Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• How did the church respond when the letter was read to them?
• Paul is defending the Gospel
• It is a body of truth
• Not a series of easy steps
• There is a simplicity to it, but it is also vast
• Paul was concerned that the church was losing the simplicity of the gospel
• That there were "add-ons" - examples
• It is certainly not to do with circumcision
• Paul tells of how he rejected circumcision and how he received the right hand of fellowship from Peter, James and John
• There is one gospel
• Gal 1:4
• To deliver us from the present evil age
• To be forgiven of sin
• To be brought into the Kingdom of the Son of His love
• Paul was concerned that people were turning away from the Gospel
• Gal 1:6
• Happening today:
• 'Extra teachings'
• Christ-plus
• The gospel is Jesus only
• 2:11-16
• A public consultation vs a private consultation (v11-16)
• There was a time when he had to enter into public confrontation with the chief leader of the church
• Why a public showdown?
• Why did it have to be public?
• What was it all about?

The Failure of the Judeisers

• They failed to understand that Jesus had perfectly fulfilled the ceremonial law - Example and Explanation
• They were still want to retain parts of it - e.g. food laws and circumcision
• They had not fully understood the ceremonial law was only temporary and to point towards the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
• They had done away with priests but had they realised that Jesus was the high priest
• They were confused
• They had failed to understand that Christ had fulfilled all when He died on the cross
• They had failed to understand that circumcision was of the heart
• New birth - to be born again
• The law was a tutor to lead people to Christ

The Failure of Peter

• Peter
• Had the vision (Acts 10)
• He understood that the ceremonial law was over and that the Gentiles were not unclean
• He was clear that the gospel was about Christ alone
• Peter wanted peace within the church and between the Jew and Gentile
• He was afraid of the hardline Judeisers
• He took a practical approach
• He thinks he is keeping the peace
• He is actually causing division
• Paul recognises he is actually causing barriers
• Peter is causing hurt in the heart of the Gentiles
• Peter is a hypocrite
• Some are feeling compelled to follow the old ways
• Paul withstands him to his face
• Peter does not deny the gospel
• The Judeisers deny the gospel
• If people speak about contributors to Jesus Christ - they deny the gospel
• We must not add any further requirement beyond Jesus Christ
• Acts 11 - purification by faith
• Do we set any additional criteria for fellowship?
• If we do, we are in the position of Peter
• We must not deny fellowship over secondary issues

The Remedy

• Head on conflict
• Matt 18 - Go to your brother privately
• 2:11,14 - Public confrontation with Paul
• Peter's sin is public, therefore his rebuke must be public
• 1 Tim 5:20
• All are servants of Christ
• Speaking with a heart of love but very strong
• How would we respond to something like this today?
• Are we more concerned with reputation or backlash?
• Are we more concerned with truth?
• Paul is clear on the truth
• Gal 2:16
• He is very emphatic
• Have we understood there is nothing we can do to get right with God?
• For Paul - the gospel was a stake
• How can a Holy God acquit guilty sinners?
• The Gospel - God found a way
• Explanation

Closing Remarks