OUR BIBLE BAND

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 22, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 46.

Schedule for Week Ending December 3

Sunday	November 27	Galatians 1-3
Monday	“ 28	“ 4-6
Tuesday	“ 29	Romans 1-3
Wednesday	“ 30	“ 4-7
Thursday	December 1	“ 8-10
Friday	“ 2	“ 11-13
Sabbath	“ 3	“ 14-16

THE readings for the week cover two books, Galatians and Romans. The first was written to a mixture of Christians, largely composed of Gauls. Galatia was called the Gaul of the East, a comparatively small district of Asia Minor. The Gauls had dwelt in that section from about the third century before Christ; were subjugated by the Romans B.C. 189. Living in a great highway of commerce, they became mixed with Greeks and Romans, and to some extent with the Hebrews. The church was founded in A.D. 52 by Paul.

THE epistle to the Galatians was written to correct the teaching of the Judaizers who had insisted on certain ceremonial observances for justification. The apostle takes up the very nature of justification itself, and shows that it is entirely independent of law, but when one is justified and regenerated it brings him into harmony with the law; consequently he works out obedience to the law in his own heart and life.

THE church of Rome was probably founded by Jews and proselytes from Jerusalem who were converted on the Day of Pentecost; others of course were added to them; hence the numerous salutations in the epistle in Romans 16. Many of these may have met the apostle Paul on his travels. It is quite similar in some respects to the epistle to the Galatians, but much longer, and dwells more fully on the philosophy of justification by faith; but it shows just as strongly and clearly that one is justified only by faith in Christ, and that true justification and regeneration lead to implicit obedience to the will of God. Reading Romans after Galatians if we read the two carefully, we may be able to see more clearly the striking parallels between the two epistles.