the epistle to the galatians march 7, 2010 bob eckel 1 the jerusalem conference, part 2: galatians...

The Epistle to the Galatians

March 7, 2010 Bob Eckel 1

The Jerusalem Conference, Part 2: Galatians 2:1-7

• Galatians 2:4 “And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), – Who were these false brethren?

• Legalizers who claimed to believe in Christ but were not biblically saved – II Cor 11:13.

• Certain Pharisees who were saved but were confused regarding the division about circumcision, and between Mosaic Law and grace.

– Thus, they sided with the legalizers – Acts 15:1-5.

• James, half brother of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the other apostles.

– Why did they enter secretly? • pareisaktos – unawares brought in, smuggled in



The Jerusalem Conference, Part 2: Galatians 2:1-7– See II Peter 2:1,2

• Notice NKJV – by stealth

– What was their purpose?• to spy out our liberty

– But Gal 5:1 ‘Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.’

– Isn’t this the legal way?

– What does our liberty mean to us?

» From the penalty of sin – Eph 1:7

» From the power of sin – Rom 6:11

» To serve God in spirit and truth – John 4:23

• that they might bring us into bondage– Or reduce to slavery

– Future, active, indicative – what would occur

– A system of ‘do’s and don’t’s’




– The message to us • II Peter 2:19 ‘While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of

corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.’

• I John 4:1 ‘Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.’

Law and Grace mixed are like oil and water!

• Galatians 2:5 “to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.”– submission or subjection is preceded by the article ‘the’.

• What does this imply?– Is it circumcision only?

– even for an hour, how about for a minute?• apparently a primary word; an “hour” (literal or figurative) :- day, hour,

instant, season, × short, [even-] tide, (high) time.—Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary




– Again, any mixture of law and grace perverts the gospel!• Col 2:8 ‘Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit,

according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.’

• Galatians 2:6 “But from those who seemed to be something - whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man - for those who seemed [to be something] added nothing to me.”– seemed to be something – or of high reputation

• Literally - what sort they once were

– Do you think Paul is referring to the apostles here?• Gal 2:9; Acts 15:6

– Did Paul get a privileged view of the gospel?• A bit of arrogance here?

– II Cor 11:22 ‘Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.’




– In God, there is no partiality – Eph 6:9– Does this principle apply today?

• Galatians 2:7 “But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as [the gospel] for the circumcised [was] to Peter”– Who are they?

• those who seemed to be something– More than James, Peter and John?

– when they saw• Gal 2:8 – next week.

– been committed or entrusted of believed by– Are their two different gospels?

• No, it’s simply the recipients.– Rom 11:13 ‘For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the

Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,’




– I Pet 1:1 ‘Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia’

» Believing Jews who were scattered after the stoning of Stephen» Acts 8:1 “Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great

persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.’

• However, we must not forget that Paul still had tremendous connection and influence on the Jewish church.

– As examples» Col 4:11 ‘and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow

workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.’

» II Peter 3:15 ‘and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation----as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,’

• This is not referring to the other gospel of Gal 1:6




• Seeing the importance of these ‘different gospels’, how do we discuss and portray the distinction between them to the three types of people who cross our paths:– False brethren?

– The legal believer?

– The unsaved world?

• And always recall:

Gal 2:21 ‘I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness [comes] through the law, then Christ died

in vain.’

the epistle to the galatians march 7, 2010 bob eckel 1 the jerusalem conference, part 2: galatians...

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