Conduct in Step with the Gospel



GOSPEL 101

Galatians 2:11-16

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28

Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Romans 15:7

Review: The Gospel in Galatians 1:1-2:16

Shorthand Descriptions of the Gospel

  • Christological – The Gospel is about Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Son of God (1:1-4).
  • Historical – The Gospel is about actual events. Jesus was crucified, buried and raised from the dead in human history (1:1-4).
  • Biblical – The only true Gospel is that which God has revealed in the Old and New Testament Scriptures (1:6-12).
  • Theological – The Gospel is about particular doctrines related to the death and resurrection of Jesus such as sin, grace, forgiveness, redemption, justification and the atonement (1:1-2:16).
  • Personal - People must place their personal faith in Christ alone to be justified before God (2:15-16).
  • Practical – The Gospel has to do with our everyday conduct. We must live out the Gospel reflecting the grace and truth of Christ in all that we do – in fellowship with different groups of people (2:11-14), in caring for the poor (2:10), in relationships (6:1-10), and in many other ways. “The Gospel is to be applied to every area of our thinking, feeling, relating, working and behaving” (Keller).

A Case Study: The Practical Work of the Gospel (2:11-16)

A. The Conduct of Peter (2:11-13)

  1. What Peter Did: Separated Himself from the Gentiles (11-12)
  2. Why Peter Did It: Fear (12b)
  3. What Happened as a Result: Others Followed His Shameful Conduct (13)

B. The Conduct of Paul (2:14-16)

  1. What Paul Did: He Confronted Peter (11, 14)
  2. Why Paul Did It: Because the Gospel Was at Stake (14-16)
  3. What Happened as a Result: The Church Was Unified & the Gospel Was Preserved (Acts 15)

Applications for Us

  • Caution – Remember that even the best of leaders can fall.
  • Consistency – God is pleased with a long obedience in the same direction.
  • Courage – Standing for the Gospel can be a lonely business.
  • Compassion – Welcome eversy believer to table fellowship regardless of their cultural background because there are no second-class citizens in the kingdom of God.
  • Christ-likeness – Treat others the way Christ has treated you: with marvelous grace.