What was the outcome when Paul and the Jerusalem leaders laid out their case line upon line?
After the case was set out line upon line and precept upon precept, Paul took the ascendancy, and the twelve in Jerusalem finally admitted Paul was right. They acknowledged the Lord was doing something different, now reaching the Gentile world, though God had not previously revealed this to those Jewish believers.
Les explains that when Paul and the Jerusalem leaders really sat down and laid line upon line and precept upon precept, the question was who was above and who was beneath. The outcome was that Paul took the ascendancy, and the twelve in Jerusalem had to finally admit, “Okay, Paul, you’re right.” They recognized that the Lord was evidently doing something different. Les clarifies that this does not take away from the twelve’s spiritual relationship with God; it was simply that God had not yet revealed to those Jewish believers at Jerusalem that He was doing something different. He connects this to Deuteronomy 29, where the secret things belong unto the Lord, and God reveals them when He is ready and not until. Once revealed, people are to believe. Peter and the eleven were not out of step with God or less spiritual; God had not yet revealed it to them.
But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
More Questions
Why did Paul say the Jerusalem leaders who 'seemed to be somewhat' made no difference to him?
The Jerusalem leaders who 'seemed to be somewhat' still thought they were in control, but it made no difference to Paul because God accepts no man's person.