GalatiansGalatians, #3, #3

Justification by faith in Christ rather than by

Works of the Law

Biographical Argument- Independent Revelation

Part 2, Gal.2:1-21

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Remember where we’ve been so far:

>Paul is seeking to combat the perversion of the gospel that Gentiles had to be circumcised (and keep the Law of Moses) in order to be justified before God.

>After announcing his fears relative to thisdistortion of truth, he is seeking to make his point first from his own experience- the Biographical Argument for his independent revelation.

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His main points from chapter 1 were:

>You have deserted Christ for a different gospel, vv.6-8

>My gospel is not according to man because:

-I said so, vv.11-12

-I was a persecutor, vv.13-14

-Jesus chose me to preach to the Gentiles, vv.15-16

-I did not confer with men, vv.17-24

Now, we’re ready for the completion of these points.

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Chapter 2: Completion of Biographical Argument for Independent Revelation.

v.1- “Then…” refers back to 1:16-18 where he:

>did not immediately confer with men, v.16

>nor did he go to Jerusalem to the other apostles, v.17

>then, 3 years later, he met Cephas and James, vv.18-19

>then went to Syria and Cilicia, v.21

His point is still the independence of his revelation.

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Chapter 2: Completion of Biographical Argument for Independent Revelation.

v.1- “Then, after fourteen years I went up again toJerusalem” with Barnabas & Titus.

v.2- he went because of revelation,

the H.S. had previously revealed to himand he had preached truth, Acts 13:1-2,

but, the question needed to be settled for the brethren in Jerusalem also, Acts 15:1-6.

v.3 Not even Titus was compelled to be circumcised, cf. Acts 16:3.

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Chapter 2: Completion of Biographical Argument for Independent Revelation.

v.4- “False brethren” insisted upon circumcision.

v.5- But the “truth of the gospel” was maintained.

v.6- Even those of “high reputation… contributed nothing to me”- they did not add to therevelation I had received from Jesus!

vv.7-10- Instead of denying Paul’s revelation, theyaccepted and rejoiced in it.

Despite all of this, there would continue to be great problems plaguing the church regarding it.

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Chapter 2: Completion of Biographical Argument for Independent Revelation.

The Hypocrisy of it all, vv.11-17.

vv.11-12- Peter’s hypocrisy

v.13- The detrimental effects of hypocrisy evenaffected Barnabas, cf. Acts 4:36-37; 9:26-

27; 11:22,30.

vv.14-17- Paul’s argument against the hypocrisy:

>race relations, v.14

>Jews were not saved either by race or the Law,but by Christ- so why make the GentilesJews? vv.15-17

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Chapter 2: Completion of Biographical Argument for Independent Revelation.

Paul’s personal experience, vv.18-21

v.18 Why would he seek now to rebuild(separation between Jew & Gentile) whenhe had previously worked to destroy it?He too would be an hypocrite!

v.19 He died to the Law to live to God!

>by being crucified with Christ, v.20, cf.6:14

>but such does not nullify grace, it enables it! cf. 5:4

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Conclusions:

1. Paul’s gospel past and present was not perverted- theirs was!

2. His came by independent revelation:

-independent from other men,

-independent from other Apostles.

3. His independence is further underscored byrelating the detrimental effects of Peter’s (andthe Jews) hypocrisy toward the Gentiles.

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Take Home Points:

1. We had better be sure of the source of our revelation, cf. 1John 4:1.

2. Hypocrisy still has very detrimental effects on people outside and inside the church!

3. If we would live in the grace of God through Jesus Christ,

we must crucify our old man of sin, 2:20 > 6:14!