Galatians 2:1-10 – Paul’s ministry authenticated

One setback in Paul’s ministry was the oppositions that he had to constantly face. His opponents were all the time seeking to discredit him. It should not be a surprise if they would now compare him with the other apostles and their messages, especially that of Peter. Hence, it became needful for him to have the affirmation by the key apostles in Jerusalem. So 14 years later he, together with Titus (a Greek) and Barnabas, took a second trip to Jerusalem. This trip was prompted by a revelation Paul had. We have no detail of the revelation, but it was not because Paul was summoned to meet them. 

In a private meeting in Jerusalem, Paul laid before the key apostles the Gospel he preached. The reason he did this was to ensure that his work was not futile. He was conscious that his opponents’ distorted teachings were disrupting and discrediting his message. Thus, the consultation was not to seek the apostles’ approval but their affirmation.

When he met them, the other apostles did not even force Titus to undergo circumcision though he was a Gentile. However, Paul did encounter some trouble with some false brethren who managed to sneak into the meeting to spy on their freedom. They did try to put them under bondage. But Paul and his companions stood firm and did not succumb to the pressure, for they wanted the Galatians to have only the very truth.

Knowing that God is impartial, Paul was not intimidated by those who held key positions in Jerusalem, for he was not beholden to them. The key leaders recognized that just as God assigned Peter to reach the Jews, He had assigned Paul to reach the Gentiles. And God’s power was effectively working through both their ministries. Recognizing the grace of God in Paul, the Apostles James, Peter and John, the pillars of the church at Jerusalem, took Paul and Barnabas into their fellowship. They endorsed Paul’s mission to the Gentiles. However, they only requested that the needs of the poor be remembered, which Paul himself was already concerned about. Paul’s trip to Jerusalem and his consultation with the key apostles affirmed the Gospel that he preached was the same one that James, Peter and John preached.

Paul was not afraid of opposition because he was confident that his message could stand the test of truth. Like him, when we have the truth, we are not ruffled, we confidently remain steadfast in God. We must seek to know and stand firm in the truth. We must seek to know the Lord and confidently stand our ground in Him.