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To: HarleyD
”The prior verse, Gal 4:8, Says, "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods." Are you really trying to tell us that the Galatians were practicing Hebrews prior to their conversion.....or were they really pagan gentiles who did indeed observe days, months, seasons and years in their pagan worship. No, I'm not saying that at all. I’m saying the Galatians were pagan Gentiles who converted to Christianity. Some Judaizers sought to have them follow the Law of Moses in the act of circumcision and other traditions

Thanks for your very complete response Harley, But when I read verse 9 it tells me that what they are turning back to is what they were doing before.....not what some "Judaizer", in your words, was trying to teach them.

Gal 4:9, "But now that you know God-or rather are known by God-how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?"

528 posted on 10/14/2005 7:37:02 PM PDT by Diego1618
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To: Diego1618
The Galatians were not attempting to go back to their pagan ways. Rather there were some Judaizers (an early church term) trying to tell them they needed to be circumcised and keep the Law.

I think you are wrongly reading this as they wished to go BACK to their old pagan habits. They wished to be circumcised. There were certain people who wanted “the Gentiles to live like Jews” (v 2:14). Instead of following Gentile pagan customs, certain Jews wanted the Gentiles to follow the Jewish customs. Paul states that they will be enslaved all over again.

Circumcision, eating or following “dates” are of no avail. They are all legalistic trappings to make one think they are doing a righteous act. Following traditional Jewish holidays was a documented problem in the early church and one that Paul venomously fought against. Please consider this:

I will also add the argument sounds enticing. What could be so wrong with having a Passover or forgoing certain foods? We’re doing it for the Lord. Man gets himself into trouble every time when he gets into this way of thinking. It falls under the “Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in you name…” category.

529 posted on 10/15/2005 4:15:35 AM PDT by HarleyD ("...and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed." Acts 13:48)
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