Galatians 2:5-6a
"To whom (that is the leaders in Jerusalem) we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; (for what purpose?) that the truth of the gospel (Paul's Gospel, the Gospel of Grace) might continue with you." (Gentiles) 6. But of these who seemed to be somewhat,..." Why did they seem to be somewhat? Well at one time they were somewhat. They were the leaders and remember we went back and showed in the Book of Acts that all of those Jewish believers in that Jerusalem congregation had land and houses and CD's and stocks and whatever else they may have had and they turned it into cash, and what did they do with that cash? Laid it at the Apostles feet. Why would they do that? Because, first they were looking for the troubles of Jacob or the tribulation to start shortly and then they were in charge. But now we see some 22 years after Pentecost Paul is writing by inspiration, and says, "But of these who seemed to be somewhat," But they weren't because their power base was slipping away. God had turned away from the Hebrews and He was now going out into the Gentile world and so this is why he says what he says.
Galatians 2:6
"But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me; God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference (when they sat down and laid the plumb line with line upon line, and precept upon precept) added nothing to me:" Now who was above and who was beneath? Paul took the ascendancy and the Twelve in Jerusalem had to finally admit, "OK Paul you're right, evidently the Lord is doing something different." Now we're not taking anything away from the Twelve's spiritual relationship with God. It was just that God had revealed to those Jewish believers at Jerusalem that He was doing something different but they did not see it nor did they understand it, it was a mystery to them. We know we're always going back to Deuteronomy 29:29.
Deuteronomy 29:29
"The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: (now what does that mean? God can keep in His mind whatever He wants to keep, and He will reveal it whenever He's good and ready and not until. So He kept all these things secret and they are still secret to most people because they can't see it even to this day. Because their still under the reigns of the tutor and trapped inside the corral of the first covenant and the externalism or material world and religious legalism. Why? Because of hardness of heart, they have not a broken and contrite heart nor have they become humbled before God. But then that verse goes on to say that once it's revealed then we are to believe it) but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."
Now Peter and the eleven were in that position as are the Hebrews and the churches to-day that God has not revealed it to them. There remains a veil over their eyes and ears because of pride and the twisting and blending of scriptures to mean and say what they are not saying. God hadn't told them that, but through Paul, He was doing something that had never been done. So we're not blaming them for being out of step with God or less spiritual. It was just that God had not yet revealed to those Jewish believers nor the people who claim to be what they are not, that now He's doing something totally different. In fact let us show this in the Book of Philippians chapter 1. This is an interesting little verse, and we suppose most people miss it completely. And again remember that the letter to the Philippians was to a Gentile congregation.
Philippians 1:9-10
"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; (or discernment) 10. That ye may approve things that are excellent; (in the Greek that is translated different. So read it in that light.) that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;"
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