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The Galatian churches had been infiltrated by false-Christians who claimed that the gospel Paul had proclaimed to them was false. These wolves in sheep's clothing had a lot of Scripture to back up their argument, which made them sound like they knew what they were talking about, but they'd missed to crucial things.

First, in Gal 3.1, an irate Paul reminds them that Christ had been clearly portrayed to them as crucified. Jesus changed everything, especially humanity's relationship to the Law (which previously bound Jews and excluded Gentiles). While they didn't have the New Testament writings, Paul would have clearly demonstrated the gospel from the Old Testament. Our beliefs need to have a clear Scriptural basis.

Second, Paul appealed the experience of the Galatians. Specifically their experience of the Holy Spirit. "Does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doin the works of the Law? Or is it by believing what you heard..." (Gal 3.5). The Galatians had had a tangible encounter with the Holy Spirit. We know what one of the miracles was - a lame man walked (Acts 14.8-11) - although it seems there were others, as well. We can assume that the churches displayed the sorts of spiritual gifts Paul discusses in 1Cor 12-14. But there was also the change the Spirit had wrought in the lives of the Believers. Paul could talk of the 'fruit of the Spirit' being love, joy, peace and a profound quality of character (Gal 5.22). That God had given them such gifts indicated his approval of the gospel they believed.

Christianity makes certain claims about reality, many of which can be tested. We make claims about history as recorded in the Bible that can be tested against other historical records and artefacts. And we make claims about the activity of God that can be tested, at least in part, against our experience. We need to weigh all these when assessing the truth of Christianity. (Evidence doesn't replace faith, but it can help.)

Weighing the evidence of history is easy, and there is a lot of material you can access if you're interested. But more challenging can be experience because that is largely subjective.

I have never seen a miracle (unless you squint real hard). I hope one day I do (a real, bona fide, undeniable miracle), but that doesn't really worry me - I've read too many accounts in history and spoken to too many people who do claim to have seen miracles to write them off.

More compelling, for me, is my experience of the Holy Spirit - the love, joy and peace that flooded my soul when I encountered Him in an unprecedented way. I've seen it in countless others, as well. It's not an experience someone else can share with you, you have to experience it yourself. But when you do, it changes everything and you know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true.