Lesson 510

(Lesson 510)(01-08-13) Galatians 2:1-10, "Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 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. But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: And 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: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 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 Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do."

This lesson exposes the split between what Peter and the original Apostles, were preaching to the Jewish converts, as opposed to what Paul was teaching to the Gentiles.

It appears that, because of the pressure and threats, put upon them by the Jewish hierarchy and out of fear for their lives, Peter and the original Apostles were still insisting that portions of Moses' law, such as circumcision and not eating with the unclean (Gentiles), be required of the new converts to Christianity.

Paul, although at first relenting to small insignificant portions of the law, such as refraining from fornication and the consuming of animal blood, was adamantly against applying the requirements of the old law upon the Gentile converts. Paul was correct in this teaching because of what Jesus Himself had taught and the fact that Jesus, through His death, burial and resurrection, had fulfilled all of the requirements of the Law of Moses for those who would believe in Him. Matthew 5:17, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."

The definition of the word fulfill, according to Strong's is: "to render full, i.e. to complete; to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim; to consummate: a number; to make complete in every particular, to render perfect; to carry through to the end, to accomplish, carry out, (some undertaking). "

This definition releases those whom have accepted the sacrifice of Christ from ANY of the restrictions of the law. Those things that were declared sin under the law are NO LONGER sin to those who believe. Remember John 3:9, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."

Sadly, the dissension that has so distorted and watered down the pure gospel of Christ was started among the very Apostles that Jesus selected to preach it.

The weakness demonstrated by those closest to Jesus is still alive and well within many of us today. We should continually thank God that we have His Holy Word written down so that it cannot be distorted accept by those who choose to ignore the blatant truth. ~