How does Galatians 2:1 connect with Acts 15 regarding the Jerusalem Council? Setting the Scene • Paul recounts, “Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus along also” (Galatians 2:1). • Luke records, “Some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved’ … Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem” (Acts 15:1–2). • Both writers describe the same historic journey: a deliberate trip to Jerusalem to settle the question of Gentile salvation apart from circumcision. Galatians 2:1—Key Details • “Fourteen years” marks elapsed time since Paul’s conversion (cf. Galatians 1:18). • Traveling companions: Barnabas (Jewish believer) and Titus (uncircumcised Greek). • Purpose: to present the gospel Paul preached among the Gentiles (Galatians 2:2). • Setting: a private meeting “with those esteemed as leaders” (Galatians 2:2), later confirmed publicly (Galatians 2:9). Acts 15—Parallel Points • Same companions—Barnabas appears prominently (Acts 15:2,12). • Same theological issue—circumcision and the Mosaic Law (Acts 15:1,5). • Same audience—apostles and elders (Acts 15:4,6). • Same resolution—Gentiles are justified by faith alone, with no requirement of circumcision (Acts 15:19–20,24). • Same spirit of unity—“they gave us the right hand of fellowship” (Galatians 2:9 cf. Acts 15:25). Why These Passages Describe the Same Trip 1. Identical agenda: defend the gospel of grace for Gentiles. 2. Identical leadership meeting: Paul, Barnabas, and the Jerusalem apostles. 3. Identical outcome: freedom from circumcision for Gentile believers; only minimal guidelines (Galatians 2:3–5; Acts 15:28–29). 4. Timing harmony: Galatians lists only three Jerusalem visits (Galatians 1:18; 2:1; 2:11), matching Acts: conversion visit (Acts 9), famine relief (Acts 11:27–30, a brief visit not central to doctrine), and the Council (Acts 15). 5. Titus serves as living test case—his uncircumcised status proves the Council’s verdict (Galatians 2:3). Theological Significance • Validation of Paul’s gospel: the Jerusalem leaders add nothing (Galatians 2:6). • Preservation of truth: “so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you” (Galatians 2:5). • Unity without uniformity: Jewish and Gentile believers kept fellowship while honoring different cultural practices (Acts 15:20; Galatians 2:9). • Defense against legalism: any addition to faith in Christ for justification is “a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6–9). Lessons for Today • Scripture speaks with one voice; Paul and Luke corroborate each other. • Doctrinal disputes must be resolved by returning to the gospel’s core: salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). • Christian liberty is guarded when leaders submit to Scripture and the Spirit rather than cultural pressure. • Unity flourishes when believers prioritize the gospel over secondary issues (Philippians 1:27). |
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