Paul’s Stand Against Subversive Agents
This is a continuation in the Book of Galatians. We see Paul confront those who would make all Believers first Jews.
Galatians 2:1-21(KJV) 1Then
fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus
with me also.
2And 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.
3But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to
be circumcised:
4And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in
privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might
bring us into bondage:
5To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the
truth of the gospel might continue with you.
6But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it
maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to
be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
7But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the
uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was
unto Peter;
8(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the
circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
9And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars,
perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the
right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they
unto the circumcision.
10Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same
which I also was forward to do.
11But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face,
because he was to be blamed.
12For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the
Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing
them which were of the circumcision.
13And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that
Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the
truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a
Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why
compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
15We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but
by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we
might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for
by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
17But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also
are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
18For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a
transgressor.
19For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto
God.
20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the
faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come
by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Companions of Paul - 1
Godly help
Gainful help – we all need to be such
Close to God – 2a
Communicated Christ
Carefully and specifically to leaders – 2c-2d
Clandestine “brothers” - 4
Hurtful
Courageousness against falseness – 5
Firm
Fawned not
Certified ministry to the Gentiles – 7
Lord’s worker recognized in Paul - 7
Lord’s workers recognized by Paul - 8
Lord’s work accepted by both groups - 9
Lord’s needful minded - 10
Condemnation of Peter - 11
Afforded believers his fellowship
Affronted Gentiles (and Paul) by trying to appease the “Jewish Circumcism Party”
Affected even Barnabus (“Son of encouragement”)
Confrontation in front of all - 14
Peter had treated them as less
Christ is the Key item – 16
Freed by Christ to believe completely
Crucified with Christ – 20
Confident of the grace of Christ - 20
Confident in the plan for grace through the death of Christ - 21
Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 02212010pm