Class #14: St. Peter had been taught by a revelation (Acts 10-11) that “God does not show favoritism” and “everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” Later Peter had proclaimed that same Gospel message at the Apostolic Council (Acts 15:7-11) which Sts. Barnabas, Titus and Paul had attended (Galatians 2:11-21). The Jerusalem church leaders gave Paul and the Antiochian delegation “the right hand of fellowship” (Gal 2:9), which means they had the same teaching and practice.
In today’s reading from Galatians 2:11ff, St. Paul needed to call St. Peter back to the truth of the gospel. When the circumcision party showed up, St. Peter fearing to displease them, changed his practice to reflect their teaching that a person must believe AND observe the law to be saved. The correction was public because Barnabas and the Jews were being led astray from the truth of the gospel.
There are three Scriptural uses for the law. The law serves as (1) a curb to restrain the sinful nature, as a (2) mirror to convict man of his sins, and as (3) a guide to show how a believer is to live in thanking his God. The law is not used as a means for acquiring salvation.
Overhead: galatians-class-14-overhead
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS