Galatians 2:1-10 REVELATION AND ACCEPTANCE One of the most important events in church history took place when Paul, Barnabas, Titus, and some other brethren from Antioch went to Jerusalem to meet with Peter, John, James the Lord's brother, and other brothers from the church there. This was no "spur of the moment" journey. They met to deal with an ongoing difference between Jewish brethren in Jerusalem and Gentile Christians in Antioch. This was a very serious matter to the Lord, and He sent Paul there by a revelation of His divine will. It is not a light matter to God when a division among God's people looms on the horizon. Division among brethren is one of the specific things listed in scripture that God hates. The result of division, and even a divisive spirit effectively stops the work of God by side-tracking the minds of the Lord's people. Often it is something quite insignificant such as a difference of opinion between believers on some obscure matter. However, in this instance, there was a fundamental doctrine as it relates to the Gospel itself that had to be addressed.
The revelation from the Lord to Paul, directing him to go to Jerusalem, teaches us that God is involved in the life of an assembly as well as in everything we do when we seek to further the work of the Lord. There is another side to the matter in that spiritual men know when some matter has the potential to create a long- lasting problem. When that issue arises, there is no reason to wait, hoping the problem will go away. Anything that would potentially cause a split in a church needs to be dealt with so that unity among God's people can be maintained. The doctrine of leadership among assemblies of God's people is important. Not all the people of the Jerusalem and Antioch assemblies came together. There were "certain brethren" who were involved in this meeting and could represent the two sides of the matter and resolve it in a godly, scriptural way.
Jews historically had ceremonies like circumcision they practiced, and feast days they kept that were part of their past religion. When the New Testament (new covenant) came in, many of them just added New Testament teaching to Old Testament practices and the laws given on Mt. Sinai. To them, the work of Christ on the cross did not fulfill the demands of the law. They did not see that "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." They did not understand and/or accept the fact that "Christ fulfilled the law and made it honorable." There are some "Christian" denominations that teach believers in Christ today that are part of Israel - sort of an add-on to those old covenant teachings. They don't understand nor accept that "the middle wall of partition" has been broken down and "one new man" is the result of the work of Christ for us. We are accepted by the Righteous God because we are "found in Him," made righteous because of the righteousness of Christ that has been given to us.
Some Pharisees were at the meeting and they insisted that Titus, a Greek, be circumcised in order to be saved. To them, all those who responded to the Gospel from the Gentiles had to become Jews. Paul stood adamantly opposed to that teaching and did not compromise one bit by having Titus circumcised. If he had acquiesced to the demand of the Pharisees, the fundamental doctrine of salvation by grace alone would have been negated. The church would have gone backward to be just another group of Jews and teaching that man's work is what makes us acceptable to God. When we gather in fellowship at the Lord's Supper, we demonstrate unity in Christ. Different nationalities, backgrounds, and cultures do not affect the fellowship we have when we come together in worship and remembrance of Christ. There is mutual acceptance because of salvation by grace alone and a commitment to follow Christ and His word. The old covenant is no longer applicable to those God has saved.
The position people hold in the world does not give them authority to determine what biblical teaching is correct, nor are they able to dictate assembly practices based on their opinions. We do not want to allow the attempts to intimidate us by powerful men to determine what we believe and practice. Paul is telling the Galatians that this fundamental matter of salvation without works was clarified and accepted by other apostles at the Jerusalem meeting. They did not make the doctrine. They clarified what God had already made clear. The false teachers were exposed and the matter was dealt with at that time. Now those people with that opinion had come to Galatia and no one there was opposing them. James, Peter, and John clearly expressed the truth in the written words at the conclusion of the meeting. The effort to "compel" Titus to be circumcised had failed, and false brethren who were there to "spy out our liberty" in Christ Jesus were exposed for who they were.
Those men who opposed the Gospel in Jerusalem, and Galatia, at that time, were "false" as Paul described them. Such people still are today. Those are not true believers but are like traitors who want to take advantage of new believers and overthrow the freedom we have in Christ. Paul and Barnabas did not yield to those people, "No not for an hour," nor should we. The doctrine of justification by faith and our sanctification as believers by faith not works, has to be stood for and taught. Paul knew what he believed and was taught was from God. This truth did not come from those who seemed to be important, not even Peter, but he had been entrusted with the Gospel to the Gentiles by the Lord Himself.
There did not seem to be any difficulty at the end of that meeting of brethren. Those from Jerusalem gave "the right hand of fellowship" to Barnabas and Paul. Even though Paul went to one part of the great harvest field, and Peter to another, they had full fellowship with each other. Paul and Barnabas had brought assistance to the poor in Jerusalem already and it seemed to be an ongoing need at the time. Paul took aid with him to Jerusalem the last time he was there. In our freedom and liberty in Christ, certain things that to some may be demands, are considered a privilege. It is a privilege to support the poor and needy. It is a privilege to support those who are taking the Gospel to the far parts of the world. It is a privilege to make spiritual sacrifices from grateful hearts. Knowing Christ changes everything we want to do, to be according to His will; to be something of lasting value, is a worshipful act of thanksgiving and appreciation.
That group of men came together drawn by God with good intent. Their spirits were moved in fellowship together because it was God who sent These men to meet and come to a fundamental and spiritual conclusion, Before the difference of opinion, they had; among God’s people created division.
Reasonable men who are led by God; lead by divine appointment They have the scriptures of truth and the Holy Spirit to support their responsible commitment. The pressure put on them by false teachers who come have behind them the desire to deceive,
But that attempt does not turn aside those whom God’s word believes.
When potential divisions come because of man’s opinion, Take time to consider what will be the conclusion. Some decisions will adversely affect a few. Other’s, eternal destination may be sealed by what you do.
To quietly talk things over as reasonable men, Will usually solve most problems in the final end. Carefully review together what God had first in mind. And the Spirit-guided conclusion will not be hard to find.
“Father, please help us in making the right decisions here. There are a lot of speculations being made about a matter that is Thy own prerogative. If I have given wrong impressions to people who are asking questions about the future of the work, I confess this wrong. Thanks for Thy gracious forgiveness. May we be able by Thy grace to wait for unmistakable guidance! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”