The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-06-13
Paul Champions Christian Lib
srfY; Galatians 2:I.l0, 1871
RY RALPH ROGERS

Paul Champions Christian Lib
eTfY; Galatians 2:I.l0, 1871
eY RALPH ROGERS
Apparently the Christians in Ga
latia had been having little con-
troversy over personal matters.
Paul had established the churches
and taught them the fundamentals
of the new rsligion. Other teachers
had followed undermining Paul's
work and Sowed doubt and dis
content in the minds of the peo-
pie. When these trouble makers
questioned the authority and teach
ing of Paul because he did not in
sist on Gentle converts comply
ing with all the requirements of
the old Mosaic law, it naturally
disturbed their faith and they need
ed some assurance.
At this time Paul was in Cor
NTH about Sc or 81 A. d. and al
though he was busy combating the
pagan worship there, he took time
out to write the churches of Ga
latia. In this letter he sought to
establish himself as an apostle of
Christ and to convince his read
ers of the truth of the new Cos
pei. The second chapter Of Gala
tians reveals the seriousness of
this bothersome problem which
had become rather acute with the
Gentiles in Galatia. To solve the
problem once and for all an cleo
ton is held when Paul and Bar
nabaS are elected to proceed to
Jerusalem and there present the
matter to the Council of church
leaders who would settle the mat
ter. Titus goes along as sort of I'M
official delegate.
Paul was not only a most con-
vincing preacher but a good stra-
tegist as WELL. He says, II went
up again to Jerusalem with Bar
nabas taking Titus also with me"
Paul had been preaching fourteen
years at this time and now a seri-
GUS question faced these new chur-
ches which would either make or
destroy them for the future. Paul
was thinking over the debate
which he was about to face SO he
very cleverly took Titus, an UNI
circumcised Gresk, with him who
had already been received into
the membership Of the church.
Paul said he went up by reveIa-
ton which means that he was
being led by Holy Spirit in which
he fully trusted. II seems that he
was not going simply because he
had been elected or directed to 60,
but he was convinced that he was
led Of God. Paul always laid great
stress and emphasis upon the
place and importance of the Holy
Spirit. Too often we are led into
saying and doing things which are
not in accord with the teaching
and spirit of Christ, and try to
convince ourselves that it is the
spirit Of God when in fact it is
the Devil himself. individuals and
churches today, as then, are eff
fective forces for good only in pro-
portions as they render willing
surrender to the Holy Spirit.
There are differences Of opinion
and disputes today. Too often
they deteriorate into such persis-
tent controversies Of malice and
hate as to show no evidence of
love and brotherhood which are at
tributes of the Holy Spirit. The
Galatian churches were rapidly
plunging into the abyss far more
destructive than any of the pagan
religions. The idea of carrying
these differences to jerusalem
was an excellent idea. Since Paul
and most of the other church lead
ers were Jews their decision would
satisfy both sides. Paul believed
in Christian liberty and was will
ing to abide by the decision Of the
majority both in the local church
and in the Council al Jerusalem.
He wanted to present his side OF
the question however. and the
Church Council was fair in allow
ing this to be done.
DR.. Frank Mead tells Of a church
controversy many years ago when
churches used the cid tuning fork
and sang without instrumental
music. The young people of an up.
per New York church wanted an
organ while the older and more
group did not. The
young people raised money for an
organ and secretly sneaked it into
the choir loft one Saturday night.
On Sunday morning there was