[:en]PAUL ACCEPTED BY THE APOSTLES (vs. 1-10)
Paul went to Jerusalem together with Barnabas and Titus to preach the gospel to both the Jews and the Gentles. He discussed his message with the leaders of the Jerusalem so that it could formally acknowledged his preaching by the apostles.
Titus was a Greek and Paul did not give in to the demands of the false brothers to have him circumcized. He wanted to assert his freedom in Christ Jesus and confirmed that Gentiles should not be asked to become Jews before being Christians.
James, Peter and John were reported to be pillars of the church. They gave approval for Paul and Barnabas to continue working among the Gentiles. They asked him to continue to remember the poor in Jerusalem.
PAUL OPPOSES PETER (vs. 11-21)
Peter, Paul, the Judaizer and some Gentiles Christians gather together in Antioch to share a meal. Peter used to eat with the Gentiles but when James and the Jewish Christians arrived, Peter withdrew himself from the Gentiles. Barnabas and the other Jews also joined him. Paul opposed Peter’s action directly and charged him of compromising God’s truth to match his companion’s belief.
If we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ alone, does it mean that we are exempted to observe the law? What Paul was saying was: The law cannot save us because we can never keep all the laws perfectly. That’s why God has provided a way of salvation that depends on Jesus Christ and not on our own efforts. Service, good deeds, and charitable giving can never substitute for faith.
Paul said: “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing” (vs. 20-21)
What Paul was saying was that our Christian life begins when we die to our old life by crucifying our sinful desires. But we also rise with Him and grow in Christ’s likeness by living a holy life with hope for the future. We can not be saved by being good or doing good. The cross is the only way to salvation.[:]