The Gospel Must Be Affirmed

Galatians 2:1–5 ESV

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.

1. The Gospel Tested

Paul Submits his Message (2:1-2)

Galatians 2:1–2 ESV

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.

We note that Paul went to submit his message to the apostles not to win favor with the Judaizers or others, but to show that he was following what God told him to do.

The missionary work Paul had accomplished to the Gentiles was certainly known. We saw last week in 1:23 that people were talking about this Paul who once persecuted Christians, but now preached Christ.

The idea of “running in vain”: “Here it is the unity of the church and the power of the gospel to hold the church together that would be nullified. It is not the gospel itself that is endangered but the work of Paul among the Gentiles and the relationships among Gentile and Jewish Christians.”

Grant R. Osborne, Galatians: Verse by Verse, Osborne New Testament Commentaries (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017), 50.

Paul’s Message and Defense (2:3-5)

Galatians 2:3–5 ESV

But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.

Titus a Greek Gentile who converted to Christ and worked alongside Paul.

Worked in Corinth. Even a letter of NT named after him.

Titus: a Greek, Gentile and so was not circumcised.

The meeting in Jerusalem proved that Gentiles did not need to be circumcised. None of the apostles or leaders at Jerusalem required Titus to do so. And so Titus was not—and he became proof that the Gospel is by grace/faith and not of the law.

But, yet, there were “false brothers.” They attempted to derail the agreed upon conclusion.

They had “slipped in” “spied” and wanted to “enslave” them.

But notice Paul’s resolve: he did not give in to them one iota.

Grant Osborne: “The gospel of Christ must remain pure, and no external means of salvation, like circumcision or adherence to the Mosaic regulations may be added to it. If religious practices or legal observances are made part of the mix, the gospel is robbed of its purity and truth. Only Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross can suffice, for that alone has redemptive power to forgive our sins and make us right with God. Any other action, whether good works or covenant rite, will destroy that purity and obviate the work of God in salvation. In our own time this threat is carried on in the equally heretical works-righteousness approach to salvation. Salvation comes not through our good deeds but only by belief in Christ and the cross (Eph 2:8–9).”

Grant R. Osborne, Galatians: Verse by Verse, Osborne New Testament Commentaries (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017), 53.

Conclusion: Paul’s Message is The Gospel (2:6)

Galatians 2:6 ESV

And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.

Those who were “influential,” talking about the apostles in Jerusalem, esp Peter, James, and John (see 2:9).

They added nothing.

2. The Gospel Affirmed

The Right Hand of Fellowship (2:7-9)

Galatians 2:7–9 ESV

On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

Not only did the leadership in Jerusalem not add anything to Paul’s message, they affirmed it—even ratified it—giving it their seal of approval.

Just as Peter was made an apostle of Christ, Paul was made an apostle by Christ. Peter to the Jews; Paul to the Gentiles.

“Right hand of fellowship” = accepted as brothers and having equivalent ministries.

Right hand = power

Fellowship = partnership

Just Remember This (2:10)

Galatians 2:10 ESV

Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

May seem out of place to us here, but we need to remember two things:

Barnabas and Paul and Famine Relief

In Acts 11:27-30

Acts 11:27–30 ESV

Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

The Early Church and the Poor

Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-34; 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8-9

3. We Must Affirm The One Gospel

We Must Test “Gospel Messages”

1 John 4:1 ESV

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 Timothy 4:3–4 ESV

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Matthew 7:15 ESV

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

There is a true Gospel and a false Gospel.

Just because a person calls himself pastor, minister, preacher, or teacher, it does not follow that he must be one.

We Must Call Out False Gospels

Titus 1:9 ESV

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

2 Timothy 4:2 ESV

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Galatians 5:7 ESV

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

Galatians 5:10 ESV

I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.

Paul calls out Judaizers in Galatians, false teachers in 1 Cor., Colossae, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy

Even calls them out by name:

2 Timothy 4:14–15 ESV

Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.

3 John 9–10 ESV

I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

We are to judge other’s messages for the sake of salvation and the church.

Shall we leave the sheep vulnerable to be eaten and ravished by wolves?

Illustration of child about to be in harms way. (Pics of animal attack; then substitute with child)

It is not loving to allow false Gospels to flourish.

The pastor ought to have two voices: one for gathering the sheep, and another for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both; for he who is deeply skilled in it will be able both to govern those who are teachable, and to refute the enemies of the truth.

John Calvin

When the shepherd speaks well of the wolf, the sheep are in trouble.

Anonymous

It is madness for sheep to talk peace with a wolf.

Talk about the elephant in the room: “do not judge”

John 7:24 ESV

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Quote from Rainer, Surprising Insights

He who does not guard the sheep against wolves differs not at all from a wolf.

Martin Luther

We Must Affirm the True Gospel

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