How Many False Claims Did Paul Make in Galatians Chapter Two?
How many false claims did Pharisee Paul make in the second chapter of his letter to the Galatians? From Galatians 2:6-9,
1. James & the Apostles saw that the “Gospel of the Uncircumcision” was committed to Paul
2. James & the Apostles decided that Paul & Barnabas should go into all the world to preach to the gentiles, while James & the Apostles should focus on circumcised Jews!!
It was demonstrated previously that in Acts 15:13-14, James actually identifies Peter as the first real Apostle to the Gentiles. Peter was a real Apostle, & gentiles received the Ruach Elohim or “Holy Spirit” as Peter spoke to them in Acts chapter 10. Similarly, the Samaritans received the Ruach Elohim in Acts chapter 8(see Appendix) when the true Apostles Peter & John prayed for them & laid their hands on them. That happened while Paul the pharisee was still making “havoc” of the church & wickedly persecuting the followers of our Savior(Acts 9:1-2)!
Galatians 2:6-9
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 added nothing to me: But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Acts 15:7,13-14
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe...And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
In addition, Matthew 28:16-20 reveals that our Risen Savior intended all of His Disciples to be Apostles to the Gentiles.
Matthew 28:16-20
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Yahusha had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Yahusha came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them... Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
In reality, it is widely acknowledged that most of YAHUSHA's Twelve Apostles did go & evangelize all over the world.
Apostolic Travels
Peter: martyred in Rome after having evangelized in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Betania, & Asia
Andrew: marytred in Greece after evangelizing in Georgia/Bulgaria area, next to the Black Sea, near Turkey
Bartholomew: martyred in Armenia after he evangelized in India & gave the Matthew's Gospel to India
James, son of Alphaeus: stoned to death in Jerusalem while preaching there
James, son of Zebedee: Apostle John’s brother. was killed by Herod while preaching in Judea
John, son of Zebedee: wrote the Gospel of John, exiled to isle of Patmos, & died in Ephesus.
Matthew: wrote Gospel of Matthew, evangelized in Iran
Phillip: evangelized in Turkey, & martyred there in Hierapolis
Simon the Zealot: bishop of Jerusalem after James, died in Jerusalem
Thaddaeus: missionary to Iraq, Syria, Turkey, & Iran
Thomas: evangelized in Iran, Afghanistan, & India. Martyred in India
Matthias: Preached in Jerusalem, & was buried there
( Source for "Apostolic Travels": https://www.quora.com/Where-did-each-of-the-apostles-travel-after-Christs-ascension )
In contrast, Paul claims that James & the Apostles all decided that Paul & Barnabas should go into all the world to preach to uncircumcised gentiles, while James & the Apostles focus on circumcised Jews. Thus Paul is really claiming that the Apostles all decided to disobey the main instruction or Great Commission that they had received from our Risen Saviour!! Paul is making a remarkably false claim, without any corroboration or anything in the rest of the Scriptures to indicate that the Apostles all decided to abandon & disobey the explicit instructions of our Risen Saviour! Paul's false claim about the disciples is clearly disproven by the fact that most of them did go to evangelize all over the world.
3. On the question of whether gentiles should be circumcised to receive salvation, in Gal 2:9-10 Paul claims the Jerusalem Council advised that they simply “remember the poor.”
In reality, from Acts 15:13-22, we see that the Jerusalem Council actually directed that the gentile believers in Messiah should abstain from idolatry, sexual immorality, things strangled or improperly slaughtered meats, & from blood.
In Galatians 2:9-10, Paul is seen giving false information to the Galatians about the decision of the Jerusalem Council. Instead of informing the Galatians of the four items that gentile believers were to avoid, he suggested that the Council only wanted them to remember the poor! Of course, this is totally irrelevant to the question of whether gentiles should be circumcised to receive salvation! This is also proven false & misleading by Acts 15:13-22. How unfortunate that the self-proclaimed “Apostle to the Gentiles” felt the need to mislead the Galatians about the Council’s decision, which was so specifically pertinent for all gentile believers in the Messiah!
Galatians 2:9-10
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Acts 15:13-22
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name...Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren
The Jerusalem Council clearly decided that gentiles did not have to be immediately circumcised to be saved, but they should abstain from idolatry, sexual immorality, things strangled, & blood while they learn more of YHWH's Scriptures in the synagogues on the Sabbath day.
Acts 16:4 does indicate that Paul did initially distribute information regarding the decision of the council to cities that he went to. Yet the fact remains that Paul never mentions the decision of the Acts 15 Jerusalem Council even once in any of his letters that have been included in the New Testament Scriptures. In Galatians 2:9-10, Paul is clearly giving false information to the Galatians about the decision of the Jerusalem Council. This definitely appears to be in blatant violation of Deuteronomy 17:8-13!
Deuteronomy 17:8-13
If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which YHWH thy Elohim shall choose; And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and enquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment: And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which YHWH shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee: According to the sentence of the Torah(Law) which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left. And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before YHWH thy Elohim, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel. And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.
In regards to Pharisee Paul’s backstabbing of the Apostle Peter, in Gal 2:11-14 Paul claims that:
4. Peter got to Antioch before Judas & Silas
5. Peter ate with gentiles before Judas & Silas got to Antioch but withdrew from the Gentiles , “fearing them of the circumcision”, once Judas & Silas got to Antioch
6. Paul publicly scolded Peter to his face, implying that Peter was a Jew who was living like a Gentile…
Galatians 2:11-14
But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Acts 15:22-34
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Acts 15:22-34 makes it clear that Paul, Barnabas, Judas, & Silas all left Jerusalem together, & went to Antioch with the letter (listing the four items Gentiles were to avoid). Peter was part of the Jerusalem Council that heard Paul & Barnabas’ question. There was simply no way Peter could have gotten to Antioch before Judas, Silas, Paul, & Barnabas. Again, Judas, Silas, Paul, & Barnabas left together for Antioch after the Council gave its decision, while Peter remained in Jerusalem. There’s no mention of Peter leaving Jerusalem for Antioch in Acts 15 or anywhere else in the New Testament Scriptures! In addition, Paul's claims of scolding the Apostle Peter are completely uncorroborated by any other New Testament Scriptures! Hence, Paul’s claims in Gal 2:11-14 could not possibly be true.
Furthermore, Acts 11:1-18 documents that Peter had already openly described to “those of the circumcision” in Jerusalem how Cornelius & his family received the Ruach Elohim as Peter spoke with them. Those of the circumcision praised Elohim, & acknowledged that our Heavenly Father had granted to gentiles repentance unto life also, & that they were not to be considered unclean. There would be absolutely no need for Peter to be “fearful” of “those of the circumcision” as he had already openly acknowledged "to those of the circumcision" in Jerusalem that he had been eating with & fraternizing with uncircumcised men in Acts 11:1-18.
Acts 11:1-18
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Finally in regards to Paul’s disagreement with Barnabas, Paul claims that
7. Barnabas was “carried away” with Peter’s hypocritical behavior, hence the split up of Barnabas & Paul.
Gal 2:11-13
But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed… & the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
Acts 15:36-40
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
Acts 15:36-40 documents that Paul & Barnabas actually had a major disagreement over whether Mark should accompany them on their upcoming travels. Paul & Barnabas had this major disagreement only once, & never worked together again.
Acts 15 & Galatians 2 both start with the same initial conflict, men from Judea came to Antioch preaching that gentiles must be circumcised in order to be saved. Both chapters mention Barnabas & Paul being sent to Jerusalem to question the Apostles & Elders about the gentile circumcision issue, as well as the discussion in Jerusalem. Both chapters also mention this final major disagreement between Paul & Barnabas following the resolution of the gentile circumcision issue. This clearly indicates that both chapters are referring to the same basic sequence of events. Acts 15 appears to clearly be the more objective & correct account. In contrast, Galatians 2 appears to be Paul’s embellished & self serving version. Please consider the table below as a summary indicating that Gal 2 & Acts 15 are describing the same sequence of events.
Table 1: Showing That Acts 15 & Galatians 2 Are Referring to Same Sequence of Events
Overlooking his arrogant & unfortunate dismissal of our Saviour’s true Apostles in Galatians 2:6-9, it’s really quite impressive how many false statements the self-proclaimed “apostle to the gentiles” makes to the Galatians in Galatians 2! Is Galatians 2 the dishonesty that Paul admitted in 2 Co12:16? Are these the LIE(s) that Paul was referring to in Romans 3:7?
Passages Referred to in Above Text
Romans 3:7
For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my LIE unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
2 Corinthians 12:16
But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with GUILE.
