The events get really dramatic in Gal 2:2-10
Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.
There are so many things which we can learn from Paul’s interaction with his leaders. This was no ordinary trip. “And I went up by revelation,” he asserts (v. 2a). The word is apokalupsis. The word is used to describe the communication of the knowledge of God to a soul (Eph. 1:17). God had directed him.
What was at stake? The situation was escalating rapidly. If left unaddressed, two distinct churches would emerge, a Jewish church and a Gentile church, a concept alien to the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:11–16). His purpose was clear: to confront the issue head-on and advocate for Gentile independence from Judaism and the Mosaic Law.
Let’s unpack the lessons learnt from this.
1- Paul Stood Up against Legalists
He brought Titus along, and you can bet the time they spent in Jerusalem was super interesting for the young Greek. He got to see all the important spots from the Lord’s passion firsthand. Gethsemane, Gabbatha, Golgotha, and the gravesite must’ve been just as fascinating for him as they are for any modern Christian traveler—maybe even more since there were no shrines built over the places yet, making them feel real and not just something to speculate about like we do today. Plus, he got to meet Peter, John, and James, who happens to be the Lord’s brother. However, if they had sent Titus away, what would it do to the young Gentile? What would it do to the believers back home?
I totally get this. A friend of mine became a Christian, and she was a Hindu. So, one day she tells me she wants to get baptized, and I brought her to my Pastor. Like I’ve mentioned in my blogs before, the Indian Charismatic churches down south have these strict rules—no jewelry, wear white, etc. When I talked to the Pastor, he was like, she HAS TO take off her jewelry to get baptized. I was so mad! Here’s someone who’s made a choice to follow the Lord, fully aware of the risks, and they’re telling her she has to ditch her “jewelry”, which is not even Biblical. I’d always told her that it’s what’s in the Word that counts, not these religious rules. Now she’s seeing the ugly side, and ending up making a tough choice. I spoke out against that, and stood my ground, so I understand where Paul was coming from. Titus was like his spiritual kid, and he just wanted to show him the real deal in action.
2- Paul thought strategically
There is a misconception among Charismatics that whatever is spontaneous is of God, and whatever is of God is not planned. That is not true. The Bible itself says in 1 Cor that God is a God of order. I have heard Pastors waiting till the night before the Sunday service or that morning to hustle and start preparing for the sermon. They feel it is ungodly to prepare a week or two week in advance. Why? The same God who provides on a Sunday morning won’t provide the Word on a week earlier?
You see that Paul had a strategy too. His goal was the independence of the gentiles. He wanted to force the issue. The Judaizers were against him, and were creating problems wherever he went. A lot of people were just not ready to listen but rather follow their favourite leader. Hey! After all, Paul was a nobody and the apostles in Jerusalem, Peter, James and John were celebrities. Why would one listen to him? So to change the minds of the people, Paul sought out the responsible brethren. The word for “reputation” is dokeō, people well thought of, people who were held in consideration. His goal was not their good-will.
Lest not in vain
What does Paul mean, then, by the added statement, “lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain”? Paul was afraid that the Judaizers, who dogged his steps and subverted his converts, would render his labors null and void. The Jerusalem elders would either have to endorse him or them on the question of Gentiles and the Mosaic Law. Paul had not the slightest shadow of doubt that he was right and that the Judaizers, who emanated from Jerusalem, were preaching a lie. Paul did not need the endorsement of the Jerusalem elders to validate his gospel. But he certainly needed for them to do something about their homegrown Judaizers who were trailing after him, rendering his ministry and his efforts vain by subverting his converts to Judaism.
For the Jerusalem leaders to be able to act intelligently and spiritually in this critical situation, they would need to know, understand, and appreciate not only what he preached but also its divine source and authority. Unless the Jerusalem leaders repudiated the false teachers, it was evident that there would soon be such a breach between Jerusalem and the Gentile churches as would be irreconcilable, and that would be disastrous. It would deny the great truth of the oneness of the body of Christ and would lead to denominationalism of the very worst kind.
3-Paul was confident in the Word
Paul was confident in the gospel he had received. People might have thought of it as arrogance. The purpose of the meeting was to make quite clear to these men exactly what it was that he preached. He had not come to learn the gospel from them. He already knew what the gospel was, and had received it directly from the Lord.
But, because of the brewing storm, the center of which was the Jerusalem church itself, it was essential that these responsible brethren should hear from Paul himself just exactly what it was that he preached. He did not need their endorsement to preach it. Nor would he have stopped preaching it even if they had disagreed with it or even commanded him to stop preaching it. They had no authority or jurisdiction over him. Paul had absolutely no doubt that what he preached was the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. He did not need for them to tell him so. But it would be to everyone’s advantage if they could be brought to see that this was so.
4-Paul was not awed by the celebrity culture
Ive said this in my earlier blogs too, but sometimes we can get overawed by certain Pastors, that if anyone else would preach the Word, one wouldn’t listen. I’ve shockingly seen many well-intentioned people when they have a question about the Word, they don’t check the Word, but rather they want to ask their Pastor. If by any chance, they checked the Bible first, they quickly change their view to match the Pastor. After all, he is the man of God! You don’t see Paul doing that. You can respect the leaders, knowing that what they have is what you have, and you can love them. But to consider them as superior in spiritual status, is against the Word of God.
Always make it a point to check the Word, no matter who is preaching. Note that he says the people who were of reputation. The word for “reputation” is dokeō, people well thought of, people who were held in consideration. His goal was not people-pleasing. Then he says “But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. “. This is not pride, but this is assurance of a believer about who he is. Oh, I absolute detest the celebrity culture that is prevalent in many churches. How many times do we click photos with celebrity pastors hoping that your reputation will increase along with his? What about your local Pastor. Celebrity culture stunts growth. Be like a Berean.
So what happened?
All went well. Stand up for the Word, and let the Lord do the rest. Believer, be like Paul today!
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