Galatians 2:1-10

Galatians 2:1–10 KJV 1900

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.

Introduction

Paul tells about his second trip to Jerusalem as a Christian. 1-2

A few details about the trip.

It was 14 years after the previous trip.

He brought at least two other men with him.

Barnabas

From Cyprus.

Connected to the early church in Jerusalem.

Connected to the mixed race church in Antioch.

A great bridge between the missions to the Jews and gentiles.

Titus

A Greek convert.

Trusted by Paul.

Not mentioned in Acts, but mentioned often in Paul’s letters.

Why did he go to Jerusalem.

Because of revelation.

Direct

Indirect

To confer with other preachers regarding the message that he had been preaching.

He uses the same greek word 4x in this passage to refer to people that were supposedly very important.

Paul was not looking for approval, simply accountability.

Our fidelity is to God not men.

My primary motivation for biblical fidelity is not to appease my teachers and mentors of the past.

I should welcome accountability and brotherly sharpening.

Accountability protects us from getting away from the truth.

Preaching and church ministry is extremely difficult work.

It would be a shame to go through the stress and expense of it only to find that you had done it wrong and nullified your labor.

Paul talks about how he took Titus with him. 3-5

Titus’ presence is a test for the status of Christianity.

He is an uncircumcised Greek man.

Will the leaders of the church at Jerusalem insist that he be circumcised according to the law?

Judaizers had infiltrated the church under false pretenses.

The verse saying that they had been “brought in” indicating that someone in leadership had knowingly allowed them into the church.

No attempt at identifying the culprit is made.

These came in to the church for a few reasons.

Spy on the Christian’s liberty.

Bring Christians back into bondage under the law.

Paul and the others did not let these persuade them, not even for a moment.

There was never of space of time where Paul or the leaders of the church in Jerusalem were swayed by the Judaizers in Jerusalem.

As a result, Titus was able to be present and to fellowship with the Jerusalem believers without having to be circumcised.

It wasn’t even an option.

Not even for love’s sake.

Not even for unity’s sake.

Titus getting needlessly circumcised would have set a precedent.

This precedent would have severely limited Paul’s ability to reach the gentiles.

For obvious reasons, a gospel that requires circumcision would be hard to accept.

Paul’s message is accepted by the leaders of the Jerusalem church. 6-9

Some think that Paul is taking veiled shots at the leaders in Jerusalem.

In vss 2, 6a, 6b, & 9 he talks about those who had a real reputation.

We don’t see it in english, but in greek this is the same word 4 times with different modifiers.

Paul is not disrespecting James, Peter, and John.

Instead, he is using the language of the Judaizers.

He is showing two things.

Men are men.

Even if those men literally walked with Jesus on earth.

Even if those men were the founders or influential members of the church in Jerusalem.

They are still just men.

These men that they put so much stock in, had accepted Paul’s ministry.

James, Peter, and John recognize that Paul is doing among the gentiles exactly what they are doing among the Jews.

He showed evidence of possessing the same Spirit and influence as Peter did.

They had extended to Paul the right hand of fellowship.

This is not just an approving gesture.

It is a partnering gesture.

They are partnering with Paul in reaching the world, Jews and Gentiles for Jesus.

Paul is brought in to cooperation with the Jerusalem church. 10

The Jerusalem Christians invite Paul to partner with them also in caring for the poor.

This may have meant the poor in Jerusalem.

It may have meant the poor in the churches that were started.

Paul agreed because he was already of the same mind.

This can be seen throughout his ministry.

He sought to unite rich and poor.

He often collected funds for the poor.

By meeting face to face, Paul and the Christians in Jerusalem avoid any conflict by realizing they are on the same team.

This pulls the rug out from under the Judaizers.

They were trying to stir up conflict by claiming that Paul and Jerusalem were at odds.

Paul reveals that they are, in fact, on the same page and working together.

We have to constantly deal with people who try to stir up division.

One of the easiest ways to do that these days is to divide people based on the standards they adhere to.

I could probably make people leave this church this morning by talking about different topics.

Music is a hot button.

Dress standards are equally explosive.

We could talk about children’s education and get people worked up.

Politics is also a viable option if we are looking to split the church.

I really do believe that our church is stronger for having a diverse membership.

How can a diverse membership remain united?

How can our church be healthy if we don’t all agree on every point?

We have to something that we agree on that supersedes any disagreements that may arise.

The answer is in the passage.

What common word do we find in 2, 5, and 7?

The gospel.

It is harder and harder to find a church that is truly focused and united in the gospel.

This is what we are striving to be at the Baptist Tabernacle.