Right Hand of Fellowship

Sermon Introduction

Paul brought Barnabas and Titus with him to visit the influential leaders in the Jerusalem church. Barnabas was a Jew and Titus a Gentile. Perhaps Paul tried to show how the team of different races could work together in reaching out to the Gentile world. Paul cited that the apostles did not require circumcision from Titus, which supported Paul’s position on the matter. However, Paul narrated that some tried to pressure them. But they remained steadfast and did not give in to their demands.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

Galatians 2:1-10 ESV

1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 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. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Notes

Paul brought Barnabas and Titus with him to visit the influential leaders in the Jerusalem church. Barnabas was a Jew and Titus a Gentile. Perhaps Paul tried to show how the team of different races could work together in reaching out to the Gentile world. Paul cited that the apostles did not require circumcision from Titus, which supported Paul’s position on the matter. However, Paul narrated that some tried to pressure them. But they remained steadfast and did not give in to their demands.

1. Nothing to Add
   Paul pointed out to the Galatians that the apostles added nothing to Paul’s gospel presentation (2:6). They did not add the requirements of the law, unlike the Judaizers. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.
   

2. Confirmed Apostle
   Paul explained that the apostles understood that God entrusted Paul with the mission to the Gentiles as Peter was to the Jew (2:7-8). Paul was much an apostle as Peter was, although they had different assignments.
   7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles),
   

3. Right Hand of Fellowship
   James, Peter, and John gave Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship (2:9-10). It meant they believed in the same gospel. Moreover, they perceived that God worked through Paul. They added a simple request about the poor.
   9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do

Application

1. Keep the Gospel Pure
   The apostles added nothing to the gospel. Like Paul, let us faithfully proclaim the gospel as revealed by God in Scripture. Paul wrote about the gospel. The apostles and their associates wrote about the gospel.

2. Confirmed Servants of God
   Let us beware of those who claim apostleship in the modern world. No preacher should contradict what the apostles of the first century confirmed as the gospel of Christ. Let us test every preacher according to Scripture.

3. Fellowship with Genuine Believers
   The leaders of the Jerusalem church gave Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship. The primary reason is that they believe in the same gospel. Thus, let us fellowship with those who believe in the same gospel.

Reflection & Discussion

1. What is the implication that the apostles added nothing to Paul?

2. Explain the similarities and difference between Peter and Paul.

3. Why did James, Peter, and John give Paul the right hand of fellowship?