Day 2
Lisa Scheffler, author
We rightly pay a lot of attention to Paul, Peter, John, and James because they were significant leaders in the early church. But just as any good leader today would tell you, they didn’t do the work of the gospel alone. They were supported by men and women who funded their ministry, prayed for them, and worked alongside them. Today we’re going to focus on two of Paul’s trusted co-workers, Titus and Barnabas, who accompanied Paul to Jerusalem.
Read
Galatians 2:1-2
Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2 I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.
Why do you think Paul took companions with him to Jerusalem? If you had been in Paul’s position, what kind of people would you have wanted to come with you?
Reflect
Think about the cities or regions in America that are the center of power, culture, and influence. What would you name? Washington DC? New York? Los Angeles and Hollywood? Silicon Valley?
For Judea, Jerusalem was everything. Although under the control of the Roman Empire, Jerusalem punched above its weight in influence, first for Jews, and then the early Christians. The first Christian assembly was born here after the Spirit came at Pentecost. Although Paul’s message was dependent on no one but God, their support for his mission to the Gentiles was certainly preferred. His choice of traveling companions to meet with these leaders was not random.
We meet Barnabas in the pages of Acts when he sold a field he owned and gave the proceeds to the apostles to help those in need. His given name was Joseph, but the apostles called him Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36-37). He became a trusted and respected leader in the church, and helped smooth the way for Paul’s introduction to the Jerusalem leaders (Acts 9:26-30). He was also one of Paul’s closest companions, though their relationship wasn’t without conflict.
Paul’s second traveling companion was Titus. Titus was likely one of Paul’s earliest converts, and a beloved friend (2 Corinthians 2:13). Relevant to this meeting in Jerusalem, Titus was a Gentile. As a faithful follower of Jesus, Titus was a living example that the gospel was for everyone, even uncircumcised Gentiles. As commentator Scot McKnight says, “Paul’s argument could not be clearer: if God had chosen and was using this uncircumcised Gentile, then certainly circumcision was not required to join the people of God.”[1]
Paul was not without support or encouragement as he entered Jerusalem to meet with the leaders of the church. Although he went because of a revelation from God (verse 2), he may not have had any assurance as to how the meeting would go. We can imagine that he was grateful for the presence of Barnabas and Titus.
As confident as Paul was in the revelation God had given to him, he still presented it to the leaders of the Jerusalem church. Their acceptance gave Paul “an even deeper argument: his gospel was both independent of, and confirmed by Jerusalem.” This gave his opponents and the Galatians no way out.[2]
[1] Scot McKnight, Galatians, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995), 83.
[2] McKnight, 83–84.
Respond
We all need support and encouragement as we pursue the work of ministry. And you don’t have to be a pastor, missionary, or work on a church staff to have a “ministry.” Ministry simply means service.
There is much to be done for God’s kingdom, and he has and will gift and equip you to do it, but not alone. There is nothing like linking arms with your brothers and sisters in Christ to do Kingdom work together. Thank God for the people he has put around you in his body, and pray about how you can partner with them to do his work. How can you support and encourage one another? If you’re a part of Christ Fellowship, you can find out about ways to serve at cfhome.org/serve