Christ lives in me as I Live in faith (Galatians 2:20)

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

“Context” (Gal. 2:11-21)

• Paul lived by faith in Christ, the Son of God, and not by the works of the Law of Moses.

Peter’s Fear

• Gal 2:11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; Gal 2:12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. Fear seen must be dealt with!

• Faith is what enabled Paul to handle this situation scripturally.

Cephas “a pillar”

• Gal 2:9 … James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, Pillars (“a prop or support”) are recognized for strength.

• 1) Gal 2:4 …that they might bring us into bondage, See the Judiazers’ purpose.

• 2) Gal 2:5 …we did not yield submission … that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. Paul never wavered with a second thought.

• 3) Gal. 2:6 “seemed to be something,” The “pillars.” • 4) Gal. 2:6 “added nothing to me.” 2 Cor. 11:5.

“I withstood him to his face”

• Gal 2:11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; Peter is not a member of the church at Antioch; nor is he Pope Peter.

• One law, the Gospel, for all churches of Christ.• An apostle another apostle. • No partiality shown here for both Peter and

Paul were to preach the same gospel – Gal. 1:23-24, 2:7.

“because he was to be blamed”

• Gal 2:12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

• Gal 2:13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. And Barnabas was a veteran! (Acts 4:36; 11:22-6, etc.).

Faith lets God identify who is the sinner and who is not

Context – Negative but still positive.Paul used strong language!

Biblical Identities: “fear” (Gal. 2:12)

• “fearing those who were of the circumcision” This “fear” is not faith in Christ but willingness to identify it is!

“Circumcision” plays major role in the book of Galatians:

• Serving their own convenience: Gal. 6:12 …only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. Ashamed of the Gospel!

• Gal 5:11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. They’ll change you to get rid of their fear!

• Exposing false motives: Gal 6:13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. Can brag about adding numbers for the Jews in error.

• Court you so you seek them: Gal. 4:17-18. Their own benefit is you seek them!

• Christ will profit you nothing: Gal. 5:2-4.

Biblical Identities: “hypocrites” (Gal. 2:13)

• He was to be blamed — “His act at one time condemning his contrary acting at another time.” Hypocrisy isn’t faith but willingness to identify it is!

• “the rest of the Jews…even Barnabas” The group is divided.

“they were not straightforward about the truth of the Gospel” (Gal. 2:14-16)

• “Get behind Me, Satan!” (Matt. 16:23) Peter formerly was called “Satan” because was mindful of the things of men not the things of God. Peter was an offense to Christ; he wanted an earthly kingdom with earthly riches (cf. Matt.16:19 “keys of the kingdom”); thought “gain” was the world (Matt. 16:26).

• Is Barnabas a “son of encouragement” now? • Gal. 1:8-9 Peter is here now temporarily.

This Disgusting Theory: Christ Put Me In A Position of Sin

Disgusting: Is Christ a minister of Sin? (vs. 17)Certainly not!

Certainly not: I rebuild again things I destroyed; I prove (make) myself a transgressor (vs. 18) – Peter is a promoter of sin!

1. It has to be one or the other; If I am right now I was wrong then, Paul says (Gal. 2:18). 2. “I make myself a transgressor” Only one way out; back to faith in Christ!

Biblical Identities: “foolishness”

• Paul said, “O foolish Galatians!” (Gal. 3:1). Were they? Foolishness isn’t faith but identifying it is! “Bewitched” and led into false doctrine.

• If the words are too negative for members of the church what direction are they headed?

A reply from one who objected to the use of such “negative” words

• I don’t think these words should be used even if they are in the Bible.

• “Words” given to convert and protect against false doctrines and immoralities are being used against doing such!

Faith ties today’s “contending”

• Faith is what enabled Paul to handle this situation scripturally (Gal. 2:12-21).

Faith ties to the future

• Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Here “hope” is expectation / faith and such is exercised towards the future.

Faith ties to the near future

• Rom 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

• (Hope, 24-25; God’s help, 26-27; God’s Plan in Christ, 30; Calling through the gospel, 30; Justification, 30; “glorified” in Heaven, 30; Freely give us all things, 32; Christ as our mediator, 34.

• This world is not our friend! I Jo. 5:19.

Faith ties to distant future

• For Peter: • Joh 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou

wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

• Joh 21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Peter got this right

• 1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

• 1Pe 5:9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Faith ties to receiving the “end of your faith”

• 1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

• 1Pe 1:7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

• 1Pe 1:8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, Fits definition of faith in Heb. 11:1.

• 1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith – the salvation of your souls. Must believe this (cf. Heb. 11:6).

Faith in Christ does not endorse one as “saved” who rejects the Gospel.

• Jesus: Mar 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mar 16:16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

• Ananias to Paul: Acts 22:16 ‘And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

• Peter: Act 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”