"Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.” vs1-2

Paul wanted to make sure that Jerusalem was in order, so he brought the gospel privately to the leaders first. In Acts 15, teachers came from Judea to plague the church, teaching that you had to keep the law to be saved. Thus, faith in Christ is insufficient. Paul withstood these men like a lion and brought the gospel to Peter, James, and John, hoping that they too would cast off these false teachers and establish true doctrine. They did, they yielded, and the false teachers were defeated [Acts 15:7-21].

First, we need more of this gumption: Men who stand for the truth and preach it, fearing no man’s face or favor. We have been established in the true gospel, and we must hold onto it; it is grace, grace, grace. Grace in forgiveness, grace in acceptance, and grace in the gift of the Spirit. The gospel is all God giving freely. Any other gospel is a damnable lie, brought in by false brethren, who must be opposed. Gal 2:5, “to whom we did not yield in subjection for even an hour, so that truth of the gospel would be preserved with you.”

Secondly, Paul didn’t care who Peter, James, and John were, because God shows no favoritism! Gal 2:6, “But as for the highly esteemed—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—those leaders added nothing to me.” He accepts no man’s face [Acts 10:34-35]. Those that do righteousness are rewarded, while evil doers are punished. Paul, likewise, didn’t care who they were: he had a gospel to preach, and he did it WITHOUT COMPROMISE, knowing that if the truth leaves, then there’s nothing left but bondage… and God is not pleased, and He will not bless us! The Spirit will be withheld, we’ll toil in fleshly, and horrible bondage will be the reward of self-strength. Joy will give way to self-righteousness, and love will be thrown to the ground. Human flesh will exalt itself, Christ will be hidden, and bloodless sermons will breed pride and utter hypocrisy. No, the gospel is worth fighting for, no matter who is offended.

Thirdly, Paul was filled with love! He didn’t just preach the gospel, but he lived the gospel. He gave to the poor in harmony with Peter’s request, because he loved poor saints too. Gal 2:9-10, “And having recognized the grace having been given to me, James and Cephas and John, those esteemed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, but they to the circumcision, only that we should be mindful of the poor, also the same thing that I was eager to do.” Therefore, he taught the Gentiles to give to the Jews, when famine came upon Judea. Rom 15:26-27, “For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings.” Indeed, every man ought to work for his bread, but it is right for brothers to help one another and to love tangibly [1 John 3:18]!

Paul was a man of practical religion, and he taught godliness [1 Timothy]. He was not just talk, but he also got down to good works, proving that he was real. He taught us how to support the poor widows, and that the man who doesn’t work, doesn’t eat [2 Thess 3:10]. He is worse than an infidel, if he refuses to be corrected.

Finally, these good things of the gospel must be preached. We have bold liberty, love for each other, and we have tangible deeds. We are lions for the gospel and gentle with people without compromising principles of grace. It’s beautiful to see Peter and James give Paul the right hand of fellowship [vs9]! They didn’t seek dominion over him. They recognized God’s grace and encouraged him! We need more of this today: Brothers laboring together as one, recognizing different gifts and different callings.