Timothy's Preparation for Ministry

Paul and Barnabas' decision to separate found Paul departing from Antioch with Silas. They headed north and west through Syria into Cilicia, eventually arriving in Lycaonia and the cities of Derbe and Lystra. There the pair encountered a young Christian named Timothy whom Paul determined to take with them as they continued their mission. Though Timothy was a recent convert to Christ, he was solidly grounded in the Scriptures and Paul believed he'd be very useful to the work of the gospel. But first Timothy needed to be circumcised. At first glance this appears to contradict the decision of the Jerusalem Council, and many have accused Paul of duplicity and even hypocrisy because of it. The truth is, his action was in perfect accord with the council's decree (as well as his later instruction concerning circumcision in his epistles.) This sermon considers how that is the case.