The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 390

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384 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES with great severity rebuking those who were departing from the faith. After saluting the Galatians in the words, ^' Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,'^ he addressed to them these words of sharp reproof : ^^I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." Paul's teachings had been in harmony with the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit had witnessed to his labors; therefore he warned his brethren not to listen to anything that contradicted the truths he had taught them. The apostle bade the Galatian believers consider carefully their first experience in the Christian life. ^^0 foolish Galatians,'' he exclaimed, ^'who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Eeceived ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith! Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 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?" Thus Paul arraigned the believers in Galatia before the tribunal of their own conscience, and