Galatians 2:9
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. 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.
James, Cephas, and John perceived God's grace and call at work in Paul and accepted him and Barnabas as fellow workers of equal standing, agreeing that Paul and Barnabas should go to the Gentiles and the heathen while they would go especially to the Jews and the circumcision. Peter and James were the only apostles then in Jerusalem, and after hesitation they gave Paul the right hand of fellowship because they could not withstand God, so that the once fierce persecutor formerly feared and avoided became as beloved and respected as a fellow believer. Their agreement supported the decision that Gentile believers were not required to submit to circumcision or keep the ceremonial law. To be pillars in the church means to be earnestly instructed in the truths of the Bible, to be champions for truth rooted and grounded in the faith, to have a genuine experience in divine things and to love and fear God. The right hand of fellowship is the welcome given when baptized candidates are received into full membership in the church, clasped by the minister as Christ's representative with their names registered upon the church book. It is also the church's welcome and approval given to teachers, so that to give it to men who bring in false theories glosses over and excuses sin and deadens discernment as to right principles.
Jerusalem Agreement and Division
At Jerusalem only Peter and James of the apostles were then present, and after hesitation they gave Paul the right hand of fellowship because they could not withstand God. The once fierce persecutor of the faith, formerly feared and avoided, became as much beloved and respected as a fellow believer. This welcome came after Barnabas testified to his conversion and ministry, when they recognized God's grace and work in him and no longer treated him as a feared persecutor. The meeting thus brings together the two grand characters of the new faith: Peter, one of the chosen companions of Christ while He was upon earth, and Paul, a Pharisee who since the ascension had met Jesus face to face and talked with Him and had also seen Him in vision and seen the nature of His work in heaven. James, Peter, and John perceived God's grace and call at work in Paul and accepted him and Barnabas as fellow workers of equal standing.
They agreed on a division of labor, that Paul and Barnabas should go to the Gentiles and the heathen, while James, Cephas, and John would go especially to the Jews and the circumcision. Peter, James, and John were appointed to preach Christ among their own countrymen and fellow Jews, while Paul received a distinct commission from God for a broad missionary field. Recognized Christian leaders thereby welcomed Paul and Barnabas into fellowship and affirmed their distinct work among the Gentiles. God made Paul's work and commission clear to him while he was praying in the temple, and prepared him for his extensive work through close communion and a vision of heaven's glory and beauty.
Their agreement supported the decision that Gentile believers were not required to submit to circumcision or keep the ceremonial law.
Pillars and Fellowship Meaning
To be pillars in the church is to be earnestly instructed in the truths of the Bible, to be champions for truth, rooted and grounded in the faith. It is to know what one believes and to have an experience in divine things that keeps one from betraying sacred trusts. This is the result of the best education bearing on the future immortal life, given by godly parents, devoted teachers, and the church. Its purpose is to make youth zealous missionaries for home or foreign fields.
Real pillars in the truth are believers who have a genuine experience in the things of God and who love and fear God. They are to be regarded with steady confidence, sympathy, love and closeness, not with suspicion, criticism, or uncordial words and attitudes. Changeable moods toward them when they do not treat others as above criticism or enter into every suggestion and plan do not bear the divine stamp. To slight or offend them or to speak against them to turn others against them grieves the Spirit of God.
The right hand of fellowship is the welcome given when baptized candidates are received into full membership in the church. It is clasped by the minister as the representative of Christ, and the names of those who receive it are registered upon the church book. It is a sign of acceptance into full church membership, and it has been extended to welcome candidates into full membership even when one wore jewelry and costly decorations contrary to the Bible's teaching on modest dress. The right hand of fellowship is also the church's welcome and approval given to teachers. Giving it to the very men who bring in false theories and sentiments glosses over and excuses sin, makes sin fashionable in the church, and deadens discernment and sensibilities as to what constitutes right principles.