Galatians:2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me Galatians 2:11-21 Many of us dont seem to learn a lesson the first time. This seems to be the case with the apostle Peter, who still had trouble accepting differences in Gentile eating customs even after the Lord had given him a vision saying, Do not call anything impure that God has made clean. (Acts 10:15). When Peter separated himself from Gentile Christians, Paul recognized that he was failing to live wisely in light of the gospel (v14). Peters refusal to eat with them made an implicit statement... Gentile believers are not equals. Paul understood that Peter was, in effect, denying the heart and power of the gospel message. By refusing to eat with the Gentile converts Peter was essentially saying that the justification God had granted to Gentiles as a result of their anointing in the spirit was of no effect, for until they adopted the practices of the Jewish Law, they were not fully equal members of Jesus church. To Pauls dismay, even Peter, one of the original disciples, failed to grasp the meaning of the gospel. One of the benefits of this unfortunate conflict is that we get to see what Paul says about wise gospel living. In response to Peter, Paul argues that the Law has reached its fulfillment in the crucifixion of Christ. Peter, as a spirit filled believer in Jesus, agrees with Paul that justification (that is, being declared righteous) comes only through faith in Christ, not through the Law (v15,16, 21). Yet the implication of this is that one also dies to the Law (v19). Pauls point is this: everyone who obeys the gospel commandments of Christ has in effect been crucified with Jesus. Such a one has died with Christ to the Law. This inclusion in the death of Jesus implies that one is also included in His resurrection to new life. As a result of Jesus death and resurrection, justification is available, by faith, for those who belong to Christ. As Peter established at Pentecost... repent, be baptized in water and receive the anointing of the Spirit, the same anointing that jesus received. Act2:38, Mat3:11-17
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 12:04:34 +0000
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