According to the Judaizers, those false teachers who claimed to represent the apostles in Jerusalem, Paul lacked the credentials to be considered a genuine apostle of Jesus Christ on the same level with Peter, James, and John. He was not one of the original twelve. His detractors claimed that Paul preached a watered-down gospel, taking out the requirement of circumcision and law keeping, in order to pander to his Gentile audience, making his message more palatable to them. But Paul, in Galatians 1, asserts his independence; that is, he was appointed an apostle by Jesus Christ Himself and had received his message directly from Jesus. Now, in chapter 2, Paul will assert his interdependence, that is, he is a partner with Peter, James, and John in the spread of the gospel. He begins by proving through his life experiences that he and the apostles in Jerusalem are on the 'same page' when it comes to the content of his gospel message! He and the apostles believed that salvation is by God's grace through faith plus nothing. It was not necessary for a Gentile convert to become a Jew first before becoming a Christian. Titus, a Gentile Christian, was not compelled to be circumcised by the apostles, proving that circumcision and law keeping was not a requirement to be a Christian! Doctrine does matter, and partnership is based on doctrinal agreement. Paul and the 'pillars' are on the 'same page'-- partners in the spreading of the gospel. |