Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery—to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
It is interesting that Paul is just breezing by so much of his life and ministry, to the point. This letter is lacking the charm of his usually letters – in fact the intro and prayer is the shortest of any of his letters. It seems that Paul is quite angry at the false brothers and their insistence on circumcision, and his surprise at how easily the churches in Galatia have left the freedom of the Gospel.
Paul goes out of his way here to show that the leadership of Jerusalem, the head “Elders” over seeing some 20-40 thousand individuals in Jerusalem, did not require Titus (the Greek, the Greek in Jerusalem!) to be circumcised. So, where is the argument then from the new brothers (aka – the Judiazers).
Paul even points out that this is not new to him. He had to argue and stand firm with men even on that trip who were insisting on enslaving Greeks to a law that no Jew could live under. Paul is in love with the FREEDOM that we get with Jesus. The idea of grace is revolutionary in the spiritual life of a believer—unless they never understand it. And some, even in Jerusalem can’t see past their own traditions and history.
Bottom Line:
• The argument against the Judiazers is beginning to be made – remember that this letter is written aloud in public by a letter carrier approved by Paul.
• There is a new era established with Jesus. A New Covenant, contract, testament. There is freedom and truth in the message of Jesus – the freedom to be free in your conscious and freedom to actually serve God for the correct reasons.
As I sit here in India:
• There is much in my life that I could slump back into. There is much in my history before Jesus and the last 16 years with him, that I could let drag me down. But I must not let the past rule me… nor must I let the Gospel become a chain about me. It has freed me from my chains, from myself even. Joy comes with proper perspective—Lord let me never see it any other way!
5.04.2009
4.29.2009
Galatians 1:18-23
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brothers. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.
Paul is continuing to build his case for not only his authority, but his unique authority. He is confident, as he should be. As a peer he traveled to Jerusalem three years after seeing Jesus on the road to Damascus. He is unique in his revelation of Jesus, but still he is the gentile representative (specifically) as Peter is the Jewish representative of Christ.
What is odd is the mentioning of James “the Lord’s brother”. This is the same James mentioned several times in the book of Acts, and the author of the New Testament book of James. It would appear that James and Jude (both brothers of Jesus) came to faith and grew into leaders of the Jerusalem church. Considered apostles… they were pillars. Perhaps this is why the disciples of Jesus became known as “The Twelve” and not just “The Apostles” in the first several decades of the church. Never the less. Paul is showing that the two largest leaders welcome him after 3 years of ministry.
Paul’s defense here should be taken to heart. He needs to make a thorough defense of himself, his message and his authority as a Spiritual Father to these churches that he helped start. He will be rebuking and challenging the false brothers, false teachers and a false test of faith that is invading the Galatian church later on. The deeper the rebuke, the deeper the defense of himself needs to be at the offset.
Perhaps the earliest records of Paul’s testimony would have been heard by others… “the one who once persecuted the church is now preaching the faith he tried to destroy.” And Paul gives credit where it is due! The churches glorified that Christ could forgive, and then use a man like Paul.
Bottom Line:
• Paul was unique because he was not an apostle sent by “men” but by God. However, this also means that he is not sent by the apostles either. Jesus appeared to Paul and “sent” him (appointed him). So Paul is a co-worker to the apostles and not a messenger of theirs.
• It is kinda natural in a way that the out of the norm apostle is the one that is also the out of Judea apostle. It must have been a jolt at first that Paul (who grew up away from Jerusalem, but studied and was on the fast track to being a major leader in the Sanhedrin (Jewish Senate) would then be “exiled” into church planting all over the Roman world.
As I sit here in India:
• I guess one has to be careful of all the “dreams of men”. Just because someone claims something, doesn’t mean it is the truth. I think Paul is showing that the Apostles were correctly cautious in welcoming Paul. And the Paul was also cautious in meeting them. Both so that “his gospel” (the way he preached Jesus) would not be influenced by them, and so his ministry would stand alone from “the twelve”.
Paul is continuing to build his case for not only his authority, but his unique authority. He is confident, as he should be. As a peer he traveled to Jerusalem three years after seeing Jesus on the road to Damascus. He is unique in his revelation of Jesus, but still he is the gentile representative (specifically) as Peter is the Jewish representative of Christ.
What is odd is the mentioning of James “the Lord’s brother”. This is the same James mentioned several times in the book of Acts, and the author of the New Testament book of James. It would appear that James and Jude (both brothers of Jesus) came to faith and grew into leaders of the Jerusalem church. Considered apostles… they were pillars. Perhaps this is why the disciples of Jesus became known as “The Twelve” and not just “The Apostles” in the first several decades of the church. Never the less. Paul is showing that the two largest leaders welcome him after 3 years of ministry.
Paul’s defense here should be taken to heart. He needs to make a thorough defense of himself, his message and his authority as a Spiritual Father to these churches that he helped start. He will be rebuking and challenging the false brothers, false teachers and a false test of faith that is invading the Galatian church later on. The deeper the rebuke, the deeper the defense of himself needs to be at the offset.
Perhaps the earliest records of Paul’s testimony would have been heard by others… “the one who once persecuted the church is now preaching the faith he tried to destroy.” And Paul gives credit where it is due! The churches glorified that Christ could forgive, and then use a man like Paul.
Bottom Line:
• Paul was unique because he was not an apostle sent by “men” but by God. However, this also means that he is not sent by the apostles either. Jesus appeared to Paul and “sent” him (appointed him). So Paul is a co-worker to the apostles and not a messenger of theirs.
• It is kinda natural in a way that the out of the norm apostle is the one that is also the out of Judea apostle. It must have been a jolt at first that Paul (who grew up away from Jerusalem, but studied and was on the fast track to being a major leader in the Sanhedrin (Jewish Senate) would then be “exiled” into church planting all over the Roman world.
As I sit here in India:
• I guess one has to be careful of all the “dreams of men”. Just because someone claims something, doesn’t mean it is the truth. I think Paul is showing that the Apostles were correctly cautious in welcoming Paul. And the Paul was also cautious in meeting them. Both so that “his gospel” (the way he preached Jesus) would not be influenced by them, and so his ministry would stand alone from “the twelve”.
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