Here we have a sad and troubling report of the Apostle Paul and the
Apostle Peter in conflict! I am sure that some will find this shocking
and disturbing. It seems unthinkable that two of the great heroes of
the faith - “Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ” – would engage in a heated controversy and
division! And yet, it happened and it still happens today, even among
good Christian men and ministries.
“But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face,
because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James,
he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and
separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the
other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also
was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they
walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto
Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, live after the manner of
Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compel thou the Gentiles to live
as do the Jews” (Gal. 2:11-14  )?
Here we have a sad and
troubling report of the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter in conflict!
I am sure that some will find this shocking and disturbing. It seems
unthinkable that two of the great heroes of the faith - “Men that have
hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” – would
engage in a heated controversy and division! And yet, it happened and
it still happens today, even among good Christian men and ministries.
To
find an answer to the question, “Why do good men disagree?” – is not
easy in every case. We know that most controversies are generated at an
emotional level and are, therefore, avoidable. We are reminded, “If it
be possible,” we are to “live peaceably with all men” (Rom 12:18).
However, there are times when disagreement and separation is necessary.
We are to, “Fight the good fight of faith” (1Tim. 6:12 ). One such time
was Paul’s confrontational disagreement with the Apostle Peter.
At
the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15 ), the questions, “What is the Gospel?”
and “What must a person do to be saved?” were settled. According to Dr.
C. I. Scofield, “Dispensationally, this the most important passage in
the New Testament. It gives the divine purpose for this age and for the
beginning of the next” (Page 1169). A transition was taking place. (See
my tract: “Have You Made the Transition?” - WWW. BDTLB.org). God was
shifting gears! A change was taking place because of the death, burial
and resurrection of Christ! “Christ is the end of the Law for
righteousness to every one that believeth” (Rom 10:4 ). If that means
anything, it means that neither Jews or Gentiles have to keep the
Jewish Law to be saved or holy! Salvation comes by “faith” in the
faithfulness of Christ (Gal. 2:16,20 ) and holiness comes by, “walking
in the Spirit” (Rom. 8:4 ). We are free from the Mosaic Law! We are
“dead to the Law” (Gal. 2:19 ). We are not bound by all those laws and
ceremonies.
At this first church council, a great fight took place
because the Judaizers wanted to enslave the Gentile converts to their
legalism ({/bible}Acts 15:5{/bible}). According to Galatians 2, Paul defended “that
Gospel” which he preached (Gal. 2:2 ) – specifically the gospel which,
“was not according to man, for he had not received it from any man; he
had not been taught it.” That gospel had come to him by direct
“revelation” given to him “by Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:11-17 ). Concerning
this gospel he warned, “Though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any
other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let
him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8 ).
At the same time, James, Peter and
John, (the “Pillars” of the Jerusalem Church) “extended the right hands
of fellowship to Paul and Barnabas” to verify the authenticity of
Paul’s gospel being sent to the “heathen” and to re-affirm Peter’s
apostolic authority to preach the Gospel to the Jews.
Both Paul
and Peter had an active and fruitful ministry. They had labored for a
considerable time under the Scriptural guidelines set forth in Acts 15
and Galatians 2. Both believed in the oneness of Jews and Gentiles who
believed in Christ. Peter testified, “God, which knows the hearts, bare
them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, as He did unto us; and put no
difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith” (Acts
15:8-9). However, by the time Peter comes to the Antioch Church, which
was composed largely of Gentiles, Peter played the part of a coward and
a hypocrite because of the “fear of them…the circumcision.” He believed
one thing but behaved in a contrary manner. He “walked not uprightly
according to the truth of the gospel!” This is what ignited the
controversy between Paul and Peter! The very barrier that once stood
between both Jews and Gentiles - once removed by the finished work of
Christ - was in danger of being rebuilt (Gal. 2:18 ).
Lesson: The
church cannot be run on legalism and be Christian in the Biblical sense
of the word! Though we are sympathetic to, and can understand the
pressure and intimidation brought to bear on Peter and others – (He
even seduced Barnabas to frustrate the Gospel of God’s Grace (Gal.
2:13) - Peter was wrong and was to “blame.” Truth cannot be compromised
without conflict. In this sad incident, we learn that it is better to
follow Paul than Peter. Peter stumbled and wobbled occasionally in his
spiritual life. His example is a reminder that we all are “smeared with
the same stick!” We need to “walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as
wise” (Eph. 5:15 ).
Thankfully, Peter recovered from this strong
censure of the Apostle Paul (2 Peter 3:15-16 ) and serves as an
encouragement to all when the finger of “blame” is pointed at us –
there is hope and grace of our recovery too!
Evangelist S. Lee Homoki
January, 2007
Notice:
There is never any charge for these BIBLE BRIEFS. We ask only for your
prayers and a free-will offering if the Lord prospers you. You may also
receive these studies by downloading them from our Web Site,
WWW.BDTLB.org.
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