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Through the Bible with Les Feldick
LESSON 3 * PART 4 * BOOK 32
GALATIANS 1:15 - 2:9 - PART 2
The Church up in Antioch, which was up in Syria, has become predominately Gentile where Paul and Barnabas have now been laboring as well as moving out from Antioch into the Gentile world of Asia Minor and Greece. Now verse 6:
Galatians 2:6
Now I'm not being disrespectful of Peter and the eleven. Well in God's Divine purposes then as Israel kept slipping and slipping away in unbelief, then naturally Peter and the eleven and these Jewish leaders of Jerusalem were losing their clout. Well the Gentiles. So as the Jews are going dow, the Gentiles are coming up, and this is Paul's ministry. Looking at verse 6 again:
Galatians 2:6a
Let's begin with verse 32, and much the same thing has taken place in Chapter 2. Now it's these same apostles that Paul by inspiration of the Holy Spirit is led to say for our purposes:
Galatians 2:6
(so in God's view Peter was no greater than anybody else.) Now one more verse and we've got to go back to Acts Chapter 15.
Galatians 2:7
"But contrariwise, (or on the other hand) when they (the Twelve in particular) saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision (the Gentiles) was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision (Jew) was unto Peter;"
Israel! We've already looked at a few of the early verses in the chapter. "...Peter rose up and said unto them, `Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago (12 years) God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.'"
What's Peter referring to? Chapter 10 of Acts, the house of Cornelius. And you all remember that account. How that Peter and 6 other Jewish believers went up to the Gentile home of the Roman officer Cornelius. And while Peter hadn't even finished preaching, hadn't said a word yet about repenting and being baptized, what happened? The Holy Spirit came down and signified to those 7 Jews that those Gentiles had become believers. Without an invitation, without walking down an aisle, without repenting, without baptizing, all of a sudden Peter was just stopped in his tracks, and here these Gentiles are evidencing their salvation by faith, and faith alone.
It was not yet Paul's Gospel, but rather only that Jesus was the Christ, but they had believed it, and the Holy Spirit came upon those Gentiles evidenced with tongues, which was a manifestation that the Holy Spirit had come upon them. Now verse 43, and Peter is in the home of Cornelius. So Peter says:
Acts 10:43
Peter as yet does not know Paul's Gospel, but Peter does know that the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, the Son of God was the vehicle for salvation so he says) whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (he hasn't said a word about repenting, he hasn't said a word about baptizing. 44. While Peter yet spake these words, (he's still preaching and) the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. (why? 45. And they of the circumcision (remember there were six Jews that went with Peter) which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Come back to Chapter 2, and verse 38. Remember here Peter is speaking only to Jews.
Acts 2:36
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (then verse 38)
Acts 2:38
"Then Peter said unto them, (1) `Repent, and be (2) baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the (3) remission of sins, and ye shall receive the (4) gift of the Holy Ghost.'"
"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word."
Now come back to Acts Chapter 15 and this is what Peter is making reference to.
Now normally you would think that Peter and those six Jews saw what could happen if you would just approach Gentiles with the Gospel. Back to Jerusalem. Then Peter had to calm them down by saying in effect, "God showed us that He was in it." For 12 years there was not another mention of these Gentiles in the house of Cornelius being saved until now in Chapter 15. To come to Paul's defense in this counsel in Jerusalem. If Peter would not have remembered what had happened at the house of Cornelius, they never would have let Paul go back to Antioch with freedom to preach his Gospel. Now verse 8.
(Now Peter says in recollection, in realizing what God tried to show me-) 10.
II Peter 3:15-16a
I don't think Peter ever fully understood Paul's Gospel of Grace. Now let's finish the lesson with verse 9 of Galatians Chapter 2.
Galatians 2:9
"And when James, Cephas (Peter) 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, (Gentiles) and they unto the circumcision, (Jews).

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