THE CONFIRMATION OF THE GOSPEL

Ever since that fateful day in the Garden of Eden there has been a battle over the truth of the gospel. When the serpent tempted Eve he asked “did God really say that? Is that what He really meant?”

In the time of the early church, beginning with the Judaizers, and followed by many other versions of false teaching, the challenge to the truth has always risen. Jesus claimed that the truth will set us free. He claimed that He is the embodiment of the truth. He claimed that God’s Word is truth. But Pilate wondered if there really was any such thing as truth.

During the time of the Protestant Reformation, the reformers sought to bring the truth of the gospel back to the forefront. John Calvin wrote:

“With what [presumption] then will the Papists boast that they possess the gospel, which is not only corrupted by many inventions, but more than adulterated by many wicked doctrines? Let us remember that it is not enough to retain the name of the gospel, and some kind of summary of its doctrines, if its solid purity does not remain untouched.” (Calvin, pg. 52).

Today we continue in our series NO OTHER GOSPEL. Chapter 1 of Galatians has been summarized by the statement “no alternatives to the gospel. While chapter 2 has been summarized by the statement: “no additives to the gospel. As we look at we should note that Paul was contending for the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we do so we will look at the background of the events, the advocates of the true gospel, the insurgents of a false gospel, and the confirmation of the true gospel. You may want to place a marker of some kind in , as we will consider several sections of this historical account while looking at the background of the events written of in . But for now lets read our text.

THE BACKGROUND OF EVENTS

Paul’s Trips to Jerusalem

()

Two Theories as to Which Trip is in View

— the Jerusalem Council

Same parties

Their gospel message was opposed by false brothers

They were discussing the same issue

The meeting resulted in the message that Paul preached being confirmed

— the Relief Mission

Same parties

The trip was made in response to a revelation

He made the trip to help with the poor, which is in keeping with

The Jerusalem Council in settled the dispute with an official decree which was distributed to all of the churches (including those in Galatia)

If Galatians was written after the Council it would seem odd that Paul didn’t mention the public council or its decision

THE ADVOCATES OF THE TRUE GOSPEL

The Antioch Contingent

Paul

Barnabas

Titus

The Jerusalem Contingent

Paul’s references to the Jerusalem contingent seem to some to be sarcastic or even demeaning. But we need to keep in mind that the enemies of the gospel were stating that the Jerusalem apostles were more or less super apostles. While Paul was something less than a true apostle. Calvin actually challenged the opinion that the statements were sarcastic. Rather he believed they were truthful statements of common knowledge about these men.

Those who were of reputation (vs. 2)

Those who were of high reputation (vs. 6)

Those who were reputed as pillars (vs. 9)

James

Cephas

John

Paul stated that these men of high repute did not add anything to the message which he and Barnabas presented. Philip Ryken: (pg. 46)

“It is impossible to refinish the finished work of Christ. The gospel says that through his death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has done everything that needs to be done for our salvation. If we were to try to add anything to that free and gracious gospel, it would be like taking an Olympic gold medal and having it bronzed! The good news of the cross and the empty tomb cannot be improved; it can only be destroyed.”

THE INSURGENTS OF A FALSE GOSPEL

The False Contingent

Literally “pseudo-brethren”

These people were not true believers in Jesus Christ, they only pretended to be

Satan uses things that seem to be harmless to distort the truth of the gospel

Spiritual Espionage

Covert operators are sneaky and deceptive

The Goal of Espionage

To take away our liberty in Christ

Enslavement

John Stott (Ryken pg. 50-51).

“The Christian has been set free from the law in the sense that his acceptance before God depends entirely upon God’s grace in the death of Jesus Christ received by faith. To introduce the works of the law and make our acceptance depend on our obedience to rules and regulations was to bring a free man into bondage again.”

The Antioch Contingents Reaction

“We did not yield”

Martin Luther said:

“We can stand the loss of our possessions, our name, our life, and everything else; but we will not let ourselves be deprived of the Gospel, our faith, and Jesus Christ. And that is that.”

THE CONFIRMATION OF THE TRUE GOSPEL

TWO PEOPLE GROUPS BUT ONE GOSPEL

Peter was entrusted with the gospel to the Jews

Paul was entrusted with the gospel to the Gentiles

We need to understand that the same gospel is intended for all people groups. There is not a different gospel message for each group

The same Holy Spirit empowered both apostles

Note that the Holy Spirit is also referred to as “the grace … given to me.”

Paul message and apostleship was confirmed by the extension of the right hand of fellowship

John Calvin pointed out that the Jerusalem Contingent did not debate the points of the gospel with the Antioch contingent. They simply confirmed that it was one and the same message.

Closing song: #321 — When I Survey