1Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. 3Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.
When I first read this passage I was thinking that Paul was talking about Acts 15 and the Jerusalem Council. But actually, since it was a private meeting, the reference is to Acts 11:27-30.
27During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. 30This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Paul and Barnabas, along with Titus, go to Jerusalem to deliver a financial gift from the church at Antioch. That in itself is pretty cool. The Antioch church hears that a famine is coming so their first response is to take up a collection of money for a group of believers who will suffer more than they will. Wow. Our first response is usually to hoard what we have not give to others in need. I am reminded of the ministry of Voice of the Martyrs and their care for believers in suffering. They have an Action Pack ministry that sends needed supplies to persecuted believers around the world. It is a good project to work on with your family (or you can join our senior saints ministry and send some out with us). http://www.persecution.com/actionpacks
When Paul and Barnabas arrive, the issue of circumcision comes up. Titus, a Gentile convert, had never been circumcised. Many Jewish “believers” insisted that circumcision was necessary for salvation. This is the main issue in Acts 15 too.
Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1)
The issue seems a little odd to us today but it was the first serious challenge to the gospel in the early church. What is necessary for salvation in Christ? Faith alone. Or faith plus circumcision. Faith plus anything changes the gospel. Faith plus baptism. Faith plus speaking in tongues. Faith plus the sacraments. Once we add to the gospel, we change it.
Paul lays the issue before the apostles. What is the good news? Is it For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast? Or is it something else?
The apostles agree that it is faith alone in Jesus Christ that makes a person right before God. When a person recognizes their sin, their bankruptcy before God, their powerlessness to save themselves, and calls upon the name of the Lord and receives Jesus Christ as their Savior, they are immediately adopted into the family of God. This is the good news! Salvation is a gift…not a series of pilgrimages and tasks and rituals that I must complete. I am not saved by works but by faith.
Lord, thank You for the gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ. May I never complicate the simplicity of Your gospel. May I share that good news with someone else today.
