(Galatians 1:15 KJV) "But when it pleased God, who separated (aphorizo, Aorist Active Participle, to set apart for service) me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,"

Oswald Chambers wrote in his book, Workmen of God:

"I want to deal with this holy dread and holy discipleship. "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." It is necessary for those of us who are workers for God to allow the Spirit of God to lift the veil sometimes and strike terror through us. We take our salvation and our sanctification too cheaply, without realizing that Jesus Christ went through the deep waters of uttermost damnation that we might have it. " (Page 110)

Modern day believers have, in large part, lost the sense of wonder and yes, even fear, of that which God hath wrought in us. Many believers take their Christ earned state of salvation entirely too much for granted. Perhaps this is a byproduct of the modern preaching methods, methods that emphasize the life enhancing aspects of the Cross over the true and valid reason for salvation: the salvation that Christ bought for us provides the believer escape from eternal and unimaginable damnation in the next life. Perhaps if the latter truth of the Gospel was emphasized over the former, we would see less lackadaisical Christians and more warriors dedicated to God. We need more warriors, Beloved, we need more warriors.

What does God our Father think of our salvation? What is His purpose in us who have believed on Jesus Christ for salvation? Each believer in the Church Age has a God assigned purpose and a God assigned Gift in the Plan of God. The God assigned purpose/ gift is unique for every believer. This is revealed in 1 Corinthians 12:

(1 Corinthians 12:7-12 KJV) "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. {8} For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; {9} To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; {10} To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: {11} But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. {12} For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ."

It was God's Plan to use Saul of Tarsus as an Apostle. In Galatians 1:15 Paul makes it plain that this was not some happenstance, not some last minute plan of God - no, God planned to use Paul as an Apostle and planned to grant Paul his Apostolic Gift from the moment of his birth. Paul was aphorizo, separated, set apart for service while he was yet in his mother's womb! Consider that: Paul was chosen to be an Apostle from his mother's womb. This was long before Paul was saved; long before Paul studied Law under Gamaliel, long before Paul joined the Sanhedrin, long before Paul persecuted the Church under the direction of the elders of Israel. Our God is so awesome that He chose Paul to be set apart as an Apostle long before Paul was offered salvation in Christ on the Damascus Road.

When you understand the full import of this verse, you will understand how carefully God's Plan has been built. You will also understand this: there is absolutely no self-merit in our salvation. We cannot clap ourselves on the back, congratulating one another that we were smart enough or savvy enough to be saved. We may have accepted the call to salvation - praise Jesus for it - but all of creation functions within the Greater Plan of an awesome Creator who sees all and controls all for His ultimate glory. We may not understand it, but God is in control and has never relinquished that control from the dawn of man and till eternity begins.

(Galatians 1:16 KJV) "To reveal (apokalupto, Aorist Active Infinitive, reveal in time, lay open that which has been covered up) his Son in me,

God has a distinct purpose for every believer in Christ Jesus, and that distinct purpose is woven into the fabric of His Plan. But God also has a general purpose for all believers. Paul's specific purpose in God's Plan is revealed in verse 15, but God's purpose for every believer is revealed in verse 16. Let me say that a different way: It is God's purpose for EVERY BELIEVER to reveal God's Son in us, to reveal Christ in EVERY CHRISTIAN. God is as dedicated to this purpose as He is to any provision in His eternal Plan. God does not want to reveal Paul in us. God does not want to reveal any created famous person in us. God does not want to reveal Jabez in us. God does not want to reveal our pastor in us. God does not want to reveal the world in us. God does not want to reveal us in us. God wants to reveal CHRIST in us. Why is this? It is the express purpose of the Godhead that God the Son, the revealed member of the Godhead, be glorified. Anything or anyone else is not empowered to be glorified. It pleases the Godhead that Christ be glorified, and it pleases the Godhead to reveal Christ to the world through we who are believers.

(Matthew 24:30 KJV) "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

(Mark 8:38 KJV) "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

(John 1:14 KJV) "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

(Romans 8:18 KJV) "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

This is a major facet of the Plan of God, that Christ be glorified, and that Christ be revealed in His believer's lives. When we begin to understand this we will cease to chase after every fad and fashion that foolish men have promoted in the Body of Christ. We will also begin to understand the greater working of the Church in this present age. If it is central to the Plan of God that Christ be manifested in us, then the believer will want to imitate Christ in all that he does. Further, if a person professes to believe in Christ yet has not the slightest interest in imitating Christ in his life, those who are in his periphery have to ask the question "Are you really saved?". Saved people may sin. Saved people may fall short in many ways. But saved people, with one accord, all love Jesus, and want to imitate Jesus. Lost people have no concern whatsoever for Jesus. They do not care if Jesus is imitated in their lives. To them Jesus is no more than a talisman, something you invoke when trials come to make things all better. Christians are "little Christs", seeking to imitate Jesus in all that they say and do.

Over the past 50 years or so some ministers have preached a prosperity gospel, whereas others have preached a "come to Jesus and He will make it all better" gospel. The fruit of this preaching has packed our assemblies with people who may not be saved. If it is God's expressed purpose for all believers that Christ be formed in us, that we imitate Christ, that we reflect His glory to a lost and dying world, then why do Pastors have to battle with the sheep to do even the smallest of things? Pastors all across our country find themselves playing games with the sheep: cajoling and buttering people up in order to get enough teachers for Sunday School, for Choir, or for the normal administration of the Body of Christ. Around 20% of the population of the local Church does the work of the Church, while 80% do absolutely nothing. Beloved, these things must not be! When the average professing Christian refuses to imitate Christ in his everyday life, one must wonder whether that person is truly saved or not.

(Galatians 4:19-20 KJV) "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, {20} I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you."

Paul struggled with the Galatians just as a mother in labor would struggle in delivery. He had preached Christ to these people. These people heard the Gospel message, repented, and outwardly accepted Christ as Savior. Yet now they have rejected that which Christ so torturously provided at the Cross and have allowed the Judaizers to convince them that they need to add their own works to salvation to make it complete. How can I, or you, or any of us add one thing to our salvation? Has not Jesus fully paid the price? Now that we are bought with that terrible price, with the Blood of Christ, shouldn't we now imitate Jesus in all that we say and do? Yes we should, for this is God's Plan for all who believe.

(Ephesians 3:16-17 KJV) "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; {17} That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,"

Salvation opens the door to God in our lives, but we who believe in Jesus do not accept Christ as Savior then say, "Well, I'm done!" God's work is not complete in us until Christ shines from us. We were not saved to sit on the sidelines of the game while the pastor and ministers and deacons do the work of God. No, precious ones, we are saved so that we can grow closer and closer to God. We are saved so that Christ living in us can be revealed to the world around us. We are saved so that Christ can be glorified.

(Philippians 1:20-21 KJV) "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. {21} For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

God does not want just the Apostle Paul to say, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain". This is a state that we all are to be surrendered to, a state of magnifying Christ in our bodies. We can only reach this state when we are, first of all, saved by faith in Christ Jesus. Jesus alone saved me, saved us all from our sins. But next we surrender ourselves to God. We surrender our time to prayer that we might be more like Jesus. We surrender our television and our entertainment to Bible study, seeking God's face, seeking to be more like Jesus. The surrendered life is a life that the Plan of God can be fully manifested in.

(Galatians 1:16 KJV) "To reveal (apokalupto, Aorist Active Infinitive, reveal in time, lay open that which has been covered up) his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:"

(Galatians 1:17 KJV) "Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus."

(Galatians 1:18 KJV) "Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days."

(Galatians 1:19 KJV) "But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother."

(Galatians 1:20 KJV) "Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not."

(Galatians 1:21 KJV) "Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;"

(Galatians 1:22 KJV) "And was unknown (Imperfect Linear Aktionsart eimi, constantly [unknown] + agnoeo, Present Passive Participle = he was and continued to be unknown) by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ:"

(Galatians 1:23 KJV) "But they had heard only, That he which persecuted (Present Active Participle, dioko, kept on persecuting) us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed."

(Galatians 1:24 KJV) "And they glorified (doxazo, Imperfect Active Indicative, they kept on glorifying God and only God) God in me."

God can use a life surrendered to Him; the Apostle Paul is proof positive of this statement. When Paul accepted Christ as Savior on Damascus Road Jesus revealed to him that his gift in the Body of Christ would be that of the Apostle. Contrary to the "normal" way we do things, Paul did not run to Jerusalem, the center and capital city of the newly formed Church, and seek approval from Peter and the other Apostles. Most people would have done this, and this might not be inappropriate behavior depending on what God revealed to the convert. God did not lead Paul to Jerusalem, and Paul was surrendered to Christ. So he went to Arabia for about three years (this is a period of time that occurred between Acts 9:22 and Acts 9:23). Once more, this is contrary to what people would normally think would be proper behavior for an Apostle. Most people would have coached Paul and told him to first go to Jerusalem and get the approval of the other Apostles. Then once he got this approval, Paul should surrender himself to Peter to be "mentored" in his new office. God had other plans for Paul. Paul went out into Arabia just as Moses did, and spent around 3 years as a relative unknown in the Body of Christ. It wasn't until after these three years in Arabia and Damascus that Paul went to Jerusalem to see Peter (Galatians 1:18). Paul followed the way of our forefathers in the faith. King David was an unknown shepherd in a unimportant job until God called him forth for service. Moses was in the wilderness hidden from all the riches of Egypt when God called him to lead Israel out of bondage. Joseph was an unknown prisoner, unjustly in bondage, until God lifted him up to service. Even Jesus Christ our Lord was relatively unknown in human history, His childhood largely a mystery, until He came forth at the time appointed of the Father. God uses the surrendered servant, and does not use the alleged "normal" means of promotion that the worldlings follow. God desires of your life that you surrender all to Him. You surrendered everything to Jesus when you accepted Christ as Savior, now surrender all that follows your conversion.

We feel that we cannot surrender. Human pride often motivates us to seek some artificial means to promote self. Consider, though, the Apostle Paul. He started out his Christian walk with every disadvantage. Called into the ministry by Jesus Christ on Damascus, he was sent to Arabia to grow. For thirteen years he grew in Christ, without fame or fortune. This once brightest and best student of the famed teacher Gamaliel, slated to one day perhaps be head of the Sanhedrin, trained in a desert among the heathen. Paul had no great job. He was not the CEO of a corporation. He was not a millionaire. He was not the president of some ruling body. No, Paul turned to tentmaking, a miserable profession, in order to keep food on the table. As he grew this surrendered life, a life willing to have Christ formed in it, began to do the work of God among the heathen. Those in Jerusalem heard rumors of this Saul of Tarsus. They heard that this man, once a persecutor of the Church, now worked to bring Gentiles into the Church. Knowing people and how they are, I suspect that many maligned him for offering salvation to these non-Jews, and many suspected his work was that of the devil. Yet he continued on, trusting the Will of God, surrendering himself to Jesus - and was vindicated in the end.

Believer know this: The Will of God will triumph in the end. If you have surrendered yourself to your Creator, if you are willing to have Christ formed in you, then the sum of your life will be successful for God. God our Father listens to the prayers of those who are willing to do His Will:

(John 9:31 KJV) "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth."

Paul was willing to do the Will of God. For thirteen long years he learned how to surrender himself, how to give up his will to God. Is it that hard? Is it a hard thing to surrender to the Will of God? Perhaps, but we need to understand that God's Will will triumph, whether we get in step with that Will or not. How can we, His lowly creation, circumvent the Will of God? Shall we like Pharaoh reject His Will, believing that the created can overcome the Creator? How foolish Pharaoh was, and how much torture he brought on his own nation Egypt! God is God, and Him alone we MUST serve. We must surrender to His Will and do as He asks, or be forced to surrender to His Will as tons of water in the Red Sea crush in on our being. As the Scripture says:

(Romans 9:19-21 KJV) "Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? {20} Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? {21} Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?"

God's Will is fixed. We can wander away from the Will of God, just as Israel wandered away from the Promised Land, but our wandering does not void the Will of God. Apart from the Will of God our every action is unfruitful. Within the Will of God, our every action is blessed.

(Colossians 1:9-13 KJV) "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; {10} That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; {11} Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness; {12} Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: {13} Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:"

Paul learned how to surrender himself to the Will of God, learned how to allow Christ to form in his life. God grant us the resolve to follow in Paul's footsteps.

• God has both a unique and a general purpose for every believer in this Church Age.
  • What is His unique purpose for me?
  • What is God's general purpose for me?
• What does it mean, to have "Christ manifested in my life"?
• If a person professes salvation in Christ but is not interested in imitating Christ, what does this say of his or her life?
• What are the inherent dangers of preaching a prosperity or a life enhancing Gospel rather than a salvation Gospel?
• How was Christ formed in the life of Saul of Tarsus? Should we follow the Apostle's example? Why or why not?

(Galatians 2:1 KJV) "Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus (a young Gentile, converted to Christ under Paul. He would be Paul's troubleshooter, taking letters to Corinth, preaching and correcting in the Isle of Crete, and work in Dalmatia. Some theologians believe Titus was Luke's younger brother) with me also."

Paul now continues his narrative, a sort of "personal testimony" of his calling and entrance into the ministry of Christ. As we studied in the last section, Paul, following his conversion on Damascus Road, went to Arabia around three years (Galatians 1:17 ff.). After these initial three years in the wilderness Paul was led to go to Jerusalem and see Peter, whom he stayed with around 15 days, and James the half-brother of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:18-19). At no time did Paul seek approval or certification from man. He was appointed to his office by the Lord Jesus Christ, and stood firm in his appointment.

I was discussing Paul's calling into the ministry with a good Christian brother and a fellow minister (who is, coincidentally, also named Paul) the other day and remarked on the precision of God's placement of Paul in the ministry. Paul was separated or set aside by God for his Apostolic office from his mother's womb. His calling was not happenstance, but certain and sure by the same Creator who made all that we see around us. Elder Paul Briggs told me: (and I paraphrase, for as I age my memory is not as sharp as it used to be) "Our place in God's Plan is encoded in us, locked in our DNA from our very conception. It was not by chance, but by certain choosing that we exist in His Plan". This is absolutely true! When we as believers realize that we are called to salvation by God our Father, and are appointed a place in the Greater Plan of God from the beginning, then we will cease to take for granted the salvation that we both live and breath in. We are not saved to just bide our time to the end; we are saved to be "lights upon a hill", as our Lord Jesus said:

(Matthew 5:14 KJV) "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."

We cannot be hid because our God has given each of us a distinct and important place in the Plan of the ages. Paul did not accept his calling as Apostle, then run around trying to please everyone in his periphery. He did not accept his calling then, as many ministers have done in our age, begin to placate every wayward believer and unbeliever in order to keep peace and to keep his job. Paul knew that he was called by Jesus Christ to be an Apostle. He was the successor to Judas, a Christ picked successor, and worked within his calling. He did not stay around Jerusalem as did the other Apostles, but followed God where his apostolic office took him: Paul went out and began to preach the Gospel of salvation to the Gentiles. Paul started his ministry preaching in Damascus. Smith's Bible Dictionary states:

Damas’cus, [is] one of the most ancient and most important of the cities of Syria. It is situated 130 miles northeast of Jerusalem, in a plain of vast size and of extreme fertility, which lies east of the great chain of Anti-Libanus, on the edge of the desert. This fertile plain, which is nearly circular and about 30 miles in diameter, is due to the river Barada, which is probably the "Abana" of Scripture. Two other streams the Wady Helbon upon the north and the Awaj, which flows direct from Hermon upon the south, increase the fertility of the Damascene plain, and contend for the honor of representing the "Pharpar" of Scripture. According to Josephus, Damascus was founded by Uz [the] grandson of Shem. It is first mentioned in Scripture in connection with Abraham.

Paul also preached in Syria:

(Smith's) Syr’ia is the term used throughout our version for the Hebrew Aram, as well as for the Greek Zupia. Most probably Syria is for Tsyria, the country about Tsur or Tyre which was the first of the Syrian towns known to the Greeks. It is difficult to fix the limits of Syria. The limits of the Hebrew Aram and its subdivisions are spoken of under ARAM. Syria proper was bounded by Amanus and Taurus on the north by the Euphrates and the Arabian desert on the east, by Palestine on the south, by the Mediterranean near the mouth of the Orontes, and then by Phoenicia on the west. This tract is about 300 miles long from north to south, and from 50 to 150 miles broad. It contains an area of about 30,000 square miles.

And in Cilicia:

(Smith's) Cilic’ia [is] ( the land of Celix), a maritime province in the southeast of Asia Minor, bordering on Pamphylia in the west, Lycaonia and Cappadocia in the north, and Syria in the east. Cilicia was from its geographical position the high road between Syria and the west; it was also the native country of St. Paul, hence it was visited by him, firstly, soon after his conversion.

Other than a short visit in Jerusalem, Paul stayed away from this unofficial "Capital City of Christianity". When he did visit Jerusalem three years after his calling, he only saw Peter and James. Why these two? Certainly not to get their blessing for ministry, for Christ blessed his ministry, and that blessing is enough. It was a courtesy to visit these two men, though, for Peter was the considered "head or chief Apostle", and James was the Bishop or Overseer over the Church of Jerusalem. He went to see them briefly, but had no need to return to Jerusalem until about 14 years later. When Paul returned to Jerusalem he took Barnabas and Titus with him.

We are first introduced to Barnabas in Acts 4:36, where we read:

(Acts 4:36-37 KJV) "And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, {37} Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet."

Barnabas the Levite was an early convert to Christianity. In fact, he was so dedicated to his newly found Savior that he sold his land and gave the money for that sale to the Apostles. As a Levite, one of the 24 courses of lower priests who served in the Temple of Jerusalem, Barnabas faced censure and ridicule from both family and friends for following Christ. Further, the Levites were given no land when the Promised Land was distributed to Israel:

(Numbers 18:20-21 KJV) "And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. {21} And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation."

This was because, from the very beginning, the children of Levi, the Levites, were set apart to do God's work in Israel. As priests they inherited the tithe from Israel, but received no land: God was their inheritance. The Levites stood with God when many in Israel followed after the golden calf:

(Exodus 32:26 KJV) "Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him."

Thus they received no land as an inheritance. The land that Barnabas gave was perhaps something that he had bought for himself with the tithe he was given. Barnabas loved Jesus, and it showed! When Paul accepted Christ on Damascus Road only Barnabas believed that he was saved (Acts 9:26-27). All the other disciples were frightened of Paul because of the damage he did to the Church prior to his conversion. Barnabas took Paul to Jerusalem and introduced him to the brethren. From that point onward it seemed as if Paul and Barnabas were tied together as brothers in the ministry.

Titus also went with Paul on his journey back to Jerusalem. Titus was a young Gentile Christian, and Paul took Titus with him as an object lesson for the Judaizers in Jerusalem.

Paul's main purpose in returning to Jerusalem after fourteen years was to combat the Judaizers, the legalists that had gotten a foothold in the Church. Judaizers are those who emphasize ritual over relationship with God. Paul took Titus with him to Jerusalem as proof positive that God did not require anyone to be circumcised in order to be saved by faith in Jesus. In order to see exactly what went on in Jerusalem at this meeting, we need to look at Acts 15, a record of that meeting.

(Acts 15:1-17 KJV) "And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. {2} When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. {3} And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. {4} And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. {5} But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. {6} And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. {7} And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. {8} And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; {9} And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. {10} Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? {11} But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. {12} Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. {13} And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: {14} Simeon (Jewish name for Peter, Simeon) hath declared how God at the first (salvation of the Gentiles was revealed to Peter first) did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. {15} And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, (quotation from Amos 9:11-12, see below) {16} After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: {17} That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things."

(Amos 9:11-12 KJV) "In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: {12} That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this."

That which was recorded in the Book of Acts by Luke was a true record of this first "high level" meeting of the Church. Paul went to Jerusalem with both Titus and Barnabas to meet with the other Apostles to get something straight. From the beginning of his ministry, Paul had been preaching to the Gentiles that all they needed to do to be saved was to repent (that is, turn away from their present gods and means of worship) and believe (accept Jesus Christ as Savior). Yet Luke records that certain religious men that were given the title Pharisee (see Acts 15:5, above) had risen up and promoted the idea that unless one were circumcised (had the Jewish ritual performed where the foreskin of their penis was removed) and the Law of Moses was kept (the rituals, feasts, and restrictions intact), then salvation was not possible.

How many times have religious people risen up in the Church and taught that which was contrary to good Biblical truth? When our Lord Jesus Christ walked the earth these religious people, these Pharisees, tormented our Beloved at every turn. He called them hypocrites, whited walls, people whose father was the Devil. Now that Jesus has left earth to sit at the right hand of God the Father, these snakes, these distorted religious people, they attack the sacrifice of Christ just as vigorously as they attacked Him while He walked the earth. Shame on the Apostles for listening to these wolves in sheep's clothing! Shame on us for allowing them to fellowship with us in the meeting of the local Church!

For years I have been tormented by these wolves in sheep's clothing. As a pastor I have had these people tear apart the preaching of the Gospel. In one Church, an older woman told me that Jesus was wrong when He praised the leper for returning to thank Him for his healing, but rebuked the other nine (Luke 17:17-18). At another, silly women led away by their lusts rejected their pastor out of racism. I have seen Godly men whose only desire was to preach the Gospel hounded from their place of service by Pharisees. In one Church, a female Pharisee rebuked the minister of music because there was a sound system installed in the Church! Pharisees. God save us from these heathen in fine Sunday dress. Pharisees. Satan's own who walk among us, despising the completed work of the Cross, preferring the work of their own hands. Pharisees! Snakes in the garden of Grace.

Had the disciples any gumption whatsoever they would have ran these Pharisees out of the assembly of the Church: Instead they allowed these splinters of selfishness to remain in the Body until the pus of evil had formed. Church after Church in America allows people like this to stay on the attendance rolls, often fighting to keep their name on these useless records while these people refuse to attend Church, or even work against the interests of their respective Churches. Rather than discipline these errant people, their madness is excused, while they fester and incite the flock to riot. This is what happened at Jerusalem, and the stench of legalistic poison was rapidly infesting the Body of Christ. Rather than stomp this mess out, the Apostles had allowed it to go unchecked, and now the disease was spreading. Acts 15:6-7 states that the "apostles and elders came together to consider this matter", and that there was "much disputing". Let me ask you this: What needed to be considered? Had not Jesus paid for our sins? Were not His cries of agony on that bloody, cursed tree enough? When God the Father turned His back on our Beloved, was not that enough? Precious ones, what is there to consider? How dare we, or even an angel from Heaven, consider the matter? It needs no consideration, just action.

Our text tells us that there was much disputing, and there was. Though the Acts account does not mention that Peter was a cause of much of this disputing, Paul will reveal this truth later on in Galatians. Peter allowed the religious crowd to convince him that it was necessary for the Gentiles to be circumcised. Peter changed his opinion once Paul disputed with him, but Peter, our brash friend Peter, had already fallen into the stench of legalism. It was necessary that Paul drag him out of that stench.

Once he was pulled away from where he had fallen, Peter stepped up like a true Apostle. His statement, an honorable and truthful one, bears repeating. He said:

(Acts 15:7 KJV) "And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe."

A sect has risen up in our modern Church that teaches that Paul was the only Apostle to the Gentiles. This sect is mistaken. As Peter truthfully states, he was the first Apostle chosen by God to preach the Gospel of salvation to the Gentiles. Cornelius, himself a Gentile, came to Peter to hear the Gospel (Acts 10:1) while Paul was a babe in Christ. God showed Peter through Cornelius that the Gentiles were to be evangelized along with the Jews. If this sect rises up in your Church, reject its untruths, and return to what the Scripture, rightfully divided, teaches. If you don't you will find yourself in as much trouble as the early Church was in with the Pharisees.

(Acts 15:8-9 KJV) "And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; {9} And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith."

Just as the Jews came to God and to salvation by faith, so did the Gentiles come to God through Christ by faith. Peter knew this truth before it was given to Paul.

(Acts 15:10-11 KJV) "Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? {11} But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they."

Peter rejected the yoke of the Law, and preached faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ in order to attain salvation. Peter allowed himself to be corrected by Paul, and supported faith alone in Christ alone for salvation. Now that we have seen the "behind the scenes report" of the first council of Jerusalem, let's look at Paul's account of this same meeting.

(Galatians 2:2 KJV) "And I went up (Aorist Indicative Active, I went up in a point of time) by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach (Present Linear Aktionsart, I keep on preaching) among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, (Present Active Subjunctive, Linear Aktionsart, keep on running) or had run, in vain."

(Galatians 2:2 KJV) "And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain."

In this era where Christians have learned to compromise rather than to stand in the truth, doing what Paul did would be unthinkable. Christians have looked the other way while innocent babies have been ripped from their mother's wombs. Christians have justified sexual immorality and lascivious living among their community, lest we "run people away from the Church". Christians have failed to cast their votes on election day, and as a result the heathen have packed our halls of administration, our courts, our legislatures, our schools, our local governments. By failing to take a stand we have, dear believers, brought decay rather than light into our society - and sooner or later we will pay the price for our sloth!

Paul knew that to say nothing when evil rears its head in the Church is to imply your approval. Rolling your eyes in private does nothing for the cause of Christ. You need to speak out, Scripture in hand, and show others why their behavior is wrong. Paul took immediate action by having a private meeting with the "heads" of the Church. He decided it was best that this thing be nipped in the bud. And, once he had the meeting, he did not hesitate to point the light of truth at the malefactors, regardless as to whether it endeared him to these people or not. Beloved, when you lay down for untruth, you are not being Christians - you are making it easier for the evil people to stand up. Because pastors have laid down for racism, abortion, adultery, homosexuality, and many of the other evils so prevalent in our society, those involved in these evils have begun to stand up and proclaim their way is righteous. In many Churches it is hard to tell the difference between the unsaved and the saved: both are into the same kind of behavior in their daily lives. Stand up for God and be counted if you expect to make a difference.

That's exactly what Paul did. The elders at Jerusalem fell under the spell of these legalists, just as many local churches have fallen under the spell of hedonists. The legalists came in and said, "Christians should be set apart people. What better way to set them apart than to follow the methods our Creator gave to Abraham? God told Abraham and his seed to be circumcised, or they would be "cut off" or separated from the Covenant Promises. If that's true, then if a person is a Christian - like these Gentiles profess to be Christians - then they should be willing to be circumcised"!

When Paul heard this MESSage he acted quickly. He didn't do like so many do today. He didn't look the other way, or wait for someone else to handle the problem. God gave Paul a ministry among these Gentiles, a wonderful ministry that was flourishing, and not once did God demand that these new converts be circumcised. Circumcision was a practice God established in Israel, in Abraham's seed that would be Israel. The Gentiles knew no such law, nor had no such custom.

(Galatians 2:3 KJV) "But neither Titus, who was (Present Linear Aktionsart, was always) with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:"

Titus had proven himself to Paul many times as a true and faithful Christian. Titus was a Gentile, obviously born of Gentile parents, and it was not the Gentile custom to be circumcised. These Pharisees promoted the idea that Titus and others like him were less saved because he had not been circumcised.

(Galatians 2:4 KJV) "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have (Present Linear Aktionsart, keep on having [liberty]) in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:"

(Galatians 2:5 KJV) "To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you."

Paul got tough with these people, just as ministers should with legalism and false doctrine. Ministers must have a backbone, or else leave the ministry. Pastors are shepherds, and MUST shepherd their flocks. If we who are called to minister do not do our jobs, I guarantee you that Satan will do his. Satan and his fallen ministers and demons will certainly offer the sheep worldly sustenance which, once consumed, will destroy that local Church's output for Christ.

Paul calls these Pharisees whom he stood up against "false brethren brought in unawares". This is the Greek word "Pseudadelphos", and its definition is "one who ostentatiously professes to be a Christian, but is destitute of Christian knowledge and piety". That definition is directly, word for word, reproduced from the lexicon I use. To profess Christianity does not mean that you are a Christian. A Christian is a person who has accepted Christ as Savior and who follows that which Christ has told him to do. There are a number of people who have crept into the Church over the years who profess to love Jesus but clearly hate people. They love ritual over reality, and are quick to profess and uphold the sacraments of the Church - water baptism and the Lord's Table - yet fail to understand that the ritual in itself has no validity unless one first has a relationship with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. If one is in Christ then God the Holy Spirit indwells him; and if God the Holy Spirit, Who is Love, indwells us then we will exemplify love! These Pseudadelphos, these Pharisees, these false brethren are exposed as what they are - liars and subverters of the Gospel - because they do not function out of love for the family of God. Their function is to enslave, to entrap, to rob the Church of the freedom that it has in Christ.

Consider the Law of Moses for a moment. Perhaps we have covered this before, perhaps not - but in either case we need to be straight on this truth before we continue. It was never God's intention to place and leave man under the bondage of the Mosaic Law. In fact, circumcision, the act of removing the foreskin from the male genitals, is a ritual that was given to the direct descendants of Abraham prior to the coming of the Mosaic Law. Look at the beginning of the ritual.

(Genesis 17:9-14 KJV) "And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. {10} This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. {11} And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. {12} And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. {13} He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. {14} And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant."

God established a covenant with Abraham, and with his direct descendants in perpetuity. A covenant cannot be established between two strangers, for there would be no need. What do two strangers have to do with one another? No, a covenant is a contract between two people who have a relationship with one another. There were a number of ways in which a covenant could be invoked in ancient times. Oaths could be sworn, salt could be exchanged, a sacrifice could be made and both parties could pass among the pieces of the sacrifice, or, rarely among our forefathers, documents could be signed. Covenants were usually witnessed by a third party, and established by some type of ritual. Our Creator made two types of Covenant with man: a conditional covenant and an unconditional covenant. The unconditional covenant emphasized that God would insure that man was blessed regardless as to man's activity and ability within the covenant. The unconditional covenant was almost one-sided: God said "I will do this", and did what He said. The conditional covenant, on the other hand, required that man fulfill his part of the covenant, else God would not fulfill His part. The covenant that God established with Abraham was CONDITIONAL. Every child that was born into the house of Abraham, his direct descendants who would one day be known as Israelites, that man child MUST be circumcised on the eighth day following birth. This was an everlasting covenant between Abraham and God. If the child was not circumcised, or any family within Abraham's lineage refused to follow this ritual, then that family was "cut off" from Israel.

Circumcision was an intensely personal ritual. It was not one entered into without thought, for it required a certain amount of sacrifice and fortitude among its participants. Further, circumcision was never given to those outside of the direct lineage of Abraham, nor did it have any validity with those who had absolutely no relationship with God. Abraham had a personal, intimate relationship with God. God established a personal, intimate relationship with Abraham and his descendants. Circumcision as a ritual was established as a condition of the covenant between God and Israel. Had there been no relationship, the ritual would be valueless. Further, the ritual was given long before the giving of the Mosaic Law to Israel and Israel alone.

Our Lord Jesus emphasized that circumcision as a ritual between God and Israel became a part of the Mosaic Law when the Law was given:

(John 7:22 KJV) "Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the Sabbath day circumcise a man."

In other words, it was a preexisting condition that was imported into the Law because it was given in perpetuity to Abraham and his seed. In that sense it was similar to the Sabbath Day, which was invoked as a day of rest for Israel long before the giving of the Law. Both circumcision and the Sabbath were imports which were naturally written into the Mosaic Law, though greater weight was given to circumcision, for the Israelite MUST be circumcised on the eighth day following birth - even on the Sabbath Circumcision is pre-Law. Circumcision is relationship oriented. Circumcision is perpetual to Abraham and his seed. Circumcision is for Israel.

Now here is the key. If circumcision is for Israel, a ritual that was based on the covenant between God and Abraham, then why were the Judaizers trying to levy circumcision on EVERYONE who came into the Church of Christ? Circumcision as a ritual was established between God and Israel. When the Gentile accepted Christ as Savior, was he entering into covenant with God through Israel or through Christ? If circumcision was established as a necessary part of salvation, and circumcision was a ritual rooted in an agreement between Abraham and God, then all who were saved would be entering into a covenant relationship with God THROUGH ABRAHAM, not through Christ. Titus was a Gentile, not a Jew. He was not a direct descendent of Abraham, not of Israel, and was not saved by believing in the covenant promise made between God and Abraham. Titus was saved by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior apart from the Abrahamic Covenant and apart from the Mosaic Law. No matter how you looked at it, there was no basis for the Judaizers demanding blanket circumcision for all who came into the Church of Christ. To do so would be foolish and unbiblical. Paul, trained by Gamaliel, a Rabbi among Rabbis, rejected the false teachings of these false brethren. Their only purpose in entering the Body of Christ was to disrupt, not to bless. Paul wasn't going to stand for it!

(Galatians 2:6 KJV) "But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:"

(2 Peter 3:15-18 KJV) "And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; {16} As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. {17} Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. {18} But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."

Rather than back away from the issue, Paul stood up and fought the Judaizers. Wicked people often infiltrate the Body of Christ just like infection enters the human body. When that happens, it is necessary for someone, anyone, to mount a counter offensive. Like white blood cells, the Body of Christ needs believers who are schooled in the Word of God to stand up against ungodly men and women. Peter initially fell into the Judaizers trap, and Paul had to go against the infected crowd - Peter included - in order to restore order to the Body. Paul's attitude was that of "God first, all else second! I don't care who these people are, or who they think they are: they are wrong because they twist the Word of God!" We need more white blood cells in the Body today. We certainly don't need another denomination. We don't need more sleepy eyed, unconcerned, don't rock the boat converts to Christ. We need believers who will stand up against doctrinal error and say, "I love you, but what you're saying doesn't match what the Word of God is saying. You're mistaken, misled, or evil - but you're certainly not right."

(Galatians 2:7 KJV) "But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed (pisteuo, Perfect Passive Indicative, deposited in the past with results that remain forever) unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;"

(Galatians 2:8 KJV) "(For he that wrought (to communicate power) effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)"

(Galatians 2:9 KJV) "And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given (Aorist Passive) 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."

What was Paul talking about in these verses? Quite simply, that God called him to go and take the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles, and that God called Peter to go and take the Gospel of Christ to the Jews. Remember that we read in the Jerusalem Conference that Peter was the first Apostle chosen to carry the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles:

(Acts 15:7 KJV) "And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe."

But now, it seems, Paul is given the Great Commission to the Gentiles, and the other Apostles are to evangelize or focus their evangelization among the Jews. Why was this? Frankly, it was because the Apostles refused to do what Christ commissioned them to do in the first place. Look at the Great Commission:

(Matthew 28:19-20 KJV) "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: {20} Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Look at what Jesus told the Apostles before He ascended into Heaven:

(Acts 1:8 KJV) "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

The Apostles were given a clear commission to preach the Gospel not just to the Jews, but to the Gentiles as well. Did they do this? No! The first person to go into Samaria preaching the Gospel was Philip the Evangelist:

(Acts 8:1-5 KJV) "And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. {2} And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. {3} As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. {4} Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. {5} Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them."

While Peter and the other Apostles hung back in Jerusalem. Paul was given the Commission to preach to the Gentiles - this he confessed in the Jerusalem Conference - but he did nothing with that commission but muddy up the water. Paul alone fulfilled the Great Commission of Christ, and carried the Gospel message out to the Gentiles. Because Peter failed to do as God ordered, the commission to preach to the Gentiles fell to Paul - with the full consent of all the Apostles.

Was Paul the head of a "Gentile" Church, whereas Peter the head of a "Jewish" Church? Absolutely not! There is only one Church, one Bride of Christ purchased with His own blood. The Church was not divided into "Jewish" and "Gentile" congregations, such talk is foolish and racist. Man sets denominations and divisions in the Church, not God. The Body of Christ is a Body of believers, all saved by faith in Jesus Christ:

(1 Corinthians 12:24-25 KJV) "For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: {25} That there should be no schism (schisma) in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another."

The division of labor between Peter and Paul did not introduce division into the Church, for there is neither "Jew nor Gentile" in the Church, but they organized their areas of missionary activity - where they would focus their evangelization. They did NOT create a "Jewish Church" and a "Gentile Church", but reached all nations through their combined efforts. Further, certain movements - evil men who have crept into our assemblies unaware - preach that Paul alone was the only Apostle with whom the Gentiles have to do, whereas the other Apostles, with their writings, have no validity outside of the so called Jewish Church. This is a lie and a travesty! God did not introduce division into the Church of Christ when He told Paul to evangelize the Gentiles and the other Apostles to evangelize the Jews. There is one Church, one Body, one Bride of Christ composed of both Jew and Gentile, bond and free, male and female, and we are all ONE in Christ Jesus.

(Galatians 3:28 KJV) "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

God has never placed the Gentile under the Jewish rite of circumcision, nor did He promote a Jewish Church and a Gentile Church. The Apostles were the foundation of the whole Church:

(Ephesians 2:19-22 KJV) "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; {20} And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; {21} In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: {22} In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

And Christ is the chief cornerstone of the whole Church. Racism and division has no place in the Body of Christ. God rejects division of any sort in His Church. Father, help us regain the oneness in Christ that we are called to, in Jesus' name.

• Though each believer may have a unique part to play in the Plan of God, does God condone division in His Church?
• What was Paul's main purpose in returning to Jerusalem after fourteen years among the Gentiles?
• Was the Apostle Paul the first Apostle given the commission to preach the Gospel among the Gentiles? Who was the first person/ persons?
• What were the Judaizers trying to do in the Church?
  • Were these Judaizers truly Christians? Why or why not?
• Was the act of circumcision ever given to the Gentiles? To whom was it given?
• Is there a "Gentile" Church and a "Jewish" Church? Why or why not?