In the last few verses of
Galatians in our study, we have learned of Paul working with the
leadership within the church of Jerusalem. Paul has shared with them
his ministry to the Gentiles, and although these leaders are in
authority, he is not intimidated by them. Paul wrote to the Galatian
churches to refute false teaching, and he desired to show them how
the gospel of grace was committed to him by God as was the same to
Peter for the Jews. He continues his thoughts in this area in chapter
two and verse nine where we read:
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.
If there
was any ambiguity as to whom Paul was referring when he spoke of the
leadership in Jerusalem, he names them here: “And when James,
Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars...”. James who was
the foremost leader to the church in Jerusalem. Cephas or Peter
worked within Jerusalem but also reached out to the Cornelius who was
a Gentile in Acts chapter ten, and John who was son to Jesus' mother
and also a minister to the Jews. These leaders were the primarily
pillars or supporters of the church and were set to spread the gospel
among the Jewish people. The church members in Jerusalem recognized
them as such.
Paul
adds, “...perceived the grace that was given unto me,...” In
other words, after Paul shared with these men the way the Lord Jesus
had given him opportunity to share the gospel with the Gentiles,
these men understood that God desired for all men to know His gospel
through Jesus Christ. They saw the grace that was extended to Paul,
and they understood that God gave Paul this ministry among the
Gentiles.
The
results of these leaders perceiving the grace given to Paul is found
in the final parts of this verse: “they gave to me and Barnabas
the right hands of fellowship; that we [should go] unto the heathen,
and they unto the circumcision.” These leaders concluded that
Paul and Barnabas were given a different area of ministry than they
were. Paul and Barnabas should go to the “heathen” which
is the Greek word “ethnos” which means “a multitude
associated or living together; a company, troop or swarm; a tribe,
nation or family.” Paul uses this term to refer to the Gentile
nations, and as James, Peter and John saw the freedom of the gospel
being spread among these “heathen”, they gave to Barnabas
and Paul “the right hands of fellowship.” In other words,
they gave them acceptance and authority to share the gospel among
those people who were not Jews. Although Paul's ministry would be
different than theirs, these leaders recognized that God desired to
reach all men with His plan of Salvation.
The
interesting part of this exchange between these leaders and Paul is
that they recognized there are differences in ministry. God desires
to reach all men in a manner in which they can relate to Him. Some
people within the church have one sort of ministry, and others have a
different one. Each of them is important, and though there may be
differences in style and methods, as long as the gospel of Jesus
Christ stays true to its original format, there is not an inhibitor
to its being spread. Problems sometimes arrive when church members
try to elevate their style or ministry above or better than another
when God chooses to use many different styles and ways. When we see
people spreading the gospel in a different manner than we, the
question is will we extend to them the “right hands of
fellowship” as these leaders did to Barnabas and Paul? Perhaps
that question should be our meditation for the day.
Next
time will look at the agreement made in Jerusalem, so read ahead, and
let us join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to
Generation” in all major
bookstore
sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to
e-books, and find it
locally
at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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