Then after fourteen
years I went up again
to Jerusalem with
Barnabas, and also
took Titus with me. And
I went up
by revelation, and communicated to them
that possible which I
preach among the Gentiles,
but privately to
those who wear a reputation,
lest by any means I
might run, or had run,
in vain.
Galatians 2: 1 -- 2
Paul
continues to prove the divine authority of his doctrine in his mission, also by
James, Peter, and John's acknowledging him and Barnabas, as apostles to the
Gentiles, and the receiving of Titus who was a great end to the Christian
communion. Paul did not seek approval
of his doctrine because he was uncertain and doctrines, but because it was
being slandered in that slander was that he was teaching something different
than the apostle Peter preached. From
the beginning of Christianity, there were differences between the Christians,
those who were Jews, and those who were Gentiles. Those hearings desire to retain, at least in some part, the
ceremonial law given by Moses. Paul is
now telling this narrative in regards to another trip that he had taken
earlier, some fourteen years earlier after his conversion. We can see from the life of Paul, after his
conversion, that he had no dependence upon the other apostles being he was so
long absent from them and was preaching Christianity. Paul came to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus. The question about circumcision was a major
question among these early Christians, therefore all give the account of Titus: "Yet not even Titus who was with me,
being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in
(who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus,
that they might bring us into bondage), to whom we did not yield submission
even for an hour, that the truth of the Gospel might continue with you"
(Galatians 2:3 -- 5). Now, I must speak about the fact that Paul went to
Jerusalem by means of revelation. As we
study the life of Paul we find that God revealed himself in special ways to
Paul to aid him in his ministry to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. There are those, such as, the Bethel School
of the Supernatural, and other churches to follow in similar manner, that God
continues to bring special revelation outside of His Scripture and we are not
to question whether their revelation is of God or not. We have no reason to expect this, yet we
should endeavor to see our way made plain, and to commit ourselves to the
guidance of Providence. How do we do
this? That may make this clear and
simple for we are never told that God would give to us any form of special
revelation outside of what he has had written under the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit. Therefore, we get our guidance
as we apply the Scriptures to our lives and by this the Holy Spirit has a way
to guide us, therefore, are revelation is complete: "But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in
part we'll be done away" (1 Corinthians 13: 10). The word in Greek: τέλειον,
can be used a person is, or a physical development, to be fully grown more
mature and of things that are complete or perfect and here in his Scripture is
referring to the complete revelation of God's will in ways, whether in the
completed scriptures or in the hereafter.
Therefore, we look at the context determined which is the correct
understanding, and we find Paul speaking in regards to babes and the people as
a babes speak as a babe and understood as a babe but when a person becomes
mature or a man those things are put away.
So not as a man that perfect thing is now available to impart to a
person what is to be known and has revealed so that we know the will of
God. Yes, we will know more fully when
we enter into heaven but until that time we have all that God has revealed to
us in that perfect thing which he inspired to be written and formed together as
a book, the Bible. There is no need to
second-guess what a person is thinking about in regards to some sort of
revelation and we can examine what that person speaks about his revelation to
see whether or not Scripture is contradicted or not. We are to judge the actions of others some would say that we are
not to judge and the course, in any way shape or form for we are to keep the
congregation clean and we do this by these written word. In Paul's day they did not have a complete
written word as we do today is found in our Bible so there was only
understanding in part and only in trying with good preaching and teaching could
people come to know the will of God and how to live their lives. Don't get caught up by those who teach and
other Gospel which is not a Gospel at all.
Paul ensures us that he would not even submit one hour to those kinds of
people who are teaching that other Gospel which is not the Gospel. The same goes for you and I we must be on
guard for seeking comes to us in sheep clothing and is a minister of light and
to deceive us to follow after what we think is scriptural when in fact it is
not. We have a responsibility to ourselves
and to others who study God's Word and to come to the truth of what God's Word
actually says and not just what a man says.
Often that means we must confirm with mature Christians but even then we
are to examine what they are saying in light of Scripture. Trust the word of God and by doing so you
cannot go wrong.
Teach me, O LORD,
the way of
Your statutes,
and I shall keep it
to the end.
Give me understanding,
and I shall keep
your That law;
indeed, I shall observe it
with my whole heart. Make me walk
in the path of Your commandments,
for I delight in it.
Psalm 119: number 33 -- 35
May God's Word be
established in you
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