Paul 1.12

Nicanor was surprised but delighted to see us. He brought several leaders of the Greek speaking assembly together to break bread that evening. He also dispatched one of his servants to the house of James, the Lord's brother. James sent back word to meet him, Cephas, and John the son of Zebedee at the house of John Mark in the Essene Quarter the third hour after dawn. It was a bit of an insult that he did not invite us to dine at even with them, but I was at least glad they would meet with us.

At first Barnabas did not want to take Titus to the meeting, but I persuaded him otherwise. Titus represented the truth of the gospel, and I wanted to see whether they really believed the gospel was good news to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews.

A servant girl named Rhoda welcomed us into the house in the morn. She led us to the upper room where the Spirit had fallen on that great Day of Pentecost some twenty years ago. On our way, John Mark came up, kissed Barnabas, and embraced him.

"Peace, brother Saul," he said to me in Aramaic. He eyed Titus with curiosity.

"Grace and peace to you, brother Mark," I replied.

When we came into the room, Peter and John stood up immediately and came over to us, while James remained seated. They kissed Barnabas and embraced. Then they greeted me with a kiss as well. Finally, James stood up.

They bid Barnabas and me to recline with them. Titus of course remained standing. James addressed Barnabas.

"We have rejoiced to hear of the many Jews that have come to believe on Jesus as Lord and Christ from your mission," he said.

"Yes," Barnabas replied. "And many Gentiles have believed on Jesus as Lord as well."

"We rejoice in that as well," Cephas added. "We have known that God was at work among them since He first decided to bring the gospel to them by my mouth."

I spoke up. "Indeed, Titus himself here is a fruit of the gospel. Although he is uncircumcised in his skin, his heart is truly circumcised." Titus could tell we were talking about him, but couldn't understand us, since he didn't know Aramaic.

I saw a slight twinge in James, but Peter nodded. John smiled slightly.

Barnabas continued. "Many have believed on Jesus as Titus has, both in Cyprus and throughout Roman Galatia, places like Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. We have come here privately because there are many who say believers like Titus cannot escape God's coming wrath unless they submit to circumcision, unless they become a part of Israel.

"But we have run as we have, believing that you agree with us. Since the Spirit fell on Cornelius when he was uncircumcised, we have proceeded with the conviction that the Gentiles can escape God's coming wrath even in uncircumcision. If they are baptized in the name of Jesus as Messiah, then they will be saved."

James seemed to ponder for a moment. Peter and John were nodding.

"This seems right to me," James finally said. "God offered up Jesus as an atoning sacrifice for sins, and our baptism in his name saves us from the wrath to come. God will surely honor the faithfulness of Jesus even to forgive the sins of the Gentiles."

Barnabas seemed to sigh. I'll confess that I was greatly relieved as well. I looked at Titus and smiled.

"It seems, brother Paul, that God has appointed you as an apostle to the Gentiles," James said, standing up. "Just as God has appointed Peter to preach to the Jews beyond these walls of Jerusalem, God seems to have called you to the Gentiles."

He finally offered his right hand to shake, a hand of fellowship and sanction. Cephas and John also offered us their hands.

As we were leaving, James had one final word. "It occurs to me that one way that the Gentiles can show God their gratefulness for His mercy and grace is to share their blessings with the poor of Jerusalem. There are many poor here, and the assembly always struggles to meet the needs."

"I had already thought of this very thing," I said in response. "As the prophet Isaiah said, 'I will bring prosperity to Zion like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing spring.'"

"Amen," Cephas said.

"Peace be with you," I said, and Titus and I left. Since Barnabas' family lived here, he stayed behind to visit further.