Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Acts 15 The Jerusalem Council. Sort by date Show all posts

Monday, July 13, 2026

Life of Paul - Paul's Arrival & Arrest in Jerusalem = July 10

Paul's Arrival & Arrest in Jerusalem

Series on the Life of Paul

Possible Date: 58 A. D.

Scripture: Acts 21:17-22:21

NOTE:

#Paul

#Apostle Paul

#Jerusalem

   The prophecy of Agabus is soon to be fulfilled. Upon his return to Jerusalem, Paul now finds himself being arrested and attacked by local Jews who have been stirred up by certain men from Asia. Fortunately, however, Paul is rescued by Roman soldiers acting under Claudius Lysias, the local Roman commander. The historical record sets forth Paul's attempt to defend himself before a mob that is demanding his death and indicates a fair reception to his discourse until he mentions being God's messenger to the Gentiles. The angry crowd's reaction to that assertion forces Claudius Lysias to take Paul into protective custody.
  On the following day, the record reveals that Paul is put on trial before the Sanhedrin Council, in much the same way that Jesus himself had been tried years earlier. By referring to his own heritage as a Pharisee, and to his belief in a resurrection after death, Paul skillfully sets the Pharisees in controversy against the Sadducees, who do not believe in a resurrection. In the debate which ensues, no charges are brought, and Paul is returned to custody. When a plot to kill Paul is uncovered, Paul is secretly taken away by night to Caesarea, where he will later be brought before the governor, Felix.
  Now, as Luke records Paul's arrival in Jerusalem before his arrest, an effort is made by James and the elders at Jerusalem to calm the anxiety of Jewish Christians, who are uncertain about Paul's teaching.

Paul’s Arrival & Arrest In Jerusalem

INTRODUCTION

Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem must have been with some joyful anticipation...

He had been in a hurry to get there for the Day of Pentecost - Acts 20:16
He had been delayed right at the last moment, having to wait in Tyre and then Caesarea - Acts 21:3-4,7-10 ...for he was accompanying a contribution for needy Christians in Jerusalem - Romans 15:25-27

His arrival must have also been with anxious expectations...

He knew that chains awaited him in Jerusalem - Acts 20:22, 23
He knew that he would be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles - Acts 21:10-11 ...yet he was willing not only to be bound, but die for the name of Jesus - Acts 20:24; 21:12-14

[With such mixed emotions in his heart, then, we read of...]

PAUL’S ARRIVAL IN JERUSALEM

A. HIS RECEPTION BY THE CHURCH...

The brethren receive him and his companions gladly - Acts 21:17
On the next day, he and his companions visit James and the elders - Acts 21:18-21

He details what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry
They glorify the Lord when they hear this news
They tell Paul what thousands of Jewish Christians have heard about him

That he teaches the Jews among the Gentiles to forsake Moses
That he teaches them not to circumcise their children, nor to keep the customs

They counsel Paul in view of these things - Acts 21:22-25

To be purified along with four men who have taken a vow (likely the Nazarite vow, cf. Numbers 6:1-12)
To pay their expenses at the completion of the vow
To thereby reassure Jewish Christians...

That what they have heard is false
That Paul himself was willing to keep the Law
That Gentiles were not required to do so, but to keep the ordinances from the conference in Jerusalem - cf. Acts 15:20,29

B. HIS INVOLVEMENT WITH THE VOW...

Paul agrees and the next day enters the temple with the four men - Acts 21:26

Having been purified with them
To announce the date on which the days of purification would end and offerings would be made for each of them - cf. Numbers 6:13-20

There are three views concerning Paul’s involvement with this vow

Paul acted ignorantly, not aware that the Law of Moses was no longer binding

Unlikely, since Paul preached “the whole counsel of God” - Acts 20:27
Unlikely, since Paul had already penned Romans, 1st & 2nd Corinthians, and Galatians, which clearly reveal Paul was not ignorant

Paul acted hypocritically, like Peter did at Antioch - cf. Galatians 2:11-13

Unlikely, since Paul had endured so much mistreatment already
Unlikely, since Paul was willing to be bound and die for Christ

Paul acted consistently, with what he actually taught (which is my view)

The Law was no longer in force - cf. Romans 7:1-6; Galatians 3:24-25
Anyone seeking to be justified by the Law was fallen from grace - Galatians 5:4
Yet a Jewish Christian (like Paul ) could observe the customs of the Law - cf. Acts 18:18; 1 Corinthians 9:20
A Jewish Christian could observe elements of the Law provided:

He did not do so seeking justification & salvation, for that comes only through the sacrifice of Christ
He did not bind it upon others, especially Gentiles who were never under the Law of Moses

[It was this effort to reassure misinformed brethren that led to...]

PAUL’S ARREST IN JERUSALEM

A. HIS ARREST IN THE TEMPLE...

Prompted by Jews from Asia - Acts 21:27-30

Who stirred up a mob to seize Paul, accusing him:

Of the same things the brethren had heard - cf. Acts 21:21
Of bringing a Gentile into the temple (a false presumption)

Who dragged Paul out of the temple

Rescued from death by the Roman commander - Acts 21:31-36

The news came to the commander as they were seeking to kill Paul
The crowd stops beating Paul when they see the commander along with soldiers and centurions
After binding Paul with chains, the commander is unable to determine why people are so upset with Paul
Paul is commanded to be sent to the barracks

B. HIS ADDRESS TO THE JERUSALEM MOB...

Permission obtained from the Roman commander - Acts 21:37-40

Paul seeks to speak with the commander, who is surprised Paul speaks Greek
Paul identifies himself as a Jew from Tarsus
With permission, Paul begins to speak to the mob in Hebrew

Paul’s defense to the Jerusalem mob - Acts 22:1-21

He reviews his early life - Acts 22:1-5

His birth in Tarsus, and religious training in Jerusalem
His persecution of the church

He relates the circumstances of his conversion - Acts 22:6-16

Recorded by Luke in Acts 9:1-19
Recounted again by Paul in Acts 26:12-18

He refers to a vision on an earlier visit to Jerusalem - Acts 22:17-21

In which the Lord told him to flee Jerusalem
In which the Lord told him to go to the Gentiles

C. HIS APPEAL TO HIS ROMAN CITIZENSHIP...

The enraged mob call for Paul’s death - Acts 22:22-23

Angry at his mention of the Gentiles
Tearing their clothes and casting dust into the air

The Roman commander prepares to scourge Paul - Acts 22:24

Paul is ordered back into the barracks
To learn why the people are so angry

Paul is spared because of his Roman citizenship - Acts 22:25-30

As he is about to be scourged, Paul tells the centurion he is a Roman
The commander, learning Paul was born a Roman citizen, is afraid for having put him in bonds
The next day, Paul is brought to appear before the council, that the commander might learn why Paul was being accused by the Jews

D. HIS ADDRESS TO THE SANHEDRIN COUNCIL...

Paul claims a clear conscience - Acts 23:1
This angers Ananias the High Priest, who has Paul struck - Acts 23:2-5
Seeing the council is divided between Sadducees and Pharisees, Paul identifies himself as a Pharisee - Acts 23:6; cf. Philippians 3:5
A dispute arises between the Sadducees and the Pharisees, with the latter defending Paul - Acts 23:7-9
Fearing for Paul’s life, the commander returns him to the barracks - Acts 23:10

E. HIS ESCAPE FROM A PLOT TO KILL HIM...

The Lord reassures Paul that he will bear witness in Rome - Acts 23:11
Forty Jews bind themselves under an oath to kill Paul, and a plot is formed with the chief priests and elders - Acts 23:12-15
Paul’s nephew hears of the plot, and is sent by Paul to the commander - Acts 23:16-22
The Roman commander, Claudius Lysias, prepares an armed guard and a letter to accompany Paul to Felix the governor - Acts 23:23-30
Paul safely arrives in Caesarea, and is presented to the governor - Acts 23:31-33

SUMMARY OF PAUL’S TIME IN JERUSALEM

Paul’s time in Jerusalem must have been disappointing...

He had been in Jerusalem hardly a week
He was likely sent away before the Day of Pentecost - cf. Acts 20:16

But the Lord had given him reason to rejoice, for he was going to Rome! - cf. Acts 23:11

Something he had wanted to do - cf. Acts 19:21; Romans 1:9-11,15; 15:23-29
Something he had asked brothers and sisters to pray for - cf. Romans 15:30-32

3. The Lord had answered the first part of his request (deliverance from those in Judea who did not believe, Romans 15:31), and would answer the second part (go to Rome, Romans 15:32), though not as soon or in quite the manner Paul might have expected!

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

Other Resources:

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Life of Paul - Paul's Arguments, Compromise, Coming to Unity

Paul's Arguments and Compromise

Series on the Life of Paul

Possible Date: 48-50 A.D.

Scripture: Acts 15:1-35

NOTE:

#Paul

#Apostle Paul

#Jerusalem Conference / Council

THE CONFERENCE IN JERUSALEM

PRELIMINARY MEETINGS...
1. A formal reception by the church
  1. Paul’s party was received by the church, the apostles, and the elders - Acts 15:4
  2. To whom Paul reported all that God had done with them - Acts 15:4; cf. 14:27
2. A private meeting with some who were “of reputation”
  1. In which Paul explained the gospel which he preached - Galatians 2:1-2
  2. Some false brethren tried to compel Titus (a Gentile) to be circumcised, which Paul refused - Galatians 2:3-6; cf. Acts 15:5
  3. James, Peter, and John commended Paul for his work among the Gentiles - Galatians 2:7-10
THE PUBLIC MEETING...
1. The speech of Peter - Acts 15:6-11
  1. How God selected him to be the first to preach to the Gentiles - cf. Acts 10:1-43
  2. How God bore witness to their acceptability by giving them the Spirit - cf. Acts 10:44-48; 11:15-18
  3. That God purified them through faith, just as He did the Jews
  4. That they should not test God, by placing a burden on the Gentiles which they themselves could not bear
  5. That God will save the Jews in the same way, through the grace of the Lord Jesus
2. The testimony of Paul and Barnabas - Acts 15:12
  1. How God did many miracles and wonders through them among the Gentiles
  2. Which the multitude listened to quietly
3. The counsel of James - Acts 15:13-21
  1. Reminding them of what Simon (Peter) had just said
  2. Reminding them of the Old Testament prophecy of Amos - Amos 9:11-12
  3. Offering his judgment:
    1. Not to trouble the Gentiles who were turning to God
    2. But asking them to abstain from:
      - Things polluted by idols (i.e., meats offered to idols)
      - Sexual immorality
      - Things strangled
      - Blood -- This would go a long way in keeping the peace between Jewish and Gentile converts
HE LETTER TO BE SENT...
1. The idea pleased the apostles, elders, and the whole church - Acts 15:22a
2. Selected to accompany Paul and Barnabas along with the letter to Antioch were Judas named Barnabas and Silas - Acts 15:22b
3. A copy of this letter is preserved by Luke. (Acts 15:23-29)
4. In which those who caused the trouble are identified as doing so without any authority from those in Jerusalem - Acts 15:24

[So the conference in Jerusalem ends on a very positive note. But while the issue of Gentiles was solved doctrinally, in practice it would not be as easily resolved. This becomes evident from what happens after…]

THE RETURN TO ANTIOCH OF SYRIA

A HAPPY RETURN...
1. Paul and his companions return to Antioch and deliver the letter - Acts 15:30
2. The multitude rejoice over its encouragement - Acts 15:31
3. Judas and Silas exhort the brethren with many words - Acts 15:32-34
  1. Judas eventually returned to the apostles in Jerusalem
  2. Silas stayed in Antioch, later joining Paul on his travels - cf. Acts 15:40
4. Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching - Acts 15:35
AN UNHAPPY VISIT...
1. Peter comes to Antioch - Galatians 2:11a
2. Paul had to withstand Peter - Galatians 2:11b-21
  1. For at first Peter would eat with the Gentiles
  2. But when some came from James, Peter separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision (i.e., Jewish brethren)
  3. Even Barnabas was carried away by this hypocrisy
  4. Requiring Paul to rebuke Peter before them all
3. Peter would not hold this against Paul, later referring to him as “our beloved brother Paul” - 2 Peter 3:15

CONCLUSION

Paul's unpleasant visit and necessary rebuke of Peter simply illustrate the great challenge faced by the church in its infancy...
1. The challenge of transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant
2. The challenge of accepting into the church those who were considered “unclean” for over a thousand years
But it was a challenge that was overcome, in large part due to the apostle Paul...
1. A Hebrew of the Hebrews, but also an apostle to the Gentiles
2. Whom God used to help bridge Jews and Gentiles together
  1. To fulfill what Jesus died to accomplish on the cross
  2. To bring peace between Jew and Gentile, making one new body - cf. Ephesians 2:11-16

After some time in Antioch, Paul began to wonder about the brethren who were converted on the first missionary journey (Acts 15:36). Paul will later decide he must return and mature the disciples more.

In the meantime, I hope this study reminds those who are Gentiles how blessed we are to be able to come into fellowship with God and His people. Have we let Jesus add us to His body, the church? - cf. Acts 2:41,47

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

Other Resources:

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Galatians 2:1-10

Never Give In

Paul’s Apostleship Recognized In Jerusalem, 2:1-10

Synopsis: Fourteen years after the first Jerusalem visit, Paul went to Jerusalem and took Barnabas and Titus with him. He met privately with the leaders of the church. He told them what he had been preaching. The apostles and elders of the church in Jerusalem gave Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship. Titus, who was a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised. There was no yielding to those who would pervert the gospel. It was agreed Paul should go to the Gentiles with the gospel. They urged Paul to remember the poor, which he readily agreed to do.

Situation

The non-Jewish Galatians had put their faith in Christ, but were subsequently being told that they must adhere to Jewish laws to insure God’s approval. Paul has admonished the Galatians for turning away from the truth of the gospel. The truth they originally embraced, and then rejected, came from his lips! So Paul pointed out in chapter 1 that he got this truth from God Himself, not from human authorities. To underscore the authority of his message, Paul describes his contacts with those in the early church recognized as authorities. (LCS, 37)

Central Idea

Paul steadfastly defends the freedoms found in Christ by establishing the authority for the gospel he preaches and his calling as an apostle. When confronted by false teachers, Paul did not give in.

What We Learn About James, Peter, and John in Galatians

Peter, an apostle in Jerusalem, and James, the Lord’s brother, met Paul three years after Paul’s conversion (1:18-19). Peter is the preacher and apostle to the Jews (2:7-8). James, Peter, and John are pillars of the church (2:9). Peter came to Antioch and erroneously withdrew from Gentile Christians; his hypocrisy drew others into error with him (3:11-13). Peter was confronted by Paul on his hypocritical view (3:14f.).

Introduction(s)

WBC (61) – In his account of his [second] visit to Jerusalem after becoming a Christian, Paul lays emphasis on the following points (1) that there are no gaps in his narration of visits to Jerusalem, contrary to what the Judaizers of Galatia might have claimed; (2) that it was not until fourteen years after his conversion that he met with the body of apostles and leaders at Jerusalem, which hardly supports any claim for his dependence on them; (3) that his going to Jerusalem was in response to a divine revelation, not at the request of the Jerusalem apostles or to submit himself to them; (4) that the Jerusalem apostles accepted the validity of his Gentile mission, viewing it as parallel to their own Jewish mission; and (5) that the Jerusalem apostles asked only that the needs and circumstances of the Jerusalem church be kept in mind in any outreach to Gentiles. As Paul saw it, the “false brothers” of Jerusalem and the Judaizers of Galatia had the same agenda and a similar program, and so his addressees could learn from how he handled the former as to how they ought to respond to the latter. In both cases, however, their assertions were invalid. For though there were, indeed, differences between Paul and the Jerusalem apostles, principally as to the logistics of their respective missions, they were at one in the essentials of the gospel.

NICNT (104) – The events of Paul’s second post-conversion visit to Jerusalem, like the events of his life both before and after his call by God, substantiate his claim that he received both his gospel and his apostleship directly from the risen Lord. If the earlier set of events supports this by showing that there was never a time when he was in a position to have derived his gospel and apostolic commission from the Jerusalem leaders, the events of the second visit support it by showing the full recognition given by those leaders to the gospel and apostolic office which already were his prior to the meeting of the two... A third major support will be furnished by the Antioch incident (2:11-21).

NBC – There is good reason to believe that Paul is responding to a charge from the Judaizers that may have gone something like this: ‘Paul at one point in his ministry was required to attend a meeting in Jerusalem, submit in private to the Three (James, Peter and John), and agree to obey their instructions, as is proven by his willingness to collect funds for the Christians in Judea.’ If so, Paul may be dealing with this incident, not because he feels some obligation to record every contact he had with the Jerusalem apostles …, but rather because his opponents had brought it up and misused it. In other words, Paul needs to set the record straight.

Inspiration

Christians … need to understand that there can be differences among true believers, and that such differences—particularly when involving differing understandings of redemptive logistics or differences of culture—need not tear us apart. Indeed, where there exists a basic agreement in the essentials of the gospel, Gal 2:1–10 sets before us a prototype of mutual recognition and concern for one another, despite our differences. It teaches us, in fact, something of how to distinguish between things that really matter and things of lesser importance…, where to stand firm and where to concede, and even when to defy people and pressures and when to shake hands and reciprocate with expressions of mutual concern. (WBC, 62)

OPEN:

Are you the type of person who usually "goes with the crowd" or "does your own thing"?

DIG:

The "false brothers" had caused some believers to become "slaves" (Galatians 2:4). To what?
What was the outcome of this meeting? What did the leaders add to Paul's message (Galatians 2:6)?
What did the spiritual "pillars" of the Jerusalem church recognize about Paul (Galatians 2:9)?
How is grace the critical issue of Galatians, and this passage in particular?
How does caring for the poor (Galatians 2:10) relate to proclaiming the Gospel of grace?

REFLECT:

How do you feel when your beliefs are contrary to popular opinion? On what issue do you need to stand alone? How much was at stake for Paul, and for you now?

Text Notes, Applications, and Questions

1 Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas taking Titus also with me.

Paul has already shown that his apostleship came from Jesus, not men; he proved his apostleship was fully endorsed by the other apostles.

Fourteen years (1)

The “fourteen years” here probably refers to his previous visit to Jerusalem, about three years after his conversion; if the Council met around A.D. 48, Paul’s conversion may have occurred around A.D. 31, within perhaps a year of Jesus’ resurrection. (BBC, 522)
It is possible, though not certain, that Paul here means fourteen years after his first visit; but he could mean fourteen years after his conversion. Either way represents a considerable lapse of time. … There is no question about the gospel that he preaches being fully developed. (TNTC, 99)

Paul referred to the trip to Jerusalem fourteen years after he was converted. This was the same trip that was described in Acts 15. Paul did not say he went up the second time to Jerusalem. He said I went up again. This expression allowed the second visit which was recorded in Acts 11:30. The purpose of the second visit was to take help to the needy saints in Jerusalem. The purpose of the third visit was to settle the problem of circumcision and the binding of the law of Moses on the Gentile converts (Acts 15). The visit Paul described here agreed with Acts 15 both in purpose and in the chronology of Paul’s life. Paul took Barnabas with him (Acts 15:2). This trip to Jerusalem was after the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas. They returned to Antioch to report to the church at the close of the first missionary journey. Paul took Titus to Jerusalem as the statement “and certain others of them” in Acts 15:2 allows. For some reason Titus was never mentioned in Acts though other references show he was with Paul at various times (II Corinthians 2:13; 7:6, 13, 14; 8:6, 16, 23; 12:18; II Timothy 4:10; Titus 1:4). Titus was a Greek. He had no Jewish blood. Titus was a test case as to whether circumcision would be bound upon him and all Gentiles. Paul had the gospel by revelation from Jesus; however, it was important for the cause of Christ for the church to know the apostles were in full agreement on this point.

2 And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain.

Acts 15:2 states the church in Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem. In addition, Paul received a revelation from the Lord to go up to Jerusalem. This revelation was not recorded in Acts 15. How this revelation was made to Paul was not given; however, Paul brought the revelation from Jesus to their attention to show it was the Lord’s will for him to go to Jerusalem at this time. When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he met with the leaders of the church and the apostles. Paul presented the gospel he had been preaching (Acts 15:4, 12). Paul preached salvation was given to all men through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Anyone who believed and obeyed the gospel would be saved. It was not necessary to be circumcised or to obey the law of Moses. Them who were of repute referred to Peter, James and John. Paul was not putting down the leaders of the church in Jerusalem. He used the language of those who opposed him and were accustomed to quote them in this way. Paul compared what he preached with what the apostles preached. Both Paul and the apostles had received their revelation from the Lord. There was only one truth, one gospel (Ephesians 4:5). They were in full agreement. All men need to learn this lesson today.

3 But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

Paul took Titus with him as a test case. Titus was a Gentile. Paul believed Titus should not be circumcised. To demand circumcision for Titus would be to bind the law of Moses to the gospel and thus pervert the gospel. The apostles and elders agreed with Paul. The law had been "nailed" to the cross. The law of Moses is not binding in the Christian age (Colossians 2:14-17). One must believe and obey the gospel to be saved. One does not have to keep the law of Moses in addition to the gospel to be saved. The law must not be bound upon Christians.

4 and that because of the false brethren privately brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

The only ones who attempted to have Titus circumcised were the Judaizing teachers whom Paul referred to as false brethren because they had added to the gospel. It was the purpose of the Judaizing teachers to bind the law of Moses on Christians and thus make an unbearable bondage (Acts 15:10).

5 to whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Paul did not yield to the pressure of the Judaizing teachers at any time during his stay in Jerusalem. If Paul had yielded, he would have compromised the truth. Paul wanted the truth of the gospel to remain in its purity. The gospel must remain pure to be effective. The same principle is true today.

6 But from those who were reputed to be somewhat (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter of me: God accepteth not man’s person) - they, I say, who were of repute imparted nothing to me:

The leaders of the church in Jerusalem did not give Paul any new truth or seek to impose any thing else on him. The elders and apostles were in full agreement with the gospel that he preached. Paul referred to those who were reputed to be somewhat. Peter, James and John did not make this claim; however, the Judaizing teachers used this language to put Paul down. Paul did not accept their insinuations.

7 but contrariwise, when they saw that I had been invested with the gospel of the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the gospel of the circumcision

When Paul related what he and Barnabas had been preaching to the Gentiles and the signs which God performed (Acts 15:4, 12), the leaders and the church in Jerusalem realized that Paul was an apostle commissioned to take the gospel to the Gentiles just as Peter was commissioned to take the gospel to the Jews. Paul and the other apostles stood on equal ground with the same gospel.

8 (for he that wrought for Peter unto the apostleship of the circumcision wrought for me also unto the Gentiles):

There was one God, one Lord and one gospel (Ephesians 4-6). God was working through both Peter and Paul to reach both the Jews and the Gentiles.

9 and when they perceived the grace that was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision;

When Peter, James and John realized God was working through Paul in the same way he was working through them with exactly the same gospel, they gave Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship. "Clasped right hands" was the sign of friendship and trust. It was a sign of mutual agreement and acknowledgment that was a staggering blow to the Judaizers and a vote of confidence for Paul. The leaders of the church in Jerusalem recognized Paul was preaching the same gospel they preached. That Paul would preach to the Gentiles was a matter of priority, not of exclusiveness. Paul still went to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles (Romans 1:16). Peter, James and John preached to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews.

10 only they would that we should remember the poor; which very thing I was also zealous to do.

The leaders and the church in Jerusalem and Paul were agreed and united. They urged Paul to continue to remember the poor. Paul had brought a contribution to the poor on his second visit to Jerusalem (Acts 11:27-30). Paul was eager to remember the poor. This epistle was written on the second missionary journey. Paul remembered the poor by collecting a contribution to take to the poor saints in Jerusalem on the third missionary journey (Romans 15:26, 27; Acts 24:16; II Corinthians 8 and 9). The teachings of Jesus emphasized helping the poor (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:36; Luke 21:1-4; John 13:29; Galatians 6:2). II Corinthians 8:9 is a great passage on this virtue.

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Galatians Introduction

Letter to the Galatians

Although there is no consensus on the matter, it appears that while Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch, Paul may have written his letter to the Galatian Christians, among whom he and Barnabas had worked during their recent travels to Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. If this assumption is correct, the letter would have been written about A.D. 50, shortly following the Jerusalem conference. The subject of Paul's letter parallels that of the conference itself, which pertained to the problems created by those Jewish Christians who were insisting that Gentile converts submit to the rite of circumcision and observe other rituals to which the Jews were accustomed. Again, the real issue is undoubtedly the contention by the Judaizers that Christians should be required to continue obeying the Law of Moses. In his letter, Paul strongly defends the Christian's freedom from the law, and proclaims the new covenant relationship which Christians have through God's grace.

Paul begins this letter by defending his own apostleship, which apparently has been questioned by the Judaizers in Galatia in their attempt to discredit Paul's teaching. The main thrust of his defense is that he did not receive his gospel from the other apostles. As proof, he carefully outlines his limited contact with the apostles in Jerusalem. (The one contact to which Paul makes no reference is his brief trip to Jerusalem to deliver the gift from the brethren in Antioch.) Paul urges that, as a specially chosen apostle, he received directly from God the good news of freedom in Christ.

INTRODUCTION

AUTHORSHIP

Paul is the author of the epistle of Galatians (Galatians 1:1). The early church was unanimous in its teaching that Paul was the author of this epistle. Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian all agree Paul wrote this epistle.

DATE OF WRITING

This epistle is the most difficult to date of all of Paul’s epistles. The suggested dates range from A.D. 49 to A.D. 63. There is not much internal evidence to date the epistle.

The most crucial factor in dating the letter to the Galatians is the relationship between the journey of Paul to Jerusalem mentioned in Gal. 2:1 and the Jerusalem Council mentioned in Acts 15 (see “Conference in Jerusalem” at Acts 15:1). If the decision of the council in Acts 15 had been common knowledge when the letter was written, Paul would surely have used the council’s decision in defense of Gentile freedom and especially in his rebuke of Peter (Gal. 2:11–13). It is, therefore, possible that Galatians is Paul’s earliest letter, and was written by A.D. 49 just prior to the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15. Those who associate Paul’s account in Gal. 2:1–10 with the Jerusalem visit mentioned in Acts 18:22 date this letter to about A.D. 53, and thus after the Thessalonian letters.

In studying the epistle of Galatians and the life of Paul, it would appear Paul wrote the epistle of Galatians on his second missionary journey. If this is so, it would have been written around A.D. 52. One must not be dogmatic in dating this epistle.

PLACE OF WRITING

Since the exact time of the writing of the epistle to the Galatians is uncertain, it is difficult to determine the place from where it was written. If it were written on Paul’s second missionary journey, it may have been written from Corinth after Paul had written First and Second Thessalonians.

PURPOSE OF WRITING

Judaizing teachers were in the churches in Galatia. The Judaizing teachers were Jewish Christians who taught that Gentile Christians needed to be circumcised and to keep the law of Moses in addition to the Christian teachings. After the first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas had gone to Jerusalem and discussed this issue with the elders of the church in Jerusalem and the twelve apostles (Acts 15). Paul understood that the law of Moses had been "nailed" to the cross and taken out of the way (Colossians 2:14-17). Christians are no longer under the law of Moses. They are not required to be circumcised or to keep the ordinances of the law. Paul reported at the Jerusalem conference that they had converted many Gentiles on their journey. These Gentile Christians had believed in Jesus, repented of their sins, confessed their faith in Christ and had been baptized by immersion for the remission of their sins. They were not required to be circumcised or keep the law of Moses. The elders of the Jerusalem church and the apostles agreed with Paul and Silas and gave them the right hand of fellowship. However, the Judaizing teachers did not give up easily. This was one of the battles Paul had to fight during his lifetime as a preacher. Faith in Jesus, obedience to the gospel and faithful Christian living is all that is required of a Christian. The law of Moses is not binding upon God’s people in the Christian age. Christians are saved by faith, not by the works of the law of Moses.

Paul had to defend his apostleship. Jesus Christ called Paul to be an apostle. He was not made an apostle from men. Paul received the gospel message from Jesus. He and the twelve apostles taught the same message. It was difficult for many Jewish Christians to understand that the law of Moses was "nailed" to the cross and was not binding upon God’s people in the Christian age. By the end of Paul’s life, truth had triumphed.

CHURCHES OF GALATIA

The destination of this letter to Galatia was a group of churches that Paul himself had founded (Galatians 1:2, 8, 9; 4:19). His close relationship with them is reflected in 4:11–14. Until the 18th century, most readers understood “Galatia” to be the territory in the heart of Asia Minor whose boundaries included Bithynia and Pontus on the north, Phrygia on the southwest, and Cappadocia on the east. However, the Book of Acts offers no record of Paul evangelizing in this “North Galatian” area, apart from brief hints (Acts 16:6; 18:23).

The epistle of Galatians was addressed to the churches of Galatia, a Roman province in the north-central part of what is called "Turkey" today. Galatia received its name from the Gauls of Central Europe. Some of these warriors had come to Greece and then to this area of the country around 278 B.C. This area became a Roman province in 25 B.C. This letter is not written to one church, but to all of the churches in Galatia. These churches would include the churches in the cities of Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.

The “South Galatian” theory understands Galatia to refer to the Roman province of Paul’s day, which included Pisidia, Lycaonia, and parts of Phrygia and Cappadocia. Also included were the cities of Antioch, Lystra, Derbe, and Iconium, which Paul visited on both his first (Acts 13; 14) and second (Acts 16) missionary journeys.

OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS

I. The Authority Of Paul’s Apostleship And Gospel, 1:1-2:21

A. Opening Salutation 1:1-5

B. The Only Gospel 1:6-10

C. Paul’s Gospel Derived Not From Men, But From God 1:11-24

D. Paul’s Apostleship Recognized In Jerusalem 2:1-10

E. Paul’s Rebuke To Peter 2:11-14

F. Justification And Union With Christ By Faith 2:15-21

II. The Doctrine Of Justification By Faith In Christ 3:1-4:31

A. An Appeal To Experience And Scripture 3:1-9

B. The Curse And The Blessing 3:10-14

C. The Real Function Of The Law 3:15-23

D. In This Area Of Faith Christians Are Sons Of God 3:24-4:7

E. The Foolishness Of Wishing To Be Again In Bondage 4:8-11

F. A Call To Remember Their First Reception Of The Gospel 4:12-20

G. The Allegory Of Abraham’s Two Sons 4:21-31

III. There Is Freedom In Christ 5:1-6:18

A. A Call To Hold Fast To Freedom 5:1-12

B. The Works Of The Flesh And The Fruit Of The Spirit 5:13-26

C. Burden Bearing 6:1-5

D. Sowing And Reaping 6:6-10

E. Conclusion 6:11-18

https://youtu.be/JnYJtuUxLSM

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Life of Paul - Intro =

Introduction to the Life of Paul

Series on the Life of Paul

Possible Date: It is likely that the apostle Paul was born not long after Christ's birth. He seems to have lived until the late 60s.

Paul's Birth and Family

Scripture: Paul wrote 13 of the 26 books of the New Testament.

NOTE: This series on the "Life of Paul" I'm placing parallel with this blog focused on the chronological study of the history of the church.

#Paul

#Apostle Paul

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

Other Resources:

Britannica Article

BibleStudy.org

LIFE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE

https://youtu.be/L8maONPlWt0

This a Good summary of the life of the apostle Paul.

Paul The Apostle (2013) | Full Movie | Johannes Brandrup | Thomas Lockyer | Barbora Bobulova

https://youtu.be/nBwcTDZRmkY

A good dramatization of Paul's life. They didn't accurately reflect baptism by immersion.

https://youtu.be/fdtgSlZyoRE

Apostle Paul - Classic Collection

https://youtu.be/bC1xa6H78EQ

Apart from Jesus, no person shaped the history of Christianity like the Apostle Paul. His personal encounter with Jesus Christ changed his life from persecutor to preacher for Christ. Paul preached for Christ throughout the Roman Empire on three missionary journeys. He wrote letters to various churches, many of which became part of the New Testament. Paul's pilgrimage made lands holy and places sacred. Follow in the footsteps of Paul and experience the beauty of Jerusalem, Antioch, Philippi, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, Malta, and Rome where he was executed for the faith he once denounced.

https://youtu.be/tFPS4pUhOsA

https://www.gotquestions.org/life-Paul.html

Series of Sermons on Paul

Below is the Blue Letter Bible suggested dates for the life of Paul.

Timeline of the Apostle Paul

Note: The chronology and dating of the events in Paul's life are still disputed among scholars.

Year	The Life of Paul	Books Written	Historical Events
AD 4				Augustus adopts Tiberius and recognizes him as the successor
c. 5	Born—an Israelite—in Tarsus of Cilicia (Acts 22:3; Phil 3:5)
c. 5	A Roman citizen by birthright (Acts 22:28)
7				Judea becomes a Roman Imperial province
14				Census of Caesar and Tiberius
14				Lyvia poisons Augustus; Tiberius comes into power
c.15-20	At the school of Gamaliel, Jerusalem (Acts 22:3)
26				Pilate begins serving as procurator of Judea
28				John the Baptist executed by Herod Antipas
30				Crucifixion of Christ
31(?)	A Pharisee (Phil 3:5)
c. 32	Present at Stephen's stoning (Acts 7:58; 8:1)
c.33-34	Persecutor of the church (Acts 8:1-3; Phil 3:6)
34	Conversion on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9)
	Goes to Damascus (Acts 9:10-19)
	Travels to Arabia and remains there (Gal 1:17)
35
36				Imprisonment of Herod Agrippa
37
	Returns to Damascus then exits the city for safety (Gal 1:17; Acts 9:20-25; 2 Cor 11:32-33)
	Goes up to Jerusalem (Acts 9:26-29; Gal 1:18)			Caligula becomes emperor at the death of Tiberius
	Goes back to Tarsus for safety (Acts 9:30)
38
39				Herod Antipas was deposed by Caligula and exiled to Gaul
40
41				Caligula murdered
41				Cladius declared emperor
42				Famine in Rome
43				Roman campaigns against Britain
44				Death of Herod Agrippa I
45
46
46	Barnabas travels to Tarsus in order to seek Saul (Acts 11:25)
47	Goes to Antioch with Barnabas teaching and many people (Acts 11:26)
	Agabus prophesies a famine (Acts 11:27, 28)
	Aid sent to Jerusalem through Barnabas and Saul (Acts 11:29, 30)
	Barnabas and Saul return with John Mark (Acts 12:25)
	Barnabas and Saul "separated" and sent out (Acts 13:2, 3)
	They travel from Antioch to Seleucia, then to Cyprus (Acts 13:4)
48
	While on Cyprus they go to Salamis and Paphos (Acts 13:5-12)
	From Paphos they go to Perga of Pamphylia where John Mark departs for home (Acts 13:13)
	Ministry in Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:14-50)
	At Iconium (Acts 13:51 - 14:6)
	Flees to Lystra and Derbe, preaching the gospel (Acts 14:6-7)
	In Lystra Paul and Barnabas are mistaken for gods (Acts 14:8-18)
	Stoned at Lystra, supposed to be dead, but re-enters the city (Acts 14:19-20)
	Departs with Barnabas to Derbe, preaching the gospel (Acts 14:20-21)
	They return to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch to strengthen disciples and appoint elders (Acts 14:21-24)
	From Pisidia, they returned to Antioch of Syria and reported their journey to the church (Acts 14:24-28)
49	Goes up to the Jerusalem Council with Barnabas (Acts 15:1-29; Galatians 2:1)			Claudius expels Jews from Rome and blames it on Chrestus (a possible reference to Christ)
	Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch of Syria, teaching and preaching (Acts 15:30-35; Galatians 2:11-14)
	Contention over John Mark; Barnabas and John Mark sail to Cyprus (Acts 15:36-39)
	Paul and Silas depart, going through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches (Acts 15:40-41)	Galatians (?)
50	Goes to Derbe and Lystra and picks up Timothy, strengthening the churches (Acts 16:1-5)			The rise of the Zealots
50	They go to Troas and Paul sees a vision of a Macedonian man (Acts 16:6-10)
51	They sail from Troas to Neapolis (Acts 16:11)
	To Philippi where Paul meets Lydia (Acts 16:12-15)
	Paul and Silas were imprisoned after casting out a demon from a slave girl (Acts 16:16-25)
	Prison doors opened miraculously and the jailer was saved (Acts 16:25-34)
	Departs from Philippi (Acts 16:35-40)
	They passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia (Acts 17:1)
	At Thessalonica and preached Christ, but had to flee (Acts 17:1-10)
	At Berea where he leaves Silas and Timothy (Acts 17:10-14)
	At Corinth and rejoined with Silas and Timothy (Acts 18:1-17)	Galatians (?)
		1 Thessalonians
52		2 Thessalonians
53	Paul returns to Antioch after stopping at Ephesus, Caeserea, and Jerusalem (Acts 18:18-22)
	Travels through Galatia and Phrygia strengthening the disciples (Acts 18:23)
	Passes through the upper regions on his way to Ephesus (Acts 19:1)
	Ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-41)
54				Claudius poisoned by his wife
54		1 Corinthians		Nero becomes Emperor
55
56	Goes to Macedonia (Acts 20:1)	2 Corinthians
	Travels to Greece (Acts 20:2)	Romans
	Goes back to Macedonia (Acts 20:3)
	At Troas (Acts 20:4-12)
	Assos. Mitylene. Chios. Samos. Togyllium. (Acts 20:13-15)
	Paul exhorts the Ephesian elders at Miletus (Acts 20:15-38)
	Cos. Rhodes. Patara. Phoenicia. (Acts 21:1, 2)
	At Tyre (Acts 21:3-6)
	At Ptolemais (Acts 21:7)
	At Caesarea (Acts 21:8-14)
57	At Jerusalem (Acts 21:15-25)
	Paul gets arrested in the temple and causes a mob (Acts 21:26-36)
	Addresses the mob (Acts 21:37 - 22:21)
	Paul's citizenship saves him from scourging (Acts 22:22-29)
	Before the Sanhedrin (Acts 22:30 - 23:10)
	Jesus tells Paul that he will bear witness of him in Rome (Acts 23:11)
	The plot against Paul's life (Acts 23:12-22)
	Sent safely to Felix the governor (Acts 23:23-35)
	Paul before Felix (Acts 24:1-27)
59	Paul before Festus (Acts 25:1-12)
	Paul's appeal honored - turning point towards Rome (Acts 25:12)			The assassination of Agrippina, the mother of Nero
	Paul before Agrippa (Acts 25:13 - 26:32)
	Paul departs for Rome and sails to Myra (Acts 27:1-5)
	They sail to Fair Havens on Crete (Acts 27:6-8)
	In spite of Paul's warning, they set sail again (Acts 27:9-12)
	In the midst of a terrible storm they get shipwrecked on the island of Malta (Acts 27:13 - 28:1)
	At Malta (Acts 28:2-10)
	Sails to Syracuse (Acts 28:11, 12)
	Sails to Rhegium then Puteoli (Acts 28:13)
60	Arrives in Rome (Acts 28:14-16)
	Meets with the Jews (Acts 28:17-28)
	Preaches the gospel without hindrance for two whole years in his rented house (Acts 28:30-31).	Philemon
61		Colossians
61		Ephesians
62		Philippians
62	Released from Roman imprisonment	1 Timothy (c. 62-64) Titus (c. 62-64)
63	Further missionary work
64				The Great Fire in Rome; Major persecution of Christianity begins
				Josephus pleads the interests of the Jews before Rome
		2 Timothy (c. 64-66)		Nero constructs the Domus Aurea
65
66	Second imprisonment and martyrdom under Nero			The beginning of the Jewish Revolt against Rome
67				Josephus surrenders to the Romans
68				Nero commits suicide
69				Vespian prevails as the Emperor amidst a civil war
70				Destruction of the temple under Titus