Jerusalem Council Cont. Series

Galatians 2:6-13

“Jerusalem Council cont.”

• Vs. 6 “These who seemed to be somewhat” is also translated those who were of high reputation, that is the other Apostles.

o Why is Paul seemingly using a negative description of the other apostles?

o Also in vs. 9 “who seemed to be pillars”

o Paul was using the terms that the Judaizers were using against him, that he was either a lesser apostle or not one at all (being sarcastic).

• Again Paul was not looking to the Apostles for their approval or correction of the message he was preaching (that salvation was also for the Gentiles free and without works).

• Paul understood that all men, even the apostles, were all sinners saved by grace, lest any man should boast; and therefore all were equals because of God’s grace.

• Vv. 7-8 Despite the taunts of this other group, the other apostles recognized Paul not only as an apostle, but as an equal.

o Note: There were not two gospels: better said “gospel to the un-circumcision and circumcision” only the audience changed, not the gospel.

• “He” in vs. 8 is speaking of the Holy Spirit; the same Spirit of God that empowered Peter to preach to his Jewish brothers and sisters was the same Spirit that empowered Paul to preach to the Gentiles.

• Vs. 9 This was a common public gesture of unity, even though they sought to reach different people groups in different parts of the world, they were unified over the gospel of Jesus Christ

o Evidence of this from Scripture: Acts 21:17-20a; 2 Peter 3:15-16

o Its all about getting the gospel right: that is how we be in unity with other denominations, as long as we get the gospel right!

• Vs. 10 The saints in the church at Jerusalem were suffering and struggling to meet even the basic needs of life.

o Salvation of Jewish pilgrims who then stayed in Jerusalem.

o Persecution

• Which Paul was doing already (Acts 11) and was eager to keep on doing.

o Romans 15:25-26

o 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

o 2 Corinthians 8:1-4

• Vs. 11 “The Clash”

o Paul confronted Peter personally because Peter was wrong and sinful in his actions.

o Matthew 18:15 – the importance of doing it right

• Vs. 12 “The Cause”

o Peter was acting like a hypocrite;

o Eating and having fellowship with the Gentiles over a long period of time.

o Then these Jewish Christians, claiming to be from James, show up and Peter stops.  claim to be from James (Acts 15:24)

o The worse part is that Peter did it out of fear.

• Vs. 13 “The Consequences”

o Not only Peter but others followed his lead, including Barnabas.

• Barnabas was a pastor of this church.

• A friend of and companion of Paul.

• He had preached to the Gentiles with Paul.

o Those following Peter was bad enough, but think how those Gentile Christians felt now.

o That is how our sin can have a ripple effect beyond our own lives.

• All this happened because Peter was afraid of a confrontation with a group of men who he knew to be wrong.

o How often do we bend over backwards to appease this world in order to avoid confrontation?

• Read our Bibles in public.

• Pray at school, work, or in a restaurant.

• Talk openly about Jesus Christ.