Hello Friends!
During
this week’s gathering, we’ll continue to work our way
through the book written to the Galatians as we consider the ONE and ONLY saving “salvation” message of “Jesus Christ” as
decreed throughout this excellent Epistle – “Only ONE Gospel!”
Galatians:
Only ONE Gospel! (Chapter 2:1-10)
1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to
Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up by
revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the
Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I
should run, or had run, in vain. 3 But
neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
4 And that
because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out
our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into
bondage: 5 To
whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the
gospel might continue with you. 6 But
of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter
to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in
conference added nothing to me: 7 But
contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed
unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought
effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was
mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 And
when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace
that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of
fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
10 Only they
would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do
– Galatians
2:1-10
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: Up to this point in
our joyous journey, the “Apostle Paul”
has been diligently DEFENDING the gospel of
“salvation” by GRACE
through “faith” from God ALONE, of which is WHY
he wrote the book of Galatians in the first place! It is here
where he sets the “gospel” record straight
at the very beginning of this excellent epistle. And the sole PURPOSE of the ENTIRE
letter is firmly stated here in chapter
2 at the end of verse 5 as
Paul contends that “…the truth of the
gospel might continue with you“ of which “you”
would NOT be “drawn away” and “led
astray” unto any “other gospel”
message that WILL bring about eternal
– Damnation!
As
we have already established in our prior studies in chapter 1 of which immediately AFTER Paul’s “conversion”
on the “Damascus Road” he went DIRECTLY into Nabataean “Arabia” for a TOTAL
of “three years” to be ALONE
with God. WHY? Because the ORIGINAL chosen “twelve”
were “discipled” for “three years” with “Jesus
Christ” and thus Paul was ALSO
given his OWN personal TUTORIAL time equal to “three years” to learn DIRECTLY
from the “mouth” of our “Lord” Himself – Trained BY
Jesus Christ!
After
his personal TRAINING period of “three years” time, Paul was then off to “Jerusalem” for “fifteen
days” and “abode”
with only “Peter” and simply “saw” the man “James the Lord’s brother” as well. And we
also LEARN from the book of Acts that MANY
of the “saints” did NOT initially want to personally “receive” Paul. WHY?
They were AFRAID of him because he
had TERRORIZED the “church”
of God and “wasted” it abroad! However,
brother “Barnabas” was willing to vouch
for “Paul” by way of introduction to
the “disciples” as led by the “Lord Jesus Christ” at the helm. And thus
the “others” eventually did ACCEPT and LOVE
Paul as they “gloried God” in him. HOW? Through what GOD
had DONE in the “life”
of this once fierce PERSECUTOR of the God’s
“faithful” family – Praise
the Lord!
Next,
Paul continues to further DISCRIBE
his “God” appointed APOSTOLIC
memoirs of DIRECT real “revelation” personally “received” from “Jesus
Christ” Himself:
Then fourteen years after I went
up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. And I went up
by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the
Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I
should run, or had run, in vain – Galatians 2:1-2
QUIZZING QUESTION: What specific trip of “fourteen years” to the city of “Jerusalem” does Paul refer to in this
initial passage? For the BIBLICAL
answer, we must further explore the book of Acts
for the “declared” details:
And when they were come to
Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders,
and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up
certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful
to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the
apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter – Acts
15:4-6
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: Paul founded the “churches” in “Syria”
and “Cilicia” as he MINISTERED
with “Barnabas” as his “faithful brother” in the Lord. Another “church” fellowship was also founded in “Antioch” around 44 A.D. during the time of King Herod Agrippa’s death. And it was
at that time a service “mission”
took place as also historically outlined in the book of Acts in
where the Gentile “brethren” had brought
practical RELIEF to meet the dire NEEDS of the famine-struck Jewish “believers” in “Jerusalem”
and “Judea” respectively. Eventually, “Paul” makes this trying “trip” to the city of “Jerusalem”
some “fourteen years” later as
outlined here in chapter 2 of Galatians
to firmly CONFIRM the great “gospel” message he “preached”
along with “Barnabas” and “Titus” among the “Gentiles”
as were – Called BY God!
Meanwhile,
in “Jerusalem” while Paul is sent “by revelation” unto “Syria”
and “Cilicia” we find “certain”
Jewish satanic emissaries had “rose
up” from a “sect of the
Pharisees” of which arrived from “Judea”
and began “saying” to the “brethren” that they MUST
be “circumcised” according to the Old Covenant dispensational “law” of “Moses”
otherwise, they CANNOT be “saved” at all! Thus, we find the “apostles and elders” had rightly “came together” to correctly “consider” this ETERNALLY
important “matter” by supernaturally DISCERNING God’s TRUE
saving “salvation” from Satan’s FALSE and FATAL
facade as they “soberly” sought – The Lord’s MIND in the MATTER!
POIGNANT POINT: By this terrific time in
Paul’s “ministry” endeavors, he had
been SERVING the “Lord
Jesus Christ” by direct “revelation”
from HIM for a TOTAL
of an amazing – SEVENTEEN years!
And when there had been much
disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how
that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth
should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the
hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now
therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which
neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the
grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we
shall be saved, even as they – Acts 15:7-11
Next,
notice Paul’s PRACTICAL poignant point
of reference
concerning God’s perfect PLAN
pertaining to His “salvation” life of “liberty” for the “Gentile”
people:
But neither Titus, who was with
me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: And that because of false
brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which
we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage – Galatians 2:3-4
Here,
this matter becomes even more THEOLOGICAL
in nature as it transcends any ACADEMIC
discussions! Here is a REDEEMED
and “Holy Spirit” INDWELT
and EMPOWERED righteous “Gentile”
man named “Titus” who has NOT been “circumcised”
nor has he been MADE to conform
to the “bondage” of ancestral traditions
and Mosaic ceremonies being PROMOTED
by these “false brethren unawares”
sent “privily to spy” upon them by
SATAN himself. God’s terrific TRUTH of our “liberty”
in “Christ Jesus” deals a doctrinally DEVISTATING blow to these “Judaizers” of madness – Man-made RELIGION!
CONTEXTUAL COMMENTS: History itself PROVES
that “Gentiles” could NOT attend “synagogue”
nor ANY other place reserved for “Jewish” people. Conversely, as was NOT true for “Titus”
himself, it was IMPORTANT for brother “Timothy” to be “circumcised”
in the flesh. WHY? Because he was considered
to be a “Jew” as his “mother” was “Jewish”
and his “father” was a “Greek” by birth:
Then came he to Derbe and Lystra:
and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a
certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him
would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of
the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a
Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for
to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number
daily – Acts 16:1-5
Therefore,
brother “Timothy” would be granted
full access
to such forbidden places with the Apostle Paul. However, “Titus” was a “Gentile”
by birth! And from the very outset, the “apostle”
leaders “James,” “Peter” and “John”
all AGREED with the THEOLOGICAL
position of “Paul” and “Barnabas” alike. HOW?
Absolutely NO religious “circumcision” is at all NECESSARY for the “salvation”
of the soul. Thus, NO rank ritual,
rite,
ceremony,
baptism
or sacrament
is thus REQUIRED by God.
Besides, if “Titus” had been “circumcised” as such, it would have
ultimately UNDERCUT the great “gospel of grace” and thus provide a vexing
– Victory to the Judaizers!
Then
Paul “continues” to sum up everything
he has been “saying” concerning these LIARS of lunacy:
To whom we gave place by
subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue
with you – Galatians
2:5
In
other
words, Paul wouldn’t give these LEGALISTIC
and fickle “false brethren” the time of
day! WHY? Because
they “preach” a completely “different gospel” of damning doom – Spiritual DEATH!
THEOLOGICAL
THOUGHTS: The FINAL letter that Paul penned just PRIOR to his physical “death” was the PASTORAL
writings of 2 Timothy and in that
excellent “epistle” he is PASSING on the “good” baton of responsibility for
the “gospel” message: Its preaching, its protection
and its preservation to his “sound” young “son in the faith”
Timothy:
Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a
teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things:
nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am
persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against
that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith
and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto
thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us – 2 Timothy 2:11-14
And
AGAIN Paul MASTERFULLY
writes to the diligent “pastor”
in “Crete” by the name of Titus:
For the grace of God that
bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly,
in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing
of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he
might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all
authority. Let no man despise thee – Titus 2:11-15
THE reason the “church”
exists in the lost “world” at large is to
diligently “preach the gospel” of “God” so people can hear, believe,
be
saved and thus be brought to ETERNAL
glory with Him! And out of ALL
the “Apostles” of “Jesus
Christ” and perhaps of ALL
the “pastors” and “preachers”
throughout the “church” age itself, NO ONE was more intent on “guarding the gospel” than THE Apostle Paul! And the full COMMITMENT to its accuracy, clarity
and priority
is likewise NECESSARY for “us” here TODAY
because – It’s ALWAYS about THE Gospel!
Paul’s COMMISSION!
Now,
after SEVENTEEN years of being
an “Apostle” sent by “Jesus
Christ” Himself, Paul arrived in the “city”
of “Jerusalem” proper. WHY?
Because he wants the affirmation of the “other apostles” of whom were “called” by God BEFORE
him:
But of these who seemed to be
somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no
man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing
to me: But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision
was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought
effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was
mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) – Galatians 2:6-8
The
“Judaizers” were hammering on Paul.
Thus, he defended himself in chapter
1 through his own experience with “Jesus Christ” by a PERSONAL
stint of “three-years” in training.
Now, here in chapter 2 Paul defends
himself AGAIN through the “other apostles” affirmation by COMMISSION unto God’s “purposes” for him. And Paul says that “God accepteth no man's person” and it “maketh no matter” who you are. Either “Jew” or “Gentile,”
“circumcision” or “uncircumcision”
of the flesh. But, what DOES
matter is that “we” are FAITHFUL
to “God” and His – ONE and ONLY Gospel!
Then
Paul continues
his COMMISSIONING comments concerning his EQUAL standing with the original
“pillars” of the “Jerusalem”
fellowship:
And when James, Cephas, and John,
who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave
to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the
heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should
remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do – Galatians 2:9-10
The
same “Holy Spirit” that EMPOWERED brother “Cephas”
from the “Day of Pentecost”
onward as he POWERFULLY purposed to “preach” God’s great “grace”
all through the early chapters of the Acts
of the Apostles from which “thousands”
upon “thousands” of “Jewish” people were “born
again” in “Jesus Christ”
is the SAME power PROVISION moving through “Paul” as an “apostle”
to the “Gentiles” along with
brothers “Barnabas” and “Titus” in PURPOSEFUL
partnership – NO
difference!
And
as we “love” each other, we’ll also
“remember” to NATURALLY
meet the necessary NEEDS of the “poor” people of “God”
in our midst. WHY? Because that’s the very “same” thing we look “forward”
to do! In fact, the FIRST of God’s “commandments” is to “love
the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength”
and the SECOND of God’s “commandments” is to equally “love your neighbor as yourself” just as “Jesus Christ” commands:
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all
the law and the prophets – Matthew 22:37-40
And thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy might – Deuteronomy 6:5
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear
any grudge against the children of thy
people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord – Leviticus
19:18
For all the law is fulfilled in
one word, even in this; Thou shalt love
thy neighbour as thyself – Galatians
5:14
Thus,
the “poor” are on our “hearts”
to be HELPED as they are ALSO our “neighbour”
nearby – REMEMBERED of GOD!
In closing:
A
“Christian” is one who LOVES
the “Lord thy God” with all their “heart, soul and mind” in the “Lord Jesus Christ” and the blessed “Holy Spirit” our eternal 3-IN-1
God! And the moral “law” is simply a REFLECTION of His CHARACTER
and NATURE. Thus, if you truly LOVE someone, you
DESIRE to rightly please them and do
everything
you can for them – Is that not true?
REAL REFLECTIONS: Beloved, may God give US the courage and boldness
to “contend earnestly for the faith”
that was signed, sealed and delivered
some – 2000 years ago…
Beloved,
when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was
needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly
contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints – Jude 3
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!
With
this information as a foundation for your personal studies, please read through verses 1-10 in the second chapter of
the excellent book to the Galatians.
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!
Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"Lighthouse Publications <><
