Submit To Evaluation - October 16

Read Galatians 2:1-2

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.

Reflect

Why is it important to evaluate whether or not our beliefs are consistent with Scripture? What is at stake if we teach a false gospel?

People have claimed to have been given new revelations from God many times over the course of history. Some, like Muhammad (Islam) and Joseph Smith (Mormonism) managed to create international followings with these “new teachings” and have led billions of people astray.

But what makes Paul’s revelation and ministry different from false prophets like Muhammad, Joseph Smith, and so many others? Well, one key difference is that when Paul submitted his revealed teaching to the 12 original apostles that Jesus appointed, his Gospel held up to scrutiny. He wasn’t preaching a message antithetical to the apostles’ teaching. He preached a message identical to their teaching.

In today’s verses, Paul continued to explain the timeline of his ministry and defend himself against the false accusations of the Judaizers. In the verses that precede today’s passage, Paul emphasized that he had spent very little time in Jerusalem and that he didn’t consult with the leaders of the early church in Jerusalem. Instead, he received his instruction in the Gospel straight from the Lord.

But about 14 years later, Paul was called by a revelation of the Lord to go to Jerusalem and he took Barnabas and Titus with him (his ministry partners). While there, he first met privately with the leaders of the church to settle the matter of whether or not Gentile converts had to adhere to Mosaic law and get circumcised.

Paul said that he merely took the message he had been preaching to Gentiles and set it before the apostles for their approval. Paul received his Gospel message independently from the other apostles and yet, it was determined that the message Jesus had revealed to Paul was the same message that Jesus had taught to the other apostles. Therefore, it was trustworthy and Paul could be counted as a trustworthy apostle. For the backstory on this, check out Acts 15.

The bottom line is this—any “new” teaching or “revelation” must line up with Scripture and apostolic authority or it is a lie. The apostle John wrote: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

Many false prophets have gone out into the world and they have deceived billions of people. We were warned that this would occur. We know that Satan is a deceiver and the father of lies (John 8:44). He doesn’t want people to know the truth so he sends out false prophets with false revelations.

But we can rest assured that Paul’s teachings are the true Gospel because his teachings are in line with the full counsel of God’s Word. In fact, that is how we test a message to know if it is true! We have to submit every teaching, every thought, every idea to the authority of Scripture and evaluate them to see if they are true. Have you ever taken the time to evaluate what you believe in light of Scripture? Are there any worldly messages that you need to submit to evaluation?

Respond

Lord, I hear so many messages every day. I know many of them are sweet sounding lies. Help me to discern truth from error by evaluating every new claim in light of Your Word. Your Word is truth (John 17:17). Amen.

Reveal

Pick one spiritual claim you’ve heard this week (from a reel, podcast, or conversation), then text a thoughtful friend who doesn’t share your beliefs: “I’m trying to sort out what I believe—would you grab coffee and help me think this through?” Bring a short, original-source passage (Galatians 1:1–10 or 2:1–5 printed on a page). Together, ask three simple questions: Where did this claim come from? What does this passage actually say? Does the claim add anything to grace? Let them speak first, name what confuses you, resist debating, and thank them for lending their mind. You’ll be practicing Paul’s posture—testing ideas humbly—and giving someone you care about a clear, gentle look at the gospel’s center.