CHAPTER 2

1
Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabus,
and took Titus with us also.

Paul said in Gal. 1:18 that it was 3 years after his conversion he visited
Jerusalem. So, the 14 years would be dated from that time.

He went with Barnabus and Titus. Barnabus was a familiar companion
of Paul. Titus was probably one of Paul's converts to Christianity
(See Titus 1:4 where Paul calls Titus "my true child after the common faith."

2
And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel
which I preached 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 purpose for that visit was to "communicate" the Gospel that he
had received "by revelation" from the Lord.
He communicated his manner of preaching in private to a few of the
leaders.

Paul probably feared that, in a public assembly, he would be in conflict
with some of those who held Jewish customs dear. In a public manner
he would be thought wrong by going to the Gentiles.

In Acts 11:17-18 Peter told the assembly that God had conferred
upon Gentile believers the gift of the Holy Spirit.
And, the assembly said, "Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted
repentance unto life."

Probably, that incident happened while Paul was starting churches
elsewhere.

In Acts 9:15-16, Jesus had told Ananias to anoint Saul (Paul) because
"he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles,
and kings, and the children of Israel."

Paul was successful in preventing misunderstanding by going to several
leaders individually.

3-5
But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled
to be circumcised:
And that becuse 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:
To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth
of the gospel might continue with you.

Some of those Jewish people may have held dearly to the rite of
circumcision for salvation.
Peter had preached in Acts 10:34-35 that "...God is no respecter of
persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh
righteousness, is accepted with Him."

Therefore, we can surmise, that there were some who came alongside
and yet denied the "liberty which we have in Christ Jesus."

However, Paul resisted the thought that one must submit to the rites
and rituals of the old law, which were now of no effect because Christ
gives salvation freely to "..whosoever believeth in Him..." (John 3:16)
While we may understand that some physicians believe circumcision
to be sanitary, we must know it is NOT necessary for salvation.

And, Paul said that so that "...the TRUTH of the gospel might
CONTINUE with you."

6-9
But 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:
But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision
was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto
Peter;
(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the
circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars,
perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and
Barnabus the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the
heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

The TRUTH of the Gospel to the Gentiles was ACCEPTED by the
"pillars" (James, Cephas and John).

Circumcision is NOT necessary to be saved.
As Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:13-16....
"13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are
made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down
the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of
commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of
twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the
cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

The "law" convicts us of our sinfulness!
It becomes a "middle wall of partition" that SEPARATES us from
God, because He is perfectly holy and we are NOT!
And ALL of us, constantly, fall under the conviction of the law!

HOWEVER, BUT GOD!!
God has PROVIDED DEATH to the conviction of the law by the
sacrifice of Jesus on the cross!!
And, in Christ Jesus is the OFFER of reconciliation!

We must not forget that the law is our "schoolmaster."
It IS a guide to live by; but it SHOWS us our FAILURE to abide
by it!

But let us NEVER forget that JESUS is "the way, the truth, and the
life..." to all who surrender to Him!

10
Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which
I also was forward to do.

The assembly wanted Paul to "remember the poor."
In other words, he and his company should lay aside financial
support for those in monetary distress in Jerusalem.

Paul also thought that was a necessity to Christian life.
He and his people collected money for the poor in Judaea and
brought it to the elders there.

You and I, Christians, should also care for the poor.

11-14
11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face,
because he was to be blamed.
12 For 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.
13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that
Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14 But 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?

Sometimes, people become so LEGALISTIC as to NOT be
SPIRITUAL.

Peter (in Antioch, an ancient Greek city on the Eastern side of
the Orontes River), ate only with the Jewish people. In other words
he WITHDREW from socializing with the Gentiles.
Many Jews believed that eating with a Gentile meant degrading
themselves, and caused them to be UNclean!

A legalistic attitude like that could mean a tear in the symmetry
of the church.
And, it still happens today!

I remember a man who came forward with a confession of faith
in Christ. He was a known alcoholic.
One of our deacons told me he was not sure we should welcome
him until he proved his faith in Jesus by giving up the alcohol.
But the deacon did not know that the man had ALREADY given up
alcohol several months before!
And that man, who came down the aisle, later led 7 of his children and
several of his grandchildren to Christ!

Salvation, by the grace of God, through Jesus Christ is FREE
to ALL upon surrender to Jesus as LORD!

15-16
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16 Knowing 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.

Paul now reminds Peter that "justification" is "by the faith of Jesus Christ
and not by the works of the law."

The terms "Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles" is a term
to which Peter could relate.
And, Jews knew (or should have known) that justification cannot be
ONLY by the law.
The REASON they should have known is that OFTEN they had to bring
sacrifices for their sin.

But, when Christ came, now ALL should know that "justification" before
almighty God MUST come ONLY through faith in Jesus Christ.
ALL the sacrifices of the Old Testament POINTED TO the ONE sacrifice
which Jesus made.
Jesus IS "the Lamb of GOD!"
That means Jesus is the ONE and ONLY "perfect" offering!
And the reason is that Jesus was God, making an offering TO God on
the behalf of all mankind!

The "works of the law" Christians DO!
But, we do them by the power of God IN us through justification by Jesus!
(See Philippians 2:13)
The "works of the law" cannot SAVE; ONLY surrender to Christ in trust can
bring salvation, sanctification and justification!

17-20
17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners,
is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
20 I 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.

There is no doubt that Christians, saved by grace - through faith in Christ, are
STILL SINNERS!!
May I point out that Romans 3:23 is written in the present perfect verb tense!
And, that means "ALL HAVE SINNED," or that ALL ARE SINNERS NOW!

So then, ALL Christians must admit to sin.
Now - can that be attributed to something Jesus said or did?
NO!!

The "law" cannot bring us salvation.
But, the "law" must be our "schoolmaster!"
Jesus commanded, "Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect!"
(Matt. 5:48)

In other words, Jesus commanded that the true believer will STRIVE to live according
to the law.
We DO fail! We ARE sinners by nature and choice.
But, keeping the goal ahead of us, we should strive diligently to meet it!

WHEN we sin, we cannot say Jesus ALLOWED it!
We MUST say, "God, please FORGIVE me!"

Now, Paul knew that Peter was aware of the former.
In verses 18-19 above, Paul appeals to Peter's understanding of being justified
ONLY through faith in Christ.
One can see that Peter was trying to "build again" the law of being SEPARATED
from the Gentiles.
THAT kind of action proves in in the life of the believer.

Let's use a little illustrative analysis here.
Christians are not better than ANYONE else, they are just better TODAY than they
were YESTERDAY!!
And, only so, because they are STRIVING toward the goal!

We are indeed a "peculiar people" (1Peter 2:9).
We should appear DIFFERENT to others; but we must not disassociate ourselves
from those who do not know Christ;
BECAUSE we are also "a royal priesthood" (1Peter 2:9) commanded to share
the Gospel of Jesus with others!

We must walk "ON the line;" but we must also veer "BETWEEN the lines" in order
to share Christ with others!

One of the most beautiful descriptions of true faith is in verse 20 above.
INDEED!! I must DIE to self, and LIVE to Christ!!
That is the Christian PURPOSE for life on this planet!

21
"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness came by the law, then
Christ is dead in vain."

This is a sort of conclusion to his talk with Peter.

The word "frustrate" is translated from the Greek athetoo meaning to
abolish, or to make void.
The "grace of God" through Christ extends to ALL mankind!
NO ONE can "abolish" that which God has GIVEN!

Nothing illustrates the Bible intention of the last part of that verse like
Romans 10:9-10. (See the commentary on Rom. 10:9-10)

The righteousness of God CANNOT come by the law!
BUT, it HAS come through surrender to Jesus as LORD!

FOR, "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."

REAL life is "in Christ!"
And, REAL life is "for Christ!"

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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