Confirmed In Jerusalem Series

Confirmed in Jerusalem

Galatians 2: 1-10

Since the Garden of Eden, Satan has been working against the plans and purposes of God regarding humanity. As one reads the Scriptures, a pattern of resistance and opposition is prevalent against those who sought to proclaim the truth. The prophets of old were persecuted and their words were rejected. Jesus was not received as the Son of God, being rejected and crucified with the consent of the Jewish elite. The apostles faced continued persecution and opposition. As the church began to grow, she felt the hand of persecution as well. The same continues in our day. Satan opposes the truth of God’s Word and those who proclaim the Word.

Paul was certainly no different in regard to persecution and opposition. Granted, his being part of those who vigorously persecuted the church added to the skepticism of some, but even within the church, Satan had influenced many who opposed the ministry of Paul. In the text before us, Paul reveals the encounter he had in Jerusalem and the affirmation he received there. This should have put to rest many of the accusations and concerns regarding his calling and ministry. As we examine the events described in the text, I want to consider: Confirmed in Jerusalem.

I. Paul’s Entrance at Jerusalem (1-2) – In these opening verses, we discover Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem following a lengthy absence. Consider:

A. The Time Elapsed (1a) – Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem. It had been fourteen years since Paul’s brief visit to Jerusalem which he described in the previous passage. He had left the city after getting acquainted with Peter and continued his ministry in the regions of Syria and Cilicia. He doesn’t reveal any further communication with the other apostles. Paul was content to follow the leadership of the Spirit, preaching the gospel where the Lord desired. (Some scholars believe this return to Jerusalem was for the Jerusalem council recorded in Acts 15. It was at this council, the church debated the very issues Paul is seeking to combat in Galatia – the demands of adhering to law and tradition in addition to grace for salvation. (Application – Like Paul, we need to continue serving the Lord faithfully according to His plans and purposes, even if it feels as if we are serving in obscurity.)

B. The Team Assembled (1) – Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. As Paul returned to Jerusalem, he did not make the trip alone. Barnabas and Titus accompanied him on his return. Barnabas was well known to those within the church at Jerusalem. When Paul originally came to Jerusalem, following his conversion, Barnabas brought him to the apostles declaring the validity of his conversion and ministry, Acts 9:27. In Acts 11, Barnabas was sent by the church in Jerusalem to go to Antioch and support the believers there. Following his arrival in Antioch, he departed to Tarsus to seek Paul, Acts 11:25. This began their work together on Paul’s first missionary journey.

It is interesting, and a strategic move, that Paul brought Titus with him to Jerusalem. Titus, being an uncircumcised Gentile, who was also a committed believer in Christ and proclaimer of the gospel, would assist Paul in his argument against such legalism and attacks on the gospel of faith in Christ alone.

C. The Truth Expressed (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. Paul’s return to Jerusalem was not based on any personal motives. He was led of the Lord to return to Jerusalem in order to defend and further affirm his call to preach unto the Gentiles. He reasoned privately with “those of the reputation” regarding his ministry to the Gentiles and their salvation by grace, which was no different than the gospel being preached by the other apostles and the miraculous salvation of the Jews. He argued that if these were not being genuinely saved, as were many Jews, his ministry of seventeen years, at this point, would have been in vain. (We cannot limit God in His dealings with humanity. We received the call to take the gospel to the nations and we ought to expect the salvation of the nations!)

II. Paul’s Encounter at Jerusalem (3-5) – Here Paul describes the encounter he and Titus had with Judaizers upon returning to Jerusalem. Notice:

A. The Presence of Titus (3) – But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. Again, I am convinced Paul brought Titus with him in order to oppose the addition of works to salvation, demanded by the Judaizers, and present a case in point of the genuine conversion of a Gentile. While the Judaizers would have liked to have demanded the circumcision of Titus to be accepted as a true believer, they did not compel him to endure such a demand. (We must guard against any form of addition to the gospel of grace. While circumcision is not a hot topic today, many congregations have expectations and demands outside of faith in Christ alone.)