"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."
In today's quote, Paul recounted, after fourteen years, his journey back to Jerusalem and his meeting with the original twelve Apostles in the temple.
Some devout Jews who hated Paul and wanted him imprisoned for not adhering strictly to the Law of Moses, had infiltrated the Church at Jerusalem. Those Jews knew Titus was a Greek Gentile and had never been circumcised, therefore, they laid a trap to charge Paul with defiling the temple by bringing in an uncircumcised Gentile.
Although James, Cephas, and John had confirmed Paul and Titus before hand, the situation with the hard line Jews set up, and accomplished, a showdown between Paul and Peter concerning what was, and was not, to be taught as the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
In today's text, Paul also made it clear, as was stated in yesterday's lesson, that Peter and the others had been appointed by Jesus to preach the gospel uniquely to the Jews, whereas Paul, was uniquely chosen to preach that gospel to the Gentiles.
Tomorrows lesson concerns the showdown between Paul and Peter and contains some serious charges levied by Paul against Peter.~
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