Oxford Bible Church - Living in the Last Days (audio)

At the conclusion of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), not only did Peter, James and John confirm that Paul preached the true Gospel, but they also acknowledged him as the apostle to the Gentiles, just as Peter was the apostle to the Jews. Thus, they perceived that Paul was an apostle of the first rank, of equal status to themselves. On that basis they publicly offered him the right hand of fellowship, signifying they were partners together in the Gospel. Their only request was that he remember the poor, a reminder that the Gospel of Grace should naturally bring forth good works. However, later when Peter visited Antioch, Paul had to confront Peter publicly, because his behaviour was undermining the Gospel of Grace. By not eating with the Gentile believers, Peter was implying that there was something lacking in their justification and full acceptance by God.

We continue our study showing how Paul fought for the true Gospel at the Jerusalem Council, taking an in-depth look at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, and harmonising it with Galatians 2. We also review other challenges to the Gospel of Grace that took place later in Church history, such as the Pelagian heresy and modern liberalism. Finally, we note how Paul was no respecter of persons. Although he honoured the original apostles as true apostles of Christ, he insisted that as men, they were capable of being wrong, and so were not above judgment and accountability.

Paul's letter to the Galatians is the first and most fundamental of all his letters because it establishes the Gospel of Grace. He expresses himself so strongly, because there is no room for compromise on the Gospel. We must stand firm and defend the true Gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). The first attack against the Gospel in Church history came from legalism, and it was the issue before the first Church Council in Acts 15. We show how Galatians 2:1-6 harmonises with Acts 15.

In their efforts to discredit Paul and his message, the false-teachers were claiming that he preached a man-made message designed to please the Gentiles, having distorted the true message that he had learned from the apostles in Jerusalem. Paul answers this accusation by declaring that he did not receive the Gospel that he preaches from man, but rather that it came through the direct revelation of Jesus Christ (v11-12).

In order to prove his point, (1) he describes his life in Judaism before he met Jesus and was saved (v13-14), then (2) he describes how God dramatically saved him by His grace, revealing Christ to Him and in Him, and called Him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles (v15-16a), and then (3) he describes his life during the first few years after his conversion (v16b-24), pointing out that he did not immediately confer with any of the apostles in Jerusalem concerning the Gospel, but rather lived in Damascus and Arabia, and only made a brief 2-week visit to Jerusalem after 3 years to get acquainted with Peter, after which he went to preach in Syria and Cilicia, far away from Jerusalem and Judea (v16b-24) - we see how this account harmonises with Acts 9:19-31.

This all proves that Paul received his Gospel and apostleship directly from God, independently from the other apostles. In fact, he only went to Jerusalem to discuss his Gospel with the other apostles 14 years after his conversion, and at that time they agreed that God had called him to be the apostle to the Gentiles, and they also endorsed the Gospel that he preached, and added nothing to it (2:1-10, see also Acts 15).

Paul declares that all those who preach a false Gospel of 'faith + works' for salvation are 'anathema' (devoted to destruction), for by adding human works to the finished work of Christ, as being necessary for salvation, they distort and corrupt the true Gospel of Grace,

which is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes (Romans 1:16-17).

Thus, they not only deny the completed work of Christ on the Cross, but they also lead their hearers astray into trusting in themselves and their works for salvation, which will inevitably result in their eternal condemnation. We also see how Paul describes his dramatic conversion to Christ, in order to prove that the Gospel that he preached did not come from man, but directly from God through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul declares that his apostleship and message (the Gospel of Grace) came directly from God the Father, through the Son (the Lord Jesus). We explore the content of this Gospel of Grace, which declares that Christ's completed work on the Cross is an all-sufficient basis for our salvation, so that we must simply put all our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone to be saved. We see why other so-called gospels, which add man's works (to Christ's work) as a necessary condition for our salvation, are in fact not gospels at all (they are bad news, not good news), and are worthy of our full rejection, because they dishonour Christ, for they teach that what He did for us in His death and resurrection was incomplete and insufficient for our salvation, which would mean that His dying declaration from the Cross: "It is finished - the price is paid in full" (John 19:30) was actually untrue.

We explore the background to the letter of Galatians and how it fits perfectly in with the Book of Acts. Being the first letter in the Bible that Paul wrote, it is appropriate that it deals with the fundamental truths of the Gospel of Grace. We see how Paul begins the letter by defending both his apostolic authority and his message - the Gospel of grace. The letter of Galatians has proven vital throughout Church history in delivering the Church from the false gospel of faith plus works. In fact, Galatians played an essential role in Martin Luther's life and in the Protestant Reformation.

Pastor Derek discusses with Anne Dawson the place of the UK in Bible Prophecy. Derek makes the case that the UK is Biblical Tarshish. He shows how the scriptures on Tarshish show she is the UK (not Spain). God used the Tarshish nations in the world wars, and to enable Israel's Rebirth. Also, the Tarshish prophecies require Brexit. This is a sign that God is raising the UK up again to fulfil her call and destiny. This is confirmed by the special mention of Tarshish and her young lions in Ezekiel 38:13, as opposing the invasion of Israel by Russia, Iran, Turkey and many other nations in the end times. Derek and Anne also discuss the upcoming and imminent end-time invasion of Israel, prophesied in Ezekiel 38-39

Pastor Derek discusses with Anne Dawson the issue of the 3 Days and 3 Nights between Christ's Death and Resurrection on Revelation TV's Speaker's Corner. Jesus rose 'on the 3rd day' 'and 'after 3 days & 3 nights.' How do we resolve this prophetic paradox? Derek gives proofs for the Crucifixion on Passover, Friday April 1st AD 33 (our calendar), and the Resurrection at Firstfruits, Sunday Dawn. But how can this be 3 days & 3 nights (Matthew 12:40)? See how God solved the paradox!

Pastor Derek discusses the issue of Lordship Salvation with Howard Condor on Revelation TV's Speaker's Corner. Is submission to Christ's Lordship necessary to receiving salvation.What is a true saving faith? Is it just believing in the Gospel? Can you receive and trust in Jesus as your Saviour without receiving and submitting to Him as your Lord? Since sin is rebellion against God, can we be saved without submitting to God? What is the repentance God requires for us to be saved?