Justification Part 2 Galatians Chapter 2

Justification is Yahweh's imputation of that righteousness which His righteousness rightly requires Him to require of us. Imputation simply means that Yahweh credited us with Yahshua Messiah impeccable righteousness the moment we trusted Him as our Saviour.

Since justification is solely by faith alone in Yahshua Messiah alone and by grace alone, should we not expect it to be challenged historically; that is, again and again as time goes by? Let me state that another way: if there is only one way for a man to be just before Yahweh, would you not expect challenges to that truth?

The Reformers believed and taught that we are justified by faith alone. Faith, they said, is the sole instrumental cause for our justification. By this they meant that we receive all the benefits of Yahshua Messiah’ work through putting our trust in Him alone.

In the beginning of this study, I wanted to demonstrate that Peter and the Eleven Apostles maintained a very narrow, narrow-minded view of the candidates who could be justified. They went to Jews, witnessed to Jews, and preached only to Jews. This went on for about ten years!  

Folks there are nothing new under the sun. Just as Paul had to fight off the deception in his day, we also must fight off the false teachings of today.

In this Part 2 of this study, I will focus on:
  A    Paul and his dealings with those false brethren as they attacked Titus and their concerns that Titus wasn’t circumcised.

THE PROBLEM: false brethren, unsaved Jewish legalist, sought in the church in Jerusalem to undermine the Gospel by insisting that Gentile believers be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses in order to be saved. Luke quotes them in Acts 15:1 as saying, "Except you be circumcised after (or in accord with) the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved."

THE FOCUS: Titus, a Greek (Gentile) believer and companion of Paul, upon whom the legalist sought to impose circumcision.

THE REAL ISSUE: The truth of the Gospel!

B   Peter at Antioch, when Peter seen the Jews, he basically threw the Gentile believers under the bus! On this occasion Paul had to set Peter straight.

THE PROBLEM: While in Antioch, Peter took his meals with Gentile believers. He ate what they ate… ham and eggs, pork chops and the like… until certain Jews, no doubt professing believers, arrived from Jerusalem, having been sent by James. Upon their arrival, Peter dishonestly separated himself from the Gentiles and became involved in further in hiding his feelings with them. Even Barnabas was drawn into their perverted practices and attitudes that were inconsistent with the truths associated with justification by faith. The text states that Peter like a chameleon adjusted his modesty because "he feared them which were of the circumcision." (v.12) Fear can make cowards of us all. 

THE FOCUS: Peter’s attitudes, his lifestyle, and his walk, along with the subtle emphases of the legalistic travelers from Jerusalem. 

THE CRITICAL ISSUE: "They walked not uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel." (v.14) In other words, their legalistic attitudes and practices were such that they subverted the truth of the Gospel, which in context is the truth of justification by faith alone in Yahshua Messiah alone plus nothing!  

  Have any questions? Feel free to email me; keitner2024@outlook.com