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 [Gal. 2:9].
"The apostles accepted Paul’s apostleship. “The right hands of fellowship”—fellowship is the Greek koinonia, one of the great words of the gospel and the highest expression of a personal relationship. It means sharing the things of Christ." McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (Galatians) (electronic ed., Vol. 46, p. 31). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
1 Ti 6:3–5
To be sure, J. Vernon McGee offers many great Dispensational insights we can all learn from.
But just as often he ends up looking at a thing from a viewpoint that was allowed to become the final word when, in fact, further distinctions yet remained to be sorted out.
His take on the meeting between Paul and James, Cephas, and John there in Galatians 2, is one of those this great writer and teacher has continued to fall short in.
A close study of Acts 15 and Galatians 2 will show that what Paul is relating in Galatians 2 is that because of what happened in Acts 15 when he first tried to straighten some out on some things, he decided to meet with those three in private first, so as not have ended up wasting his time once more with their followers.
Sure enough, per Acts 15, after their meeting with Paul, first Peter, and then James, who was now in charge at Jerusalem, defend Paul's ministry among the Gentiles and the earlier trouble makers are put in check.
McGee is simply wrong. Paul was sent there to straighten them out - not the other way around.
As wrong as concluding that McGee has no Dispensationally sound contribution to make just because he is off at times on some things.
To conclude that about McGee is no better than the attitude of those in Acts 15, who when Paul tried to straighten them out; went against him simply because his understanding was not theirs, and visa versa, in some aspects.
oly: You already know it all. :idunno:
