Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: 1 Samuel 13-15
     New Testament Reading: Galatians 2

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned. For he regularly ate with the Gentiles before certain men came from James. However, when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision party. Then the rest of the Jews joined his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11-13).

This encounter between Paul and Peter probably happened in Antioch after Paul’s first missionary journey just before the first church council in Jerusalem in Acts 15. This council met because of a dispute that broke out in Antioch over the need for Gentiles to be circumcised to receive salvation. The Jerusalem Council declared that salvation is obtained through faith, not by adhering to the rules of Jewish Law.

Paul refers to Peter, his Greek name, by Cephas, his Aramaic name. This may be an indication that Paul saw him acting like a Jew and not exemplifying Christian behavior. When Peter first arrived, he regularly ate with the Gentiles. Peter had learned in a vision that God viewed all people equally. Yet when some influential Jews arrived in Antioch from, Peter withdrew and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision party (v12).

Peter’s actions caused a split between the Jewish and Gentile believers. Then the rest of the Jews joined his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy (v13). Paul confronted Peter in front of everyone, recounting what Peter knew was true. Neither Jew nor Geek is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified (v16).

Why did Paul rebuke Peter in public and not call him aside in private? The reason is simple: Peter’s actions were not only wrong; they harmed the lives of others. Even Barnabas felt the pull of cultural expectations and fell into hypocrisy. After sharing the Gospel with Gentiles and helping Paul establish churches among them, Barnabas got caught up in the prejudice of Jews who wanted to force Gentiles to get circumcised.

The story in Galatians doesn’t tell us how Peter responded to Paul’s rebuke, but church history shows that Peter once again became a stalwart of the faith. At the Jerusalem council, Peter made a passionate plea for the Christian Gospel in the face of strong opposition from Judaizing legalists (Acts 15:7-21).

Social pressure affects even the strongest Christians. Just ask Peter and Barnabas! As Believers, we must regularly examine ourselves and watch out for any signs of prideful discrimination in our hearts. If we look down on any individual who has been created in the image of God, we should stop and repent.

We do not have the right to live as we please and expect everyone else to look the other way. God’s standards of living apply to us all, and we are to help one another maintain them. Even if it involves private or public confrontations. But the rebukes we give should be offered with genuine love and concern for those who falter. There is no room in the body of Christ for disrespect or revenge.