Introduction:
The Apostles Accept Paul (Part 1)
Galatians 2:1-5 NLT
2:1Then fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. 2 I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing. 3 And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile.
4 Even that question came up only because of some so-called believers there—false ones, really—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. 5 But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you.
Examine the scriptures:
Galatians 2:1-5 NLT
The Apostles Accept Paul (Part 1)
2:1Then fourteen years later
Refer to previous lesson.
I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too.
Barnabas-a Jewish believer
Titus- a Gentile believer
The book of Acts mentions five Jerusalem visits made by Paul after his conversion.
The visit after he left Damascus (Acts 9:26-30).
The famine visit (Acts 11:27-30)
Acts 11:27-30 NLT
27 During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) 29 So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. 30 This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.
The visit to attend the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1-30)
The visit at the end of his second missionary Journey ((Acts 18:22)
His final visit which resulted in his Caesarean imprisonment Acts 21:15-23:35)
Galatians 2 could refer to either the “famine visit” or the “Jerusalem council visit”.
- The book of Acts mentions five Jerusalem visits made by Paul after his conversion. Galatians 2 could refer to either the “famine visit” or the “Jerusalem council visit”.
It really doesn’t matter which trip this passage is referring to, the principles are still the same.
2 I went there because God revealed to me that I should go.
- Paul traveled to Jerusalem because God directed him to, not because he was summoned by the church for something he was doing (preaching to the Gentiles).
Paul got his “marching orders” from God.
Peter would have understood this principle.
Acts 5:26-29 NLT
26 The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. 27 Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. 28 “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”
29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”
- “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”
What does the Bible tell us to do?
While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church
Most likely Peter, James, and John (see verse 9)
Met privately. Paul was not looking for a public endorsement.
“Those considered to be leaders”
and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement,
Previously Paul had emphasized his independence from the other apostles.
Paul did recognize the importance of harmony and unity within the “church”.
1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT<
10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.
Romans 16:17 NLT
17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.
Philippians 2:2 NLT
2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Romans 15:5-6 NLT
5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Paul recognized the importance of harmony and unity within the “church”.
Paul wanted to avoid a split between the Jewish and Gentile Christians.
- Scripture tells us to “live in harmony with each other.”
Scripture does not teach “denominations”.
For fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing.
Paul feared that his ministry might be hindered or rendered of no effect by the Judaizers
if the Jerusalem leaders insisted on circumcision and other requirements of the Law for the Gentiles,
Mark 3:24-25 NLT
24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. 25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.
Galatians 3:28 (next chapter)
Galatians 3:28 NLT
28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
A word of encouragement for the discouraged.
1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
- You know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
3 And they supported me
- The leaders of the Jerusalem Church supported Paul’s ministry.
Paul’s position.
God’s grace comes through faith in Christ, not by works. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- God’s grace comes through faith in Christ.
and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile.
- The Jerusalem apostles did not think that circumcision was necessary for a Gentile (a Greek) like Titus.
4 Even that question came up only because of some so-called believers there—false ones, really—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations.
- Beware of false prophets
Matthew 7:15-20 NLT
15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
- False prophets are a reality and false prophets are destructive.
Go back to Galatians 1
6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
Acts 15:1 NLT
15:1 While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
5 But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you.
Paul was not willing to compromise.
To do so would change the Gospel.
Salvation is by faith alone. Adding works to faith compromises the truth of the Gospel.
There are times when it is wrong to compromise.
Look back to:
Galatians 1:6-7 NLT
There Is Only One Good News
6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. 8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.
- There are times when it is wrong to compromise.
Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. (Galatians 1:8)
