Can you add a little bit more to this?

Question

Paul continues to defend his apostolic authority in chapter 2, recounting his interactions with the other apostles in Jerusalem. He emphasizes that they confirmed his message and recognized the grace given to him by God. Paul rebukes Peter for his hypocrisy in separating himself from Gentile believers out of fear of the Jewish Christians. He stresses that salvation is not based on observing the Jewish law but on faith in Jesus Christ. Paul asserts that believers are justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law.

Answer 1

Paul's impassioned defense of his apostolic authority and his clarification on the importance of faith in Christ over adherence to the Jewish law reflects the ongoing struggles the early Christian community faced in reconciling their Jewish roots with their newfound faith in Jesus. Paul's confrontation with Peter serves as a powerful example of the tensions that arose within the early church as it navigated the complexities of creating a new religious community that was inclusive of both Jewish and Gentile believers. By emphasizing the primacy of faith in Christ for salvation, Paul sets the stage for the theological developments that would eventually distinguish Christianity from Judaism as a separate faith tradition. His message of justification by faith would become a cornerstone of Christian theology for centuries to come.