Paul Tells Others About His Gospel -
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
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It is true that now there
is but one gospel and God’s anathema is pronounced upon any who would
presume to proclaim any other (Gal.1:8,9), but those who suppose that
Paul proclaimed the same good news which the twelve before him had
proclaimed, should carefully read Galatians 2:1-9.
The
twelve had been proclaiming our Lord’s kingdom rights in “the gospel of
the kingdom”. The kingdom having been rejected, however, God raised up
Paul to proclaim “the Gospel of the Grace of God” (Acts 20:24). In Galatians 1:11,12, this apostle declares:
“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man, for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
This
is only one of many passages in which he declares that he was
commissioned to proclaim a special message by the glorified Lord Himself
(Eph.3:1-4; Rom.16:25; etc.).
Now in Galatians 2:2, the apostle states: “I went up by revelation[God
sent him] and communicated unto them [the apostles and elders at
Jerusalem] that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles….” But was he
not merely checking to make sure that he and they were preaching the
same good news? No, for he goes on to say: “But [I went] privately to
them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had
run, in vain”.
Verses
7 and 9 then go on to tell how “they saw” and “perceived” the grace
that had been given to Paul, so that they publicly and officially gave
him “the right hands of fellowship”, acknowledging him as the apostle of
grace, sent to the world with a message of grace:
“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom.3:24).
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