians 3 begins with an urgent appeal to return to captain-elect for the Golden Bears, yet his “wrong way” run in the simplicity of the gospel. The plea takes the form of a series of six the 1929 Rose Bowl against Georgia Tech is often considered the arguments to prove that salvation (justification) by faith is superior worst blunder in the history of college football. The game was to the law. The first verse considers why the faith of a true believer scoreless early in the second quarter when Georgia Tech had could falter: “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before possession on their 20-yard line. Riegels recovered a fumble by Yellow Jackets’ running back Jack “Stumpy” Thomason. He whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?” The took a step toward the Tech goal line, and then got bumped, address is direct and stern for it is as if the believers had fallen under spun around, and seeing a pair of goal posts headed for them. a bewitching, deceptive spell that could only be attributed to the Unfortunately, it was the wrong end zone! influence of demonic powers. Known for his speed, quarterback Benny Lom chased his Do you know that the Holy Spirit abides within you (cf. Rom confused teammate half the distance of the field, shouting at the 8:9)? If you began receiving the Spirit (which is the only authentic top of his lungs for him to stop. Lom eventually caught Riegels foundation), it would be foolish to seek “being perfected by the Capitol Commission Bible Study Tuesday (6th of February) @ 12 Noon – 12:45pm, 125 CAP Member’s Bible Fellowship Wednesday (7th of February) @ 7:15am – 8:00am, 125 CAP (ministry sponsorship by State Representative Robert Dickey) Tuesday, 6 February 2018 flesh” (vv. 2-3). A works-based message discounts the saving refers to the transgression of the Mosaic law, and always some (justifying) and sanctifying work that the Holy Spirit accomplishes explicit law. See, for instance, James 2:9-11.) Whereas the law in the life of believers (v. 4). The Holy Spirit enters the believer’s life required mediation (Gal 3:19), God’s promise to Abraham was as a result of grace not the law (v. 5). dependent only upon the commitment of God, who “is only one” (v. 20). Therefore, the promise is superior. REDEMPTION IS “THROUGH FAITH”. The law is certainly not “contrary to the promises of God” (v. 21) for it was never intended to impart life and acceptance before Authentic life transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit, God; its purpose was to reveal that everyone is a prisoner “under who uses the Word of God to effect that change. Neither you nor sin” (v. 22), and that condemnation produced a need to be I have ever changed anyone (at least for their good); it is always forgiven and released from the law’s penalty. Prior to Christ, all the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God. The Spirit humanity was “kept in custody under the law” (v. 23). The law works in the context of God’s Word; therefore, it is nothing less was given as a “tutor” to identify sin and to demonstrate the than stupidity to displace oneself from that context to another. reality of God’s judgment. Humanity’s inability to obey the law perfectly (and thereby earn God’s approval) necessitates Romans 8:9 – However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, salvation by grace “through faith in Christ Jesus” (vv. 23-25). if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. Ephesians 4:23-24 – . be renewed in the spirit of your mind, The opponents of God’s Word cited Moses, the giver of the and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. law, as their authority (or, at least, argued that Abraham was saved on the basis of meritorious works), yet the Bible reveals The good news of God’s grace is truly amazing. Those who that Abraham, the father of the Jewish race (Gen 12—24), was have received God’s grace certainly can regard even routine accepted by God on the basis of his faith in the Lord’s promise conversation and communication as opportunities to share the (Gal 3:6-14). There are only two possible ways of being accepted good news. Scripture also reminds everyone: “There is a way by God: 1) keeping the law perfectly (v. 12), which is impossible which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (v. 10; Jas 2:10); or, 2) exercising faith (Gal 2:11). Redemption is (Prov 14:12). A false gospel prohibits you from salvation and “through faith” so that the promise of the Holy Spirit is given to membership in the family of God, wherein all believers are all who believe (v. 14). united “through faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:26-29). PROMOTING TRUTH Placement into the body of Christ not only unites all believers, but also removes the old clothes of the law and (Gal 3:15-29) The Judaizers argued that the law was given replaces them with Christ’s new robes of righteousness (v. 27; 2 subsequent to the time of Abraham, and thus the law had Cor 5:21; Eph 4:23-24). Christ Jesus removes the barriers that greater priority over grace (salvation by grace through faith divide people (Gal 3:28), meaning there is no inferiority or alone). In response, the Bible provides an example from human superiority for those who “belong to Christ” (v. 29). Grace relationships: when an agreement is ratified, “no one sets it appropriated through faith makes believers mature (v. 26). Allow aside or adds conditions to it” (v. 15). God’s promise of salvation your imperfections and needs during this legislative session to through faith to Abraham was a binding contract, and nothing humble you before God, and then seek his grace as the “right (not even the law) could set it aside or add conditions to it.