EIGHT STEPS IN UNITING THE EARLY
CHURCH IN GOD’S MISSION
TO THE NATIONS (Part 3)
KEY VERSE – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Gal. 5:1) SECONDARY THEME VERSES: “A man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Gal. 2:16); “If righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing” (Gal. 2:21).
THEME: Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone releases us from the yoke of the law, freeing us to live a life of love through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Legal (Imputed) Righteousness: We are justified by faith in Christ (Gal. 2:16). Imparted Righteousness: Immediate Moral Change at conversion (Gal. 6:15); Gradual Moral Change through the fruit-growing work of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) which requires our cooperation (Gal 5:16-17, 25, 6:8). We cooperate by using CCRC (Concentration, Choice, Reflection, Confession/Thanksgiving. Foundational verse, “By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Heb. 10:14)
Good Teachers: (1) Constantly re-evaluate what they are doing; (2) Set large goals; (3) Ask – Does everything I do contribute to learning?; (4) Prepare well; (5) Check for understanding; (6) Like teaching; (7) Get results from their teaching; (8) Have perseverance. Don’t give up.
TEACHING GOAL: How to maintain unity in the church while focusing on God’s worldwide ministry of the Gospel.
REVIEW
The problem Paul is facing is “How can I prove to the Galatians the essentially supernatural source of the gospel I preach?”
Paul’s thesis: My Gospel was received by divine revelation. (Galatians 1:11-12)
From 1:13-4:31 Paul defends his position as an apostle and the divine authenticity of the Gospel he preaches. Paul shows his independence from: (1) Human Teaching (1:13-17); (2) Judean churches (1:18-24); (3) Jerusalem “pillars” (2:1-10); (4) Apostle Peter (2:11-21).
TEXT FOR THE DAY:
1Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. 3Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.
6As for those who seemed to be important—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance—those men added nothing to my message. 7On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. 8For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. 10All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
STEPS IN UNITING THE CHURCH
IN GOD’S MISSION TO ALL NATIONS
1. Paul Attended the Conference with a Team
2. Paul Went to the Conference in Response to a Revelation
3. Paul Went to the Conference to Have His Gospel Evaluated
4. Paul Resisted Those Who Challenged the Essentials of the Gospel
5. Paul Built the Unity of the Church on God’s Impartiality
6. Paul & the Pillars Agreed on Different Spheres of Responsibility
7. Paul & the Pillars Agreed on the Need of Practical Service – in This Case, Care for the Poor
8. Paul & the Pillars Kept Their Focus on What God was Doing
9. Paul & the Pillars Viewed All Ministry Under God’s Authority
SO WHAT??? (From Previous Two Lessons):
1. We hear so much about Paul but forget how much a church is blessed when they have members like Barnabas.
2. We must be willing to let our guidance (and message) be evaluated by others who are spiritual men and women. If our ministry and message is of God there will be confirmation from the body.
3. Even though flexibility and generosity are Christian character qualities we need to embrace, we must not give ground when seeking to defend the basic content of the Gospel message.
4. As the Orthodox Jewish believers in the NT had difficulty shedding centuries of Jewish religious culture, we also have difficulty shedding cultural matters related to worship, e.g. the kind of music we like.
5. The unity of the church is based on grace, not race or place.
6. God uses miracles to verify the status and words of an apostle.
VII. PAUL & THE PILLARS AGREED ON THE NEED OF PRACTICAL SERVICE, IN THIS CASE CARE FOR THE POOR.
All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. (2:10)
WHY SO MANY POOR JEWISH CHRISTIANS
QUESTION: Why were there “poor” Christians in Jerusalem? Why should this be a major concern to Peter, Paul?
The poor in Galatians 2:10 are specifically poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.
Names for Christians outside of Palestine were ‘brothers’, ‘saints’, ‘disciples’, ‘Christians.’ Names within Palestine were ‘Galileans’, ‘Nazarenes’. One of the earliest names as ‘the poor.’ (Gal. 2:10, Rom. 15:25)
Compared to Gentile churches, the Jewish church in Palestine was poor. The initial converts were from the poor, down-trodden masses. That was certainly true in Palestine and Paul wrote that it was also true among the Gentiles and the Corinthians: God chose the lowly, weak, foolish, despised. They also were persecuted and that causes economic disruption. Palestine was over-populated and over-tilled.
In the book, “Year One” that is about life in Palestine at the beginning of the first millennium the author explains that Herod Antipas and the large landowners in Israel had bought out all of the small farmers of Galilee and turned all of northern Israel into a large plantation. Herod did this by overtaxing the farmers until they were forced to sell their farms and work as tenants. He claims that only 3% of the land was not owned by large plantations.
Verses in Acts that refer to the economic situation of the Palestinian Jewish church:
READ: Have different class members read:
Acts 2:44 – And all the believers were together and had everything in common.
Acts 4:36-37 – Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 5:2 – With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 6:1 – In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
Acts 11:27-30 – During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
OUR LORD’S ATTITUDE TO THE POOR
One way people would know that the Messiah had come is that the poor would hear the Gospel: The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. (Luke 4:16)
“The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news in preached to the poor.” (Mt. 11:5)
“The poor you will always have with you . . . .” (Mark 14:7)
OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE POOR
Pastor Philip Ryken of Philadelphia’s “Tenth Presbyterian” writes, “Next to the proclamation of the Gospel it si the task of the pastor to be mindful of the poor.” (Ryken, 48)
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (I John 3:17)
ILLUSTRATION: I remember John Stott saying so plainly at the Lausanne Congress in 1974 that we Christians focus on the Great Commission and tend to neglect the Great Commandment. We must focus on both and keep them in balance.
We have two great verses in Galatians on caring for the poor:
All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. (Gal. 2:10)
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal. 6:10)
PAUL RAISED MONEY FOR “THE POOR” IN PALESTINE
QUESTION: What might have been Paul’s specific motivation for raising money for the poor in Jerusalem?
We know from the letters to the Corinthians and the Romans that Paul shared with these Gentile churches their obligation to help the poor Christians of Palestine.
In fact Paul wanted to collect money from the Galatians Christians for the poor Christians of Palestine:
Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. (I Cor. 16:1-2)
Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. (Romans 15:25-27)
After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. (Acts 24:17)
Seeking to raise money for the poor in Jerusalem was: “Paul’s deliberate effort to heal the widening breach between the church in Jerusalem and those churches that looked to Paul as founder.” (As quoted in Fong, pg. 103)
VIII. PAUL AND THE PILLARS KEPT THEIR FOCUS ON WHAT GOD WAS DOING
THE JERUSALEM PILLARS
“Pillars” was a Jewish term used to refer to great teachers. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were often referred to in Jewish literature and the three pi8llars of Israel. So here you have “three pillars” of the early church: Peter, James and John.
Why was James, the Lord’s brother, accepted in a leadership position? It appears that not only the original 12 apostles were held in high esteem by the early church but also the Lord’s brothers. It is probably also true that James, the Lord’s brother, was older than all of the apostles.
Apologists emphasize that the fact that James is in leadership with the early church is proof of the resurrection. Why would his brother, who was not one of the apostles, become a leader in the early church, if he did not see the risen Savior?
It is also interesting to note that in this meeting you have Peter, James, John and Paul. If you consider Luke being in Paul’s team you have the authors of 24 of the NT letters, Gospel. Only Jude, Matthew and maybe Hebrews were written by others not in this meeting.
PAUL’S ATTITUDE TO THE PILLARS
QUESTION: What should be our example to leadership based on Paul’s example here?
Paul seems to denigrate the original apostles: “. . . to those who seemed to be leaders [the somebodies] . . . those who seemed to be important [seemed to have an official position] – whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appears . . . James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars . . .” (Galatians 2:2,6,9)
Paul holds the position that all apostles, even though they knew the historical Jesus, are subordinate to the Gospel. Do they hold to the authentic Gospel of Grace? That is the question.
Human nature tends to exalt leaders over against truth. Hagiography is a certain type of literature … biographies that idealize and idolize the saints, worshipful and idealizing biography. I remember reading the biography of Constantine the Great written by the ancient church historian “Eusibius.” He did not point out one of Constantine’s faults although we know he participated in the murder of some of the members of his court. Such a biography would be classed as a hagiography. Today writers are more careful. I recently read a biography of Francis Asbury, the first Methodist bishop in the USA who came to this country from England around 1771. The biographer is very careful about this man’s fault although he was a great Christian leader. When he came to the USA there were 300 Methodists here. When he died around 1815 or so there were 180,000.
Why did Paul put the Jerusalem Pillars in the spotlight? He wanted to show that they came to the same conclusion about the core message of grace in the Gospel.
He has shown how he received his revelation. He showed that he did not receive his Gospel from the Judean churches. Now he shows that the “Jerusalem Pillars” totally supported the core content of the Gospel he preached.
FOCUSING ON THE BIG PICURE UNITES THE CHURCH
In spite of the obvious intrigue and tension in this meeting in Jerusalem, the leadership was able to focus on the big picture – what God was doing. How often in our church and mission meetings personal agendas crowd out and blur the big picture. Someone wins and what God is seeking to do gets set aside until another group is raised up to tackle the problem.
It is important to note that during the first century the Jews and specifically the Pharisees were very universalistic. There probably never was a century before or since when the Jewish people had such a desire to see the nations come to know God.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. (Matthew 23:15)
Our Lord emphasized the imperative of the Gospel to the Gentiles: And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Mt. 24:14)
Peter and the Jerusalem apostles were aware that God was calling the Gentiles. They kept their eye on that great fact.
Paul knew that a rift with the Jerusalem church and a lack of backing from the Pillars would also impede his ministry to the Gentiles.
We can avoid confusion and conflict when we keep our eye on a common goal!
IX. PAUL AND THE PILLARS VIEWED ALL MINISTRY UNDER GOD’S AUTHORITY
DO YOU SEE THE WORK GOD CALLED YOU TO AS A GIFT OF GRACE?
“ . . . the grace given to me.” (Gal. 2:9)
Do we see the work God has called us to as a gift of grace? Whatever Paul received from God, he referred to as grace.
Grace in Galatians 2:9 means a gift, special favor … in this case that mission and ministry that God entrusted to him.
Paul speaks in Ephesians 3:8, “This grace was given me, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.”
ARE YOU CLEAR ABOUT THE PARAMETERS OF YOUR CALL?
Paul knew he was called to the Gentiles:
“. . . I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles.” (Gal. 2:7)
“. . . God set me apart from birth . . . that I might preach him among the Gentiles.” (Gal. 1:7, 15-16)
“. . . this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles.” (Acts 9:15)
“Go, I will send you far away to the Gentiles.” (Acts 22:21)
“. . . I will rescue you from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light . . . “ (Acts 26:17-18)
“. . . I was appointed a herald and an apostle . . and a teacher of the faith to the Gentiles.” (I Tim. 2:7)
“I am an apostle to the Gentiles.” (Romans 11:13)
“The grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles.” (Rom. 15:15-16)
“. . . this grace was given me: To preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” (Eph. 3:8)
Paul knew what God had called him to do and he stayed on mission. At the end of his life he could honestly write: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race (literally, the course marked out for me). (II Tim. 4:7)
The darkness of tattered gifts, rust-locked, half-spent or ill-spent,
A life that once was used of God now set aside.
Grief for glories gone or fretting for a task God never gave.
Mourning in the hollow chambers of memory,
Gazing on the faded banners of victories long gone.
Cannot I run well unto the end?
Lord, let me get home before dark.
(Home Before Dark, Robertson McQuilken)
IS GOD AT WORK IN YOUR MINISTRY?
“. . . God was also at work in my ministry . . . “ (Gal. 2:8)
We have no right to exalt one type of ministry above another. What is important is to know what ministry God has given us and then to see God work in that ministry.
Paul and Barnabas were uniquely equipped for this ministry and they saw God’s intervention: (1) Paul’s unique conversion; (2) Barnabas’s generous spirit; (3) Miracles; (4) People converted; (5) Perseverance.
ILLUSTRATION: I have a missionary friend in Indonesia who is really laid back and very, very slow in getting things done. Yet he has been in Indonesia now probably over 30 years. He is not a dynamo and not an entrepreneur. When I was leading the WEC field many years ago this fellow used to frustrate me. But one day a friend said, “He is a two cylinder missionary and our job is to make sure his two cylinders are functioning so that he can be an efficient two cylinder machine.”
What gifts, abilities have you received from God for ministry? Do you see these as gifts for ministry? Do you see God working through the ministry gifts and equipping He has given you?
“To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy which so powerfully works in me.” (Col. 1:29)
God is not asking you to be an 8 cylinder Christian worker. If you are a four cylinder worker that is fine. But are you functioning on all four cylinders, or are you having spark plug problems, mis-firing problems etc?
CONCLUSION:
Although Paul received the Gospel by revelation he also got the support of the Jerusalem Pillars.
The “right hand of fellowship” was more than a Western handshake. It had more the weight of an ordination. They verbally, theologically and now publicly agreed with Paul’s message. (McKnight, 86)
(1) They added nothing to his message; (2) They recognized Paul’s special calling; (3) They asked Paul to remember the poor. Another way to look at it … negatively – they added nothing; positively – they gave the right hand of fellowship. Paul’s Gospel, though independent as to its source was fully endorsed by the Jerusalem leadership.
SO WHAT?
1. We must make sure that while obeying the Great Commission we do not neglect the Great Commandment.
2. In all of our praying, planning, working together always keep our eyes on the big picture, what God is wanting to do.
3. Keep the Gospel as the arbitrator in all theological disputes. Make sure it is the plumb line!
4. Remember the ministry God gives you is a gift of “grace.” Work the ministry and trust God to work in and through you. Don’t get sidetracked from what He has called you to do.