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Q4. Paul and the Jerusalem Church


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Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)?

I in a sense do not see Paul distancing himself from the leaders, but more so an acknowledge of interdependence. Each group, both have a charge (grace) given to them. These mentioned upon the counsel according to Paul to those that were circumcised; he and Barnabas unto the heathen. In essence these two groups would both be accomplishing the mission they perceived at the time.

Paul said what he said as he was lead by the Spirit, and that which he said was relevant not only to the audience but to the mediating circumstances.

Note: There is truth to Paul's declaration however it was more so situational vices the Truth, the Gospel. Matthew 28:19 & Acts 1:8 gives the Apostles (actually all that believe) a different charge as does Acts 9:15 to Paul. The Holy Spirit, God placed varying circumstance in their lives where they were force to go beyond their comfort zone (their comfort zone Peter / the Apostle among people with similarities /like them. With Paul among people who received him.) Truth be told Peter and other Jew Christians which were circumcised weren't sharing love, they had biases and perhaps even prejudices that was rooted deep. Peter in Act 10 through Cornelius eyes were opened as was others of / the counsel. Acts 18:6, Paul as he was rejected by the Jews placed a greater effort towards the nations, but never totally negating the Jews (each city he went to, often he would reach out to the Jews).

Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry?

It affirms the Gospel, it affirms what he is saying, it conveys the authentic of the Gospel and Paul. It confirms the church leaders approval of inclusion.

How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter?

By gaining the church leaders endorsement so to speak it furthers the thought that the Judaizers were promoting a different doctrine whereas Paul was sharing the Gospel.

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Q4. (Galatians 2:1-10) Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)?

Because they had the option to destroy his chances or to support. If they chose to destroy, he would be helpless to challenge someone he had already endorsed.

Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry? The people looked to them for approval. He needed the people's attention.

How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter? If the leaders approve; he was one step closer to achieving the real mission without obstruction.

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I believe he is continuing to support his earlier statement that he comes from God. That is why he is there - not because of the Jerusalem leaders. Establishing independence in a way to not be thought of as someone with 'the same old story'. He mentions approval to show credibility. Like having references on a resume. Support.

It is in a way proving himself to the Galatians as someone who should be taken seriously. (By a combination of how this was revealed to him and his approvals.)

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He seemingly distanced himself from those leaders because they had falsely led the people into thinking they had to be circumcised. He taught them the gospel again and the gospel in action when Titus did not want to be circumcised. It was a was of keeping the peace--of sorts. He didn't want to give in to them.

He wanted to be independant from their ministry.

At that time they respected & approved of his ministry to the Gentiles.

They gave them the right hand of fellowship after recognizing God's grace in Him. Then they came together agreeably, to remember the poor. Along with bringing the gospel to the Gentiles, he was also eager to be ministering to the poor.

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Q4. (Galatians 2:1-10) Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)? Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry? How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter?

He did not want to be judged as being a Jew and thus looking down on his gentile church. He wanted them to realize that He was sent by Jesus to them not from men. He want to allow the knowledge that he was given and the grace that Jesus was sent to all men not just the Jews.

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Q. (Galatians 2:1-10) Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)?

I believe Paul may have distanced himself from the fact that an office, position, or outward appearances is not what matters, what matters is the exciting truth of the Gospel, namely this, the Messiah died for our sins, in accordance with what the Scripture says, he was buried; and he was raised on the third day, in accordance with what the Scripture says.

It is often the little foxes that cause divisions.

Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry?

The leaders of the Jerusalem church are men commissioned by God, they are acknowledged as pillars of the community and therefore their approval was important for growth to occur. :)

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Q4. (Galatians 2:1-10)

Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)?

Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church in order to show his opponents in Galatia that his authority does not come from the leaders in Jerusalem as these opponents claim. He is trying to show them his independence.

Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry?

At the same time writes of their approval of his ministry in order to show that they have approved his revelation and ministry to the Gentiles.

How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter?

This furthers his argument to the Galatians in this letter by telling them that, even respectable leaders who he does not follow have approed his ministry and his mission to the Gentiles.

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I think Paul wanted the apostles in Jerusalem to endorse his ministry to the Gentiles so that those being sent out to spy and Judaise the Gentiles would stop doing so. Perhaps he thought that if he had the public approval and fellowship of the apostles and if they supported his positions on Mosaic law and circumcision, he would be free to preach the gospel of grace, instead of arguing against circumcision all the time. To this end, he wanted to distance himself from the Jerusalem leaders so that there would be no talk of him being influenced by them, in what he preached. He wanted to hold on to the fact that he received the gospel by revelation, and the more time he spent and the closer he got to the apostles, there would always be the continued speculation that he was teaching what he had learnt from them.

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Paul reaffirms the authority of God in his ministry. He may appear to be distancing himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church, but rather he is making certain that the hearer understands that God's authority is supreme and he was not subject to Jerusalem's authority; that is, man's authority.

Paul clarified that he was called to minister to the Gentiles, and the leaders had salvation and therefore revelation to acknowledge that! Perhaps it was Paul credentialling the Jerusalem leaders - such was his certainty in the gospel- rather than the Paul being approved by the Jerusalem leaders. He was affirming to the Galations that the Jerusalem leaders had truth exposed and they were on the same team of God's grace; some ministering to the Jews, and Paul ministering to the Gentiles.

The fact that the sinner is called to repentance by grace, is our foundation. Paul was called by no man, appointed to ministry by no man. Therefore, this furthers his arguement of freedom to the Galations. Freedom comes from faith, not by law. Freedom comes when God calls you; you are therefore not subject to any man, but to the revelation of His Word.

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Q4. (Galatians 2:1-10) Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)? Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry? How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter?

Paul wants nothing to do with this importance bit. All are important to God and all are equally helpless in their sinful state without the blood of Christ shed for them.

Paul plays the game a bit since he recognized that others put some people on pedastals and some accepted being put on a pedastal.

It is the work of Christ and not of us, Greek column or not, that saves us totally, completely, wholly , forever to be one of Christ's redeemed souls for eternity. We are rescued! Thank you Jesus!

God Bless!

Jen

Romans 15:13

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Q4. (Galatians 2:1-10) Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)?

The Lord sent Paul to share with them the gospel he was preaching to the Gentiles. He did so in a private meeting , wanting to make certain that he would not be blindsided in a public dispute with them or to have them discredit his ministry in some way. He was called to preach to Gentiles, so distanced himself from their association with the Jewish Law and traditions they themselves were struggling to overcome as they came to understand the gospel of grace and grace alone. (It was Paul who rebuked Peter later on for eating separately from Gentile believers)

He also mentioned in V4 that his precaution was because of false brethren (Judaizers) who had slipped into the Christian brotherhood to spy on the liberty and freedom which "we have in Christ Jesus, that they might again bring us into bondage under the Law of Moses." Their "right hand of fellowship" validated that he was their equal under God's authority to preach the Gospel, and that they were not at odds with one another.

Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry?

They were the original Apostles who had lived and walked with Jesus for three years, while he was the "new kid on the block", and an outsider. To be able to communicate that he and they were "one", would hopefully "shut the mouths" of the spies who were seeking to destroy the gospel of grace, and who saw him as an enemy of the Jewish religion.

How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter?

His argument to the Galatians was that though Peter was motivated and fitted to preach to the circumcised, he, Paul, was equally motivated and fitted to preach to the uncircumcised, in unity and harmony of purpose under the choosing and authority of God the Father.

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Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)?

So that none could say that his message came from them. He wanted everyone to know he received his message from God Himself.

Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry?

So that everyone would know that they supported his message as the true message thus adding to its authencity in the eyes of man and to confirm that he was not working in vain.

How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter?

The leaders in Jerusalem recognised the grace that was given to Paul and gave him their blessing encouraging him to continue his work with the gentiles so the Galations had no reason to doubt him or to be led astray by others teaching something different.

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Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)?

So that none could say that his message came from them. He wanted everyone to know he received his message from God Himself.

Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry?

So that everyone would know that they supported his message as the true message thus adding to its authencity in the eyes of man and to confirm that he was not working in vain.

How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter?

The leaders in Jerusalem recognised the grace that was given to Paul and gave him their blessing encouraging him to continue his work with the gentiles so the Galations had no reason to doubt him or to be led astray by others teaching something different.

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Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)?

So that none could say that his message came from them. He wanted everyone to know he received his message from God Himself.

Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry?

So that everyone would know that they supported his message as the true message thus adding to its authencity in the eyes of man and to confirm that he was not working in vain.

How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter?

The leaders in Jerusalem recognised the grace that was given to Paul and gave him their blessing encouraging him to continue his work with the gentiles so the Galations had no reason to doubt him or to be led astray by others teaching something different.

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Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)?

So that none could say that his message came from them. He wanted everyone to know he received his message from God Himself.

Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry?

So that everyone would know that they supported his message as the true message thus adding to its authencity in the eyes of man and to confirm that he was not working in vain.

How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter?

The leaders in Jerusalem recognised the grace that was given to Paul and gave him their blessing encouraging him to continue his work with the gentiles so the Galations had no reason to doubt him or to be led astray by others teaching something different.

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Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)?

So that none could say that his message came from them. He wanted everyone to know he received his message from God Himself.

Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry?

So that everyone would know that they supported his message as the true message thus adding to its authencity in the eyes of man and to confirm that he was not working in vain.

How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter?

The leaders in Jerusalem recognised the grace that was given to Paul and gave him their blessing encouraging him to continue his work with the gentiles so the Galations had no reason to doubt him or to be led astray by others teaching something different.

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At the time he wasn't sure who he could trust because their had been some false teachers that had come to spy on the new church. He discovered that the leaders were true believers so he was sure that his message was in the right hands. He gave approval of the counsel for the church so that they would be confident in their leadership.

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Q4. (Galatians 2:1-10)

Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)?

Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry?

How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter?

Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church to make a point that they were not superior to him as an apostle; their status did not diminish Paul's status as an apostle. The Judaizers possibly claimed that Paul did not have as much status as the Jerusalem apostles and wanted him to go to Jerusalem for ‘that is where you can find truth’. As the most astute student of God's Word in the first century, he made a clean-cut break with Judaism. The Judaizers did not make a clean break, and this showed their lack of discernment of the principle of grace on their part. They followed him around the Roman Empire trying to undermine his message. They did everything they could to destroy him. Peter, however, held Paul in high esteem. Paul knew his gospel was the true gospel, having received it directly from Jesus Christ. So he did not need to get the approval from the other apostles. Rather, he did not want them to undermine his evangelistic work. He wanted his converts to be recognised as genuine Christians and members of the Church. Also he did not want the one Church to split into two branches – Jewish and Gentile Christianity. Paul met with these leaders to demonstrate to the Galatians that although he was not dependent on anyone but God for his message and ministry, he preached the same gospel the other apostles did.

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"Q4. (Galatians 2:1-10) Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)?

"I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain." 2:2

Based upon the fact that he had been preaching the Gospel at this point for approximately fifteen years with only one previous meeting the Apostles in Jerusalem, and his verbage about seeking "a private meeting with those esteemed as leaders" indicates to me that Paul is a little ticked off with the Apostles. Paul speaks of "running my race in vain", in a way that suggests to me that his concern or need of a private meeting is to rebuke or correct the Jerusalem Apostles about mixing the law with the Gospel of Grace laid down by Christ. Paul is trying ensure that all of his hard work and Christ death is not in vain or destroyed by human concessions.

"As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message." 2:6

Again he speaks about those, "held in high esteem", and I see it as a rebuke. Paul is saying to the Jerusalem Apostles, "Jesus chose you for a purpose...don't cave into religion....walk in the esteem into which you are held." Paul, also, again confirms quite adamantly that his message will not be swayed. He will tell the truth at any cost.

"James, Cephas[c] and John, those esteemed as 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 circumcised." 2:9

Paul is indicating that after the private meeting the peace was brokered and the solution was that he would take the Gospel to the Gentiles and the Jerusalem Apostles would focus on spreading the Gospel to the Jews.

What's interesting to me as I think about this is that Paul's Epistles with the Gospels compose the majority of the New Testatment. The witness of this one uncompromising resilient zealous man changed the world, yet eleven apostles who walked directly with Jesus were unable to convert one small nation. I think it is a lesson for us all on when and when not to compromise. The Jerusalem Apostles were never able to free themselves fully of the law under which they were born. Yet, Paul who was trained to be a teacher of the law...found no room to compromise over the Lamb of God who takes away the Sins of the World. He is the only righteousness we will ever have or need.

Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry? How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter?

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Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry?

Paul is making it known that after conferring with the Apostles in Jerusalem that they could only acknowledge the truth of the Gospel. What is interesting is that this group of eleven chose such a narrow ministry to one nation and gave to one man the responsibility of the world.

How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter?

Since they chose to carve out for themselves only the Jewish nation but granted Paul the remainder of the world, it would suggest to me that they recognized the authority and truth of the Gospel Paul preached. In fact, it further suggests that, the Jerusalem church knew that they were making concessions on the Gospel for the Law. So, while Paul is correcting the Church in Galatia, in many ways this letter is about setting the record straight once and for all concerning the Church in Jerusalem. Paul makes it clear that the Gospel he preached to them came directly from God and that the Church in Jerusalem confirmed its' validity.

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Paul distances himself from Jewish leadership in order further his claim that revelation of the gospel came to him directly from Christ, and CHRIST ALONE, and not from the Jewish leadership.This being said it is very important for them to believe that the Jewish leadership approves of Paul's teaching concerning the law of circumcision. This is important because it is the Judeizers who are disconnecting and confusing the gentles over the issue if circumcision.

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Q 4(Galation 2:1-10) Why do you think paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the jerusalem church?........Because Paul's opponents in Galatia are claiming that his authority come from the leaders in Jerusalem and he does not acknowledge the leaders authority over him...Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry?.....To show his opponents in Galatia that the leaders of Jerusalem church had supported&approved his ministry to Gentiles...How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter?.....This approval of Jerusalem church leaders upon his ministry to the Gentiles, as Peter to the Jews..and this mean to Galatians that his teachings is true and they must trust him & his ministry.not like the teachings of Judaizers, they was preaching another Gospel....

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Q4. (Galatians 2:1-10) Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)? Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry? How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter?

Paul seems to think of himself as an apostle or disciple yet he feels almost the unacceptance of his new position since they felt their ministry is to the Jews and his idea to the Gentiles was contasting to their understanding that God's message was to the Jews only. He is an disciple according to Jesus yet he felt he also was needing their covering which is their approval.

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Paul wants the Galatians to know that his message is from God not from the leaders of the Jerusalem church. However, he also wants them to understand that his message agrees with the message being preached to the Jews by Peter. The Gospel being preached is for both Jews and Gentiles. Paul is also emphasizing that his authority comes from Jesus (the true head of the church) and not from Jerusalem.

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