Galatians 2:1-9 – The True Gospel: Revelation From God Recognised By The Church
Paul has made the claim that he received the gospel message he was teaching directly from Jesus Christ. But he had nothing to fear from other people examining his claim. Because he knew that since it really was a message from God, others would recognise it as that. And so in v1, fourteen years after his conversion, Paul goes up to Jerusalem a second time. He takes two witnesses with him – Barnabas and Titus. These two will be able to tell the Apostles in Jerusalem what Paul has been preaching.
True Christianity has nothing to fear from scrutiny. Those who teach have a huge responsibility from God. To go wrong on the gospel message is to lead peoples’ souls to a lost eternity. And so beware of those who teach, but are resistant to having their teaching checked and examined.
How do the Apostles respond? In v7 they acknowledge that he’s been entrusted with the gospel. In v9 they give him the right hand of fellowship – a public acknowledgement that they’re on the same side. It’s clear for all to see that, despite the claims of the false teachers, Paul really is teaching the same thing as the other Apostles.
Paul wasn’t going to Jerusalem so his teaching could be approved by men. Paul knows that his message has come directly from Jesus Christ. But he’s coming to Jerusalem so that his teaching can be recognised by the other Apostles, so that everyone will know that the gospel that he’s preaching to the Gentiles is the same as what they’ve been preaching to the Jews.
So when someone preaches we should always ask – how does this square with the teaching of the Bible?
Questions
- Why does Paul go to Jerusalem?
- What do the Apostles recognise about his teaching?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would examine everything by the Scriptures.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.