Studies in Jew & Gentile CHAPTERCHAPTER 2 2

Introductory Thoughts Paul’s battle with the Judaizers –Mentioned in Lesson 1 –Troubled church in early days… (What to do with the Gentiles) In Galatians 2, the Apostle references a meeting in Jerusalem with the other Apostles –Our text: vs. 1 –Acts 15:1-4, 12, 22-29

The Jerusalem Council The Lord gave Paul the responsibility to preach to the Gentiles –Our Text: Galatians 2:2; Acts 9:15; 15:12

Acts 9:15 ; 15:12 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel...” “Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.”

The Jerusalem Council The Lord gave Paul the responsibility to preach to the Gentiles –Our Text: Galatians 2:2; Acts 9:15; 15:12 Paul would not compromise with these False Teachers –Our Text: Galatians 2:3-5 –Though Timothy was circumcised, Titus (a Greek) would not be –Contrast with accommodating attitude of Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, esp. 22)

1 Corinthians 9:22 “To the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” (Servant unto all… to the Jews became as a Jew… to them without law, as without law… that I might gain them that are under the law/ that are without law…)

The Jerusalem Council The Lord gave Paul the responsibility to preach to the Gentiles –Our Text: Galatians 2:2; Acts 9:15; 15:12 Paul would not compromise with these False Teachers –Our Text: Galatians 2:3-5 –Though Timothy was circumcised, Titus (a Greek) would not be –Contrast with accommodating attitude of Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, esp. 22) Paul’s ‘right hand of fellowship’ (2:9)

Paul’s Rebuke of Peter Peter was rightly rebuked for his hypocrisy (Our text: 2:11-14a) –Especially grievous, as Peter was the first preacher to the Gentiles (cf. Acts 11:16-18)

Acts 11: Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” 18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

Paul’s Rebuke of Peter Peter was rightly rebuked for his hypocrisy (Our text: 2:11-14a) –Especially grievous noting Peter was the first preacher to the Gentiles (cf. Acts 11:16-18) Rebuke was public because the sin was public –Note the difference between this situation and the private sin of Matthew 18:15-17

Matthew 18: Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

Paul’s Rebuke of Peter Peter was rightly rebuked for his hypocrisy (Our text: 2:11-14a) –Especially grievous noting Peter was the first preacher to the Gentiles (cf. Acts 11:16-18) Rebuke was public because the sin was public –Note the difference between this situation and the private sin of Matthew 18:15-17 The Argument (Our text: 2:14-16) –Gentile is as worthy as the Jew in Christ

Crucified with Christ Context surrounding Gal. 2:20 –Redemption is found in Christ, not the law (cf. vs. 16) –Redemption is found in Christ, therefore we should not desire to resurrect the law (cf. vs ) –Life is in Christ! As Christians, our sole purpose in life is to live worthy of our calling as His bondservants – Note Paul’s attitude (Philippians 1:21, 27)

Philippians 1:21, 27 (21), For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (27), Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

Concluding Thoughts The council in Jerusalem settled once and for all that all men are welcome into the kingdom of God As such, respect must be given to all equally as brethren in Christ As for us, the life that we live should be for Christ, and for Christ alone (“Christ lives in me”)