The Glad Tidings

The Glad Tidings, a study of the book of Galatians, was first printed in 1900, by the Pacific Press Publishing Company of Oakland California. Originally, having 265 pages, this unabridged, large print (16 point) edition, has 304 pages."The Epistle to the Galatians, together with its companion, the Epistle to the Romans, was the source, through the Spirit, of the Reformation of the sixteenth century, the key-note of which was, "The just shall live by faith." The reformation then begun is not yet complete, and the same watchword needs to be sounded now as then. If the people of God will become filled with the truth so vividly set forth in this epistle, both the church and the world will be stirred as profoundly as in the days of Luther. May this speedily be the case, and thus the times of restoration of all things be hastened!"It is quite common, in writing upon any book in the Bible, to spend some time on an "Introduction" to the book in question- setting forth the nature of it, the circumstances under which it was written, and the probable purpose of the writer, together with many other things, partly conjectural, and partly derived from the book itself. All such statements the reader has to take on the authority of the one making them, since, not having yet studied the book, he cannot judge for himself. The best way is to introduce him at once to the study of the book, and then he will, if diligent and faithful, soon learn all that it has to reveal concerning itself. We learn more of a man by talking with him than by hearing somebody talk about him. So we will proceed at once to the study of the Epistle to the Galatians, and let it speak for itself. . . . "'As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.' The rule of glory! what a grand rule to walk by! Are there two classes here mentioned?- No; that cannot be, for the Epistle has been devoted to showing that all are one in Christ Jesus. 'And ye are complete in Him, which is the Head of all principality and power; in whom also ye are circumcised {263} with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.' Col.2:10-13. 'We are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.' Phil.3:3. This circumcision constitutes us all the true Israel of God, for this is the victory over sin, and 'Israel' means an overcomer. No longer are we 'aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, ' 'no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner-stone.' Eph.2:12,19,20. So we shall join the throng that 'shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.'