GROUP GUIDE: Galatians 3:26-29

This week, we looked at the last three verses of Galatians chapter 3, and these are the key points we can note in this section:

I. Our Identity: Children of God by Faith (v. 26)

In this verse, after stating that we no longer have to be under the guardian since faith has come, Paul gives us our new identity. Now, through faith in Christ Jesus, we are children of God. This is our identity as believers. But faith is the foundation of our new identity, not works of the law. It's important to note that he says "all"—this is a crucial point—that there are no extra rules to follow except through faith in the work of Christ Jesus. All believers are children of God; this relationship is universal for all who believe, regardless of their circumstances.

"The doctrine of justification justifies us before God the Judge, but in the doctrine of adoption, we are loved by God the Father. In justification, the situation is legal; we stand before a judge who issues a ruling. But in adoption, the judge not only declares you 'innocent,' but also rises from the bench, comes down to where you are, removes your chains, and says, 'Come home with me as my child.' Packer says, 'Being right with God the Judge is great, but being loved and cared for by God is much better.'" Platt, David; Merida, Tony. Exalting Jesus in Galatians (Christ-Centered Expository Commentary)

II. Our Position: Clothed in Christ (v. 27)

In verse 27, Paul clarifies the reason for our identity and tells us our position: we are now in Christ. Paul tells us that all were baptized into Christ. It is important to note that Paul is not talking about water baptism, but rather says "into Christ." The idea is that when we are baptized in Christ, we wrap ourselves in Jesus Christ as in a garment. We strip off our dirty, old, and sin-ridden rags and clothe ourselves in the new, righteous nature of Jesus Christ. Water baptism outwardly represents this inward work of baptism in Christ by the Holy Spirit.

This idea of ​​changing clothes had an additional implication for the Galatians. In ancient Roman society, when a young man reached the legal age of adult citizenship, he stopped wearing his childhood clothes and began to wear a tunic, the customary attire of an adult. This change of clothing signified a rite of passage into the responsibilities of adulthood. As believers baptized in Christ, we receive the status of full and mature children before God.

IIII. Our Unity: One in Christ (v. 28)

The dividing line between Jew and Greek is not the only dividing line erased. About our standing before God in Jesus, every dividing line is erased. Now that Jesus is our identity, that is more important than any previous identity we may have had. We are all one in Christ Jesus.

This does not mean there are no differences. Paul knew there was still a difference between Jew and Greek, and his evangelistic approach could differ with each group. The slave still had the daily obligation to obey his master, although they could be equal in Jesus. There are still different roles for men and women in the home and in the church, although they are equal before God. There are differences in role and function, but none in standing before God through faith in Jesus. “When we say that Christ has abolished these distinctions, we do not mean that they do not exist, but that they no longer create barriers to fellowship” (Stott).

IIIV. Our Inheritance: Abraham’s Lineage (v. 29)

True Offspring: By belonging to Christ, believers are recognized as the true family of Abraham. Heirs According to the Promise: We are heirs of spiritual blessings. promised to Abraham, based on grace and not on the law.

If we belong to Christ: This is the question. The question is not, “Are you under the law?” The question is not, “Are you, Jew or Gentile?” The question is not, “Are you slave or free?” The question is not, “Are you male or female?” The only question is whether we belong to Christ.

If we belong to Christ, then…

Our identity is that we are children of God.

We are clothed with Him.

We are united with Him.

We are heirs.