by Jamie Pantastico | May 29, 2025 | Daily Devotional |
For Your Edification and Encouragement
God’s Plan Through Israel and the Church – Part 8
Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers,
Romans 15:8
Jesus came to fulfill the promises made to the fathers and offer the Kingdom to Israel. He came as the promised Messiah—performing miracles, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, and confirming that the time had come.
“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
— Matthew 4:17
The majority of Christendom, whether Church members or not, assume that the opening of Matthew Chapter 1 marks the start of Christianity. That the Lord Jesus has arrived to start the Church, this is a misconception. At this point, the narrative remains an extension of God’s covenant with Israel, rooted in Old Testament promises. In Luke Chapter 1, as the angel’s announcement to Mary reveals, Jesus enters the scene not primarily to proclaim His death on the cross for the world’s sins—though that is undoubtedly part of God’s plan—but to fulfill the promises made to Israel. With 2 exceptions, the context of the Four Gospels is distinctly Jewish, and language and the context make it undeniable.
It’s also important to recognize that these events unfold under the Law. The Temple is still active, sacrifices continue, and even those who become followers of Christ (those who believed that Jesus was indeed Israel’s promised Messiah, the Son of God) retain their Jewish practices. Jesus does not rebuke them for this, quite the opposite. The Lord Jesus doesn’t tell them that they are Law no longer under the law—that’s a revelation that comes many years later (around 14 years later) through Paul. This reflects the Bible’s progressive revelation: God doesn’t disclose everything at once. And why it is so important to study the Bible in time, not getting ahead of events as they unfold. While prophecy abounds in the Old Testament, some truths remain hidden until God chooses to unveil them. In Luke Chapter 1, the angel’s announcement to Mary sets the stage for Christ’s first advent, fulfilling God’s promises to Israel.
Take time to read the passages below carefully—and pay close attention to the language. Read these verses in real time, as if the events are unfolding before your eyes. This will help you see clearly that the angel is announcing the imminent birth of Israel’s promised Messiah—the One who will crush Israel’s enemies and establish the promised kingdom, ruling and reigning from David’s throne in Jerusalem, on Mount Zion.
‘Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus . He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”’
Luke 1:30-33
The following passages make it even clearer that Christ’s first advent was to fulfill the covenant promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. In Luke 1:67–75, we find Zacharias—John the Baptist’s father and a priest—speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And what does he proclaim?
In the opening words of what many call the “New Testament,” Zacharias praises and exalts the Lord God of Israel. But notice what he emphasizes—not primarily salvation from sin (though that is part of the overall plan)—but deliverance from Israel’s enemies.
What enemies?
The same enemies that surround Israel today.
Read these verses carefully. Pay attention to the language. You don’t need to be a seminary graduate—just read the plain text. And do this: read the verses in real time, as if you’re watching the events unfold in the present moment. When you do, it becomes unmistakably clear:
- This passage is about Israel.
- It’s about the redemption of Israel.
- It’s about the fulfillment of the covenant God made with the patriarchs.
Luke 1:67-75
Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
Israel’s Rejection Was Foreknown
From the beginning of His ministry, Jesus was opposed by the religious leaders. They questioned His authority, rejected His miracles, and attributed His works to Satan (Matthew 12:24).
This accusation marked a national turning point. From that moment, Jesus began to speak in parables and focus more on preparing His disciples for what was to come.
Betrayed by His Own
Though multitudes followed Him for miracles, the nation as a whole did not believe that He was indeed the Israel’s Messiah. When given the choice between Jesus and Barabbas, they chose a murderer.
“We have no king but Caesar!”
— John 19:15
The Cross Was Not the End of the Offer
Even after the crucifixion, in the early chapters of Acts, God offered Israel the Kingdom again—through Peter and the apostles:
“Repent therefore and be converted… that He may send Jesus Christ… whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration…”
— Acts 3:19–21
But once again, the leaders rejected the message. The final act of national rejection came in Acts 7, with the stoning of Stephen.
Why This Matters
Jesus was the promised King. The Kingdom was offered. But Israel—as a nation—rejected it. They crucified their Messiah and refused to repent, even after the resurrection.
This doesn’t mean God’s promises failed. It simply means the prophetic program was paused—and something brand new was about to be revealed.
by Jamie Pantastico | May 28, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
For Your Edification and Encouragement
‘Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:’
Romans 15:8
“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
— Galatians 4:4–5
Let that sink in: Jesus was born under the law. He lived under the law. He taught under the law. He died under the law.
Everything the Lord Jesus did during His earthly ministry—from His sermons to His miracles to His commandments—was done under the authority and framework of the Mosaic Law. That was the covenant in effect. He came, not to do away with it, but to fulfill it.
Jesus Came to Israel Under the Law
“But He answered and said, ‘I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’”
— Matthew 15:24
The Lord made it plain: His earthly mission was not to the Gentiles. He was sent to Israel alone, to confirm the promises made to the fathers (Romans 15:8). He was presenting Himself as Israel’s long-awaited Messiah and King.
Jesus Taught Law-Based Righteousness
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven;
but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
— Matthew 5:17–20
This is not grace. Jesus wasn’t preaching the gospel of grace—He was upholding the righteous requirements of the law. His audience was Israel, still under the covenant given at Mount Sinai.
He Instructed Obedience to the Law for Salvation
“Now behold, one came and said to Him, ‘Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’
So He said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.’”
— Matthew 19:16–17
When asked how to inherit eternal life, Jesus didn’t say “just believe.” He said, keep the commandments. Why? Because the cross hadn’t happened yet. The gospel of grace had not been revealed. Israel was still under the law.
He Affirmed the Levitical Priesthood and Temple Law
“And He charged him to tell no one,
‘But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing,
as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded.’”
— Luke 5:14
Even in healing, Jesus directed people back to the Mosaic system. The law was still in effect. The Levitical priesthood was still functioning. The free gift of salvation by grace had not yet been ratified by the blood of the cross.
Most of the Church Misses This
The vast majority of Christendom builds its doctrine and practices on Jesus’ earthly ministry, without rightly dividing the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). But Jesus’ earthly teachings were:
- Spoken before the cross
- Directed to Israel—On Covenant Ground
- Within the framework of the Mosaic Law
- Focused on the promised kingdom
And this continued into the early chapters of Acts. Peter’s sermons were directed to “Ye men of Israel” (Acts 2:22), offering the return of Christ and the establishment of the kingdom if the nation would repent (Acts 3:19–21). Even after the cross the biblical record is God dealing with Israel on covenant ground. The mystery of the Body of Christ was still hidden (Ephesians 3:5). The Church, which is His body is 7-8 years ahead in time when God calls Saul to be the apostle to the Gentiles Acts 9:15-16.
Yet today, most churches—each and every Sunday—preach from the four Gospels. And of those, 95% preach from the Sermon on the Mount.
There is nothing wrong with preaching and teaching the Sermon on the Mount. We must teach it and know everything about the Lord’s earthly ministry—it is for our learning (Romans 15:4), and it has beautiful truths we can apply to our daily lives. But let’s be absolutely clear:
The Sermon on the Mount is not doctrine for the Body of Christ.
It is the constitution for the coming earthly kingdom. Jesus was speaking to Jews, under the law, preparing them for the Messianic Kingdom. Gentiles were not included in that message, except as curious onlookers. The Church had not yet been revealed, and grace was not being preached.
This confusion—of taking kingdom truth for Israel and applying it to the Body of Christ—has led to massive doctrinal error. It blends law with grace, burdens believers, and obscures the clear gospel of salvation.
“We Wish to See Jesus”—But Not Yet
“Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast.
Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’
Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
But Jesus answered them, saying,
‘The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone;
but if it dies, it produces much grain.’”
— John 12:20–24
This moment is loaded with prophetic and theological meaning.
Gentiles—referred to here as “Greeks”—had heard about Jesus. No doubt they had witnessed or heard of His miracles, His wisdom, and His power. Their request was simple: “We want to see Jesus.”
But notice the hesitation. Philip doesn’t go directly to Jesus. He seeks out Andrew first—perhaps needing backup, perhaps remembering the Lord’s earlier instruction not to go to the Gentiles (Matthew 10:5–6). Together, they go to Jesus.
And how does the Lord respond?
He does not say, “Bring them to Me.”
He doesn’t say, “Let them come.”
Instead, He says: “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.”
What does that mean?
Jesus is pointing to the cross. His death, burial, and resurrection were still ahead—and until that work was complete, He could not be the object of faith for the whole world. His ministry, up to this point, had been to Israel alone, under the law, on covenant ground. Gentiles were on the outside looking in.
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone;
but if it dies, it produces much grain.”
— John 12:24
This is the key. Jesus is saying, “Unless I go to the cross and die, My mission remains limited. But once I die and rise again, I can bring forth a great harvest—Jew and Gentile alike.”
This is a stunning visual and theological bridge between the Gospels and Paul’s later message of grace.
The Gospel of Grace Came Through Paul
“For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
— Galatians 1:12
“If indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already),
by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:”
— Ephesians 3:2–5
The risen and glorified Christ gave the gospel of grace to Paul. This gospel is for Jew and Gentile alike. It is not based on covenants, law, or earthly kingdom promises. It is based solely on Christ’s finished work on the cross.
Rightly Divide the Word
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.”
— 2 Timothy 2:15
We don’t divide truth from error—we divide truth from truth. There is truth for Israel under the law, and there is truth for the Body of Christ under grace. Both are from God. But mixing them leads to error and confusion.
In Summary
Jesus’ earthly ministry was perfect, powerful, and prophetic. But it was under the Law, on covenant ground, directed to Israel, and focused on the promised kingdom. The Church today must get its doctrine from the risen Christ, revealed through Paul.
✅We are not under law.
✅We are not waiting for a kingdom.
✅We are saved by grace, members of the Body of Christ, already seated in heavenly places.
Truth over Tradition
by Jamie Pantastico | May 26, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
For Your Edification and Encouragement
The Bible is a book of divine progressive revelation, unfolding God’s plan of redemption step by step. One of the most crucial distinctions in rightly dividing the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) is between the gospel Peter preached according to prophecy and the gospel Paul preached by revelation of a mystery.
These were not the same gospel, nor were they in conflict. They were part of God’s sovereign and unfolding plan.
Peter’s Gospel: According to Prophecy
Peter, as one of the Twelve, preached what had been spoken “by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21). His message was to Israel, proclaiming that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah who arrived to fulfill Old Testament promises. Romans 15:8 makes it so clear:
‘Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, ‘
🔹 Prophetic Roots
- Acts 2:16 – “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel…”
- Acts 3:24 – “All the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow…have also foretold these days.”
Peter’s message was clear: the crucified Jesus was raised and exalted—and now the nation must believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). If they would, God would send Jesus back to establish the promised kingdom (Acts 3:18-21).
Read the following verses slowly and carefully. Look at what Peter is saying, remember this is many days after Pentecost. God is still ready to fulfill His promises to His chosen people if they would just repent of killing their Messiah. This is all covenant ground, not church language, nothing to do with the body of Christ. The Church, which is His body hasn’t even been revealed yet.
‘But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,’
Acts 3:18-19
🔹 Kingdom Offer to Israel
- Acts 2:30-31 – Peter affirms that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to David.
- Acts 3:25-26 – “To you first, God…sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”
This gospel was national, prophetic, and earthly in scope—the restoration of the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6).
Paul’s Gospel: According to Revelation of the Mystery
In stark contrast, Paul was entrusted with a new message, previously unknown, revealed directly by the risen Christ. His gospel was not according to prophecy—it was according to “the revelation of the mystery” (Romans 16:25).
🔹 A Hidden Message, Now Revealed
- Ephesians 3:3-5 – “…by revelation He made known to me the mystery…which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men.”
- Colossians 1:26 – “The mystery which has been hidden from ages and generations, but now has been revealed…”
- Romans 16:25 – “…the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began.”
Paul’s gospel revealed that salvation is now offered to all people—Jew and Gentile alike—by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), not through the covenants, or by keeping the law, or works.
🔹 The Gospel that Saves Today
Paul defines the gospel that saves in 1 Corinthians 15:1–4:
“…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day…”
This gospel is how God is saving people today—not through water baptism, repentance for the kingdom, or law-keeping, but through faith alone in Christ’s finished work on the cross.
Prophecy vs. Mystery: A Clear Distinction
| Category |
Peter – Gospel of the Kingdom |
Paul – Gospel of Grace |
| Source |
Prophecy (spoken since the world began) |
Mystery (kept secret since the world began) |
| Audience |
Israel |
Jew and Gentile (and all mankind) |
| “Good News” |
Jesus is Messiah the Son of God; repent and be baptized |
Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again |
| Requirement |
Believe that Jesus is the Messiah the Son of God; Repent & Baptized |
Believe that Christ died for our sins was buried, and was raised from the dead 3 days later |
| Hope Offered |
Earthly kingdom with the Lord Jesus ruling as King of kings in Jerusalem |
Heavenly blessings in Christ; the Hope of Glory in heaven with Lord forever. |
| Key Scriptures |
Acts 2–3; Matthew 10:5–7, 16:16; Galatians 2:7 |
Acts 9:15-16; Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:3-9; 1 Cor. 15:1-4 |
🔔 Only One Gospel Saves Today
It’s important to make this absolutely clear: there are not two gospels today. Some critics accuse us of teaching two ways of salvation in the present—but that is a strawman.
There is only one gospel by which mankind are saved today: Paul’s gospel of grace (Romans 2:16; Galatians 1:6-9). Peter’s kingdom gospel served its purpose in God’s prophetic timeline. But that offer has been postponed (Romans 11:25), and today, salvation is offered to all through the cross alone.
📖 God Reveals Truth on His Terms
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
— Deuteronomy 29:29
God is sovereign. He reveals what He wants, when He wants, and to whom He wants. Peter preached what had been revealed through prophecy. Paul revealed a new message that had been hidden from the beginning of the world.
And when God reveals something—we are to believe Him.
🧭 Final Thought
Peter’s gospel was rooted in Old Testament prophecy and the covenants God made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. It looked forward to Israel’s promised King and His earthly kingdom.
Paul’s gospel, by contrast, was a mystery (mustérion: secret)—hidden in the mind of God and never revealed by the prophets or spoken by Jesus or the Twelve during His earthly ministry. It was the good news of salvation by grace to both Jew and Gentile apart from the Mosaic law, temple worship and works appropriated by faith alone in the finished work of the cross.
Both were ordained by God. But only one is operative today:
Paul’s gospel of the grace of God.
“In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” —Romans 2:16
by Jamie Pantastico | May 26, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
For Your Edification and Encouragement
Daniel 12:4, 9 | Matthew 16:1–3 | 2 Timothy 4 | Romans 1:18
“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
—Daniel 12:4
“And he said, ‘Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.'”
—Daniel 12:9
For centuries, the prophetic words spoken to Daniel were sealed—hidden in mystery, reserved for a future generation. A time when knowledge would explode, travel would be rapid, and the signs would be unmistakable.
That time is now.
The words are unsealed. The signs are everywhere. The convergence of end-time events is no longer theoretical. It’s visible, tangible, global—and it’s escalating.
Jesus Rebuked the Blindness of His Generation—What Would He Say to Ours?
“You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.”
—Matthew 16:3
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day could forecast the weather, but they were blind to the presence of their long-awaited Messiah. Today, the world is filled with “experts,” analysts, and think tanks forecasting everything from economic collapses to climate change. But where are the voices discerning the times? Where is the church?
If we dare to look—not with carnal eyes, but with spiritual discernment—we’ll see the sobering truth: the time of the end is no longer approaching. It is upon us.
What Are the Signs of the Time of the End?
Let’s take a look at the unmistakable convergence happening in real time:
1. Israel: God’s Prophetic Timepiece
Israel is God’s super-sign. The rebirth of the nation in 1948 set the prophetic clock ticking. But today, the pressure is intensifying:
- Every major world power is united against Israel’s right to defend itself.
- Nations are demanding a two-state solution, seeking to divide the land God gave to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
- Most of Christendom has always been against Israel, because most of Christendom believes in “Replacement Theology”
- Zechariah 12:3 is in motion: “Though all nations of the earth are gathered against it…”
2. Global Deception and Apostasy
Deception isn’t creeping—it’s flooding every corner of society.
- Governments lie.
- Media manipulates.
- Pulpits are silent—or worse, apostate.
- People are willingly rejecting truth and embracing delusion.
Paul warned of this in 2 Timothy 4:3–4:
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine… they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
But the root of this deception goes deeper—it is deliberate.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”
—Romans 1:18
This is the world we’re living in—a world actively suppressing truth. Not merely ignorant of it, but knowingly holding it down in unrighteousness. Truth is not just rejected—it’s ridiculed, censored, and criminalized.
- God’s design for marriage? Suppressed.
- God’s image in humanity? Suppressed.
- The truth of the gospel? Suppressed.
This level of worldwide deception—in politics, religion, education, media, and morality—is without precedent. And it’s one of the clearest signs that the time of the end has come.
3. The Beast System Is Ready
Daniel said knowledge will increase, and it has—exponentially:
- AI platforms are integrated into every sector of society.
- Digital currency is already being implemented.
- Global surveillance and biometric ID systems are active.
- The infrastructure for the mark of the beast (Revelation 13) is not coming—it’s here.
4. Lawlessness and Moral Collapse
We are witnessing a complete moral breakdown of society on a global scale. This is not just a temporary cultural drift—it is the prophetic description of a world in full rebellion against God.
Jesus warned in Matthew 24:12:
“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”
Paul describes this same condition in chilling detail. He outlines what the world will look like in the last days before the Rapture of the Church:
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
—2 Timothy 3:1–5
Look around and you’ll see every one of these descriptions fulfilled in real time:
-
Lovers of self: The cult of self-love is glorified.
-
Disobedience and pride: Authority is despised—parents, police, God Himself.
-
Unthankful and unholy: Gratitude is gone, and reverence for anything sacred has vanished.
-
Brutal and unforgiving: Violence is normalized, cancel culture thrives.
-
Lovers of pleasure, not God: Entertainment is the new religion.
-
A form of godliness: Churches promote religion without repentance, grace without truth.
This isn’t exaggeration—it’s prophecy unfolding before our eyes. And it’s yet another undeniable sign that we are living in the very last days.
5. Earthquakes and Signs in the Heavens
- Earthquakes are shaking cities that never had fault lines.
- Solar eclipses, blood moons, and atmospheric phenomena are drawing global attention.
- Even unbelievers are starting to ask: “What is going on?”
Jesus said: “There will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars…” (Luke 21:25).
This Is Not Hype—This Is Scripture Unsealed
What Daniel saw, but didn’t understand—what the prophets longed to know—we are now witnessing. What a great time to be alive!
The signs Jesus gave.
The warnings Paul shouted.
The vision John recorded.
They’re no longer waiting in the wings. They’re center stage.
What Should We Do?
Paul’s final charge is our call to action:
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
—2 Timothy 4:2
This is not a time to panic. It’s a time to preach, watch, and stand firm in the truth. The Bible does not call us to set dates—but it does command us to recognize the season and live accordingly.
We are not appointed to wrath (1 Thess. 5:9), but we are appointed to truth, boldness, and hope in Jesus Christ.
Final Word: Wake Up. Look Up. Speak Up.
The words are unsealed.
The signs are screaming.
The end is not near—it’s here.
If you know Christ, hold fast. If you don’t, today is the day of salvation.
Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again. Believe on Him and you will be saved.
“When you see these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
—Luke 21:28
by Jamie Pantastico | May 24, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
For Your Edification and Encouragement
Galatians 2:11–16
There’s a moment recorded in Galatians 2 that Christendom simply ignores—a confrontation between two of the most influential apostles in the early church. Paul withstands Peter “to his face,” not over a minor disagreement, but over the very truth of the gospel. Why? Because Peter, the apostle to the circumcision, had compromised the message of salvation by grace.
This wasn’t a debate over table customs. This was about the core of our faith.
The Context: Why Paul Was Sent to Jerusalem
(Galatians 1–2, Acts 15)
To understand why Paul confronted Peter in Antioch, we need to look at the backdrop: the Jerusalem church and the rising tension over whether Gentile believers needed to obey the Law of Moses to be fully accepted by God.
In Galatians 1, Paul makes it crystal clear that the gospel he preached did not come from man. He wasn’t taught it by Peter, James, or John. He received it directly “through the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12). After his conversion, he didn’t rush to Jerusalem to get approval—instead, he spent three years before ever meeting Peter, and even then, it was a brief visit (Galatians 1:18–19).
Years later, a serious issue arose. Certain Jewish believers began teaching that unless Gentiles were circumcised and kept the law, they could not be saved (Acts 15:1). This heresy threatened the very foundation of the gospel Paul preached—salvation apart from the law.
So the Lord Jesus sent Paul and Barnabas up to Jerusalem—not to learn doctrine, but to defend it.
“Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles…”
—Galatians 2:1–2a
Paul’s companion Titus—an uncircumcised Greek—became a living example of grace. Paul refused to have him circumcised, despite pressure from false brethren who had infiltrated the church.
“…to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.”
—Galatians 2:5
That one sentence says everything. Paul would not compromise, not even for a moment. The truth of the gospel was at stake—and Paul stood firm. The result of that meeting was a mutual agreement: the apostles in Jerusalem recognized Paul’s divine calling, and extended the right hand of fellowship to him and Barnabas (Galatians 2:9). They acknowledged that Paul had been entrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision (Gentiles), just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel of the circumcision (Jews).
And yet, despite this clarity, old habits die hard. Legalism is a powerful force—especially for Jewish believers like Peter and Barnabas, whose entire worldview had been shaped by the Mosaic system. That’s what makes the confrontation in Antioch so critical.
The Gospel on Trial: Galatians 2:11–16
In Antioch, Peter had been freely eating with Gentile believers—until certain men from James arrived. Then, fearing those men who were Jews, Peter pulled back. His withdrawal wasn’t just a personal decision—it sent a message that Gentiles were second-class unless they kept the law.
Even Barnabas was carried away with the hypocrisy.
“But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all…”
—Galatians 2:14
Paul’s response is bold, clear, and theological:
“…a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ…”
—Galatians 2:16
The moment Peter stepped back, he blurred the lines between law and grace, implying that righteousness still depended on law-keeping. But Paul wouldn’t allow it. The gospel he preached was not law reformed or Judaism extended—it was a completely new revelation (the mystery): salvation apart from works, apart from Israel, apart from the Law.
Peter’s Final Words: Go to Paul
Years later, Peter wrote his final epistle before martyrdom. He knew his time was short. And with his last inspired words, he pointed believers—not back to the Sermon on the Mount, not to his own Pentecost sermon, and not to Christ’s earthly ministry.
He pointed them to Paul.
“…our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you… in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things… in which are some things hard to understand…”
—2 Peter 3:15–16
What “things” was Peter talking about? He had just spoken of being found by the Lord “in peace, without spot and blameless” (v.14)—in other words, how to be saved. And he continues in verse 15, saying, *“consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation”—*a direct reference to God’s present offer of grace to all. Then Peter points his readers to “our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him.” That “wisdom” is none other than the revelation of the gospel of grace—truths previously hidden, now made known through Paul alone. So if you want to understand salvation in this dispensation, Peter says: go to Paul.
Peter knew that Paul’s gospel was the final revelation of salvation for this dispensation of grace. It was Paul’s gospel that explained the cross—not just as a tragic end, but as a triumphant means of justification for both Jew and Gentile.
Why This Matters
This confrontation in Galatians 2 isn’t just a historical footnote—it’s a warning and a revelation.
✅It shows that even apostles can falter.
✅It shows that good men, like Peter and Barnabas, can waver under pressure.
✅And it shows that when the gospel is at stake, silence is not an option.
But more than that, it proves that we are not under law but under grace. We are justified freely by faith in what Christ did on the cross—not by what we do, or don’t do, under the law.
“I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
—Galatians 2:21
Final Thoughts: Stand Fast in the Liberty of Christ
The confrontation between Paul and Peter is recorded for us—not to shame Peter, but to safeguard the gospel. This confrontation is recorded to remind us that law and grace do not mix. It affirms that justification comes only through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as revealed to the apostle Paul.
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
—Galatians 5:1
Let’s not be bewitched (Galatians 3:1). Let’s not return to bondage. Don’t settle for any other gospel other than the gospel revealed to Paul (1 Corinthians 15:1-3). And don’t be afraid to stand, like Paul did, for the truth, the gospel of the grace of God.
to whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Galatians 2:5
