(1) Question
Why Paul needed to present the Gospel to the leaders?
Paul was so sure about the Gospel he shared with the Galatians that he said those who share a different gospel deserved to be condemned 1:8,9.
But now he went to Jesus to present the gospel to the leaders in Jerusalem to make sure that he was not running or had not run in vain?
2:2 I went there because of a revelation and presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so only in a private meeting with the influential people, to make sure that I was not running—or had not run—in vain
(2) Solution
To answer this question, I will look at what Paul had actually presented to the leaders.
a. Paul confirmed that although some people wanted Titus to be circumcised v.4, but the leaders had not compelled Titus to do so v.3. That was due to the truth of the Gospel.
2:5 But we did not surrender to them even for a moment, in order that the truth of the gospel would remain with you
The faith in the Gospel is sufficient, no need to add anything and we cannot add anything as the requirement of the Gospel.
v.6 those influential leaders added nothing to my message
That was the first point Paul presented to the leaders and they agreed.
b. There were evidence that the leaders could see to show that Paul was entrusted by God to share the Gospel to the uncircumcised.
2:7 On the contrary, when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised just as Peter was to the circumcised
What kind of evidence that they could see that God had entrusted Paul?
2:8 (for he who empowered Peter for his apostleship to the circumcised also empowered me for my apostleship to the Gentiles)
They could see that the power from Paul to share the Gospel came from God. Perhaps, it was due to the fact that Paul as a formal devoted Judaism believer now had the heart to share the Gospel with the non-Jews. Or it was because they saw the fruit of his ministries among the non-Jews (Paul had been in the ministry for 14 years now. People started to call the followers of Christ Christians in Antioch. Paul served in that church Acts 11:25-26).
Reflection: Can people see that you are entrusted with the Gospel? Do you make any adjustment in your life because you want to share the Gospel? Have you devoted yourself to learn more about children because you want to share the gospel to them? Have you read the books about buddhism so that you can share the gospel with your families who believe in that?
What is the fruit of your ministry? Do you see people come to Christ through the ministry?
(3) Conclusion
2:9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who had a reputation as pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we would go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised
The leaders recognized the "grace"..."agreeing that we would go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised." In other words, they see Paul as equal. Their only difference was the people group that they targeted at.
Now, go back to the question, "Why did Paul present the gospel... to make sure that I was not running—or had not run—in vain."
Paul wanted everyone to see that between the Jerusalem's leaders and Paul there was no difference in the Gospel.
He wanted to have the recognition from the Jerusalem's leaders that they were equal in the entrustment from God and in the empowering by God.
If he had not had the back up by the Jerusalem's leaders his work would be ruined by the false brothers. He set up churches, but the false brothers destroyed them after him. Then his work was in vain.
Reflection: Is your evangelistic effort in vain? What is the thing that always destroys your work? Is there any person who competes with you to prevent your unsaved friend from listening to the Gospel? Someone told me that the unsaved friend's extended family always have family gathering/outing on Sunday morning so that our unsaved friend cannot come to church. For some reasons, some time later, this unsaved friend is able to come to the church more regularly. Thank God! Let us pray for them.
Audrey
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