King James Version, with Nii Okai's journal notes · 4 notes
1Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
2And 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.
3But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
Oh, the early Apostles. Why was Paul explaining himself, men who wrought mighty miracles?
They were so humble and saw themselves as bond servants and servants of the people.
So he sought to win the people over to sound doctrine.
But today there is so much pompousness in the church, because men and women of God have crowds and power.
But then again, some may argue that the church members then were obedient and listened to the apostles, so they could go down to the people's level and explain themselves as needed.
But today, there is little reverence for men of God, so men of God stay in their safe places and do what God has called them to do to the best of their abilities.
4And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
5To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
6But 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:
Paul would not be bullied by titles and disobey God, as we are taught today in the church ⛪.
By these insecure hypnotists. Practicing mind bending on the congregation.
Paul knew the truth and would not allow it to be corrupted, not even by the great apostles.
As we see, he did not see them as pillars but described them as "they seem to be pillars",
because God has not respect of persons.
This is how the Good News renders it:
Galatians 2:6 GNT
But those who seemed to be the leaders—I say this because it makes no difference to me what they were; God does not judge by outward appearances—those leaders, I say, made no new suggestions to me.
7But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
8( For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
9And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given 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.
10Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
11But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
12For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
13And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
15We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
17But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
18For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
The law, by its design and very instruction, was designed to die and to be replaced by Jesus' grace, released by his death and resurrection.
20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
These men, being Jews by nature 🏞, contemplated the doctrine of the New Testament deeply in order to really understand what it was all about.
And that abolishing the practice of Judaism was not denouncing God but aligning with him.