The Relationship of Jewish and Gentile Believers to the Law Between A.D. 30 and 70 in the Scripture

211 reception of the Spirit (3:2), is powerful proof of their salvation and Paul is willing to stake his whole argument (To0To µovov , 3:2) on how they received salvation. He questions "Was the best evidence of salvation (the Spirit) received because of your identification with Moses expressed through obedience to the Law or through acceptance of the message of the gospel?" Obviously, the correct answer was "through the message of the gospel," the faithfulness of Christ expressed in the crucifixion (3: 1). The Source of Sonship (the Gospel: Argument from Scripture) 3: 6-9 Paul now argues the same point (Ka8wc;) from a different perspective , that of Scripture instead of experience. In the same way that the Galatians received the promise of God through the message of the gospel, so also Abraham received the blessing of God through his reception of the gospel preached beforehand (3: 8). Those who are "lK nfcrT1:wc;" (3:7) that is, who are identified with the gospel message (l~ aKofic; nfcrT1:wc;, 3:1, 2, 5) are the sons of Abraham. This is so because God promised that Gentiles would be blessed 'in you," (3:8), that is "in Abraham's seed," which is Christ. Thus, those who are "lK nfm1:wc;" are to be identified with those who are "in you/Christ." Therefore tho e who are "of the faith(fullness of Christ)" (3: 9a) are blessed with Abraham the believer (3: 9b). The Role of the Law (Not Blessing but Curse) 3: 10-14 Although the law had many purpo e 178 Paul now f u e upon it r 1 in redemption hi tory . The nation of I rael, due to rep ated coven nt di lo alt uff r d th prom1 ed cur e f D uter nomy in 586 B. . Although th imm diat il 1 nt e r th " ur th l " r m in d n the p pl rdin t D ni 1 unt il th mm f f J D nt t , " h Purp th , " Bzblwthe a a ra, 1 1 71 _7