What would have happened to Christianity if Paul had given in on requiring Gentile believers to follow the Mosaic law?
Christianity would have died, and the gospel as it is now known would have ended. The Jerusalem leaders' demand that Gentile believers submit to the Mosaic system would have nullified Paul's gospel, but sovereign grace prevented Paul from giving in and preserved the truth.
Les explains that there was a whole train load in the word “continue”—Paul’s gospel had to continue among the Gentiles. If the Jewish leaders at Jerusalem had convinced Paul that Gentile believers had to subject themselves to the Mosaic system, Christianity would have died; that would have been the end of it. It was all hanging in the balance: if Paul had given in, our gospel as we now know it would have died. But Paul did not give in, thanks to a sovereign God, the sovereign God of all grace, and God would not allow that outcome. Later, when James, Cephas (Peter), and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace given to Paul, they gave Paul and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, agreeing that Paul and Barnabas should go to the heathen, that is, the Gentiles, and they to the Jew.
To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
More Questions
Why did Paul refuse to give in to the pressure to add law keeping and circumcision?
Paul refused to yield to the pressure even for an hour (a minute), so that the truth of the Gospel might continue with the Galatians.
Why did Paul refuse to give in to the Jewish believers at Jerusalem?
Paul refused to give in to the Jerusalem leaders so that the truth of the Gospel might continue to reach the Galatian Gentile believers.
How did Paul respond to pressure to give up the Gospel of Grace?
Paul refused to give place to law keeping and circumcision for even an hour, or as we would say, a minute.