Galatians 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
12 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.
13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14 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, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
As we had mentioned, the first 10 verses of this chapter refer to the Jerusalem counsel that was called to deal with the matter of the Gospel. Now we see that Peter left Jerusalem and came to Antioch. There are two cities named Antioch in the book of Acts. This one was in Syria. It was the place where the followers of Jesus Christ were first called Christians.
We read here that Peter had not grasped the significance of the discussions in Jerusalem. He was an apostle and had even participated in the discussions in Jerusalem, but as we see in this passage, he did not have clear Biblical convictions on the important matter of the Gospel. He was an apostle, but in need of some further teaching in the form of a public rebuke.
He did not lose his place as an apostle, but was likely quite ashamed of himself for the destructive nature of his actions here.
In verse 12 we read of the problem that Peter was causing. Those that came from James would be Jewish Christians. The text tells us that before these Jewish Christians arrived in Antioch, Peter was willing to sit and eat with the Gentile Christians. However, when the Jewish Christians arrived, Peter withdrew himself from the Gentile Christians. He did not want to accept the fact that all Christians are saved by grace without works. The Pharisees had taught a false purpose of circumcision for years and Peter and the other Jews that came to this meeting, held to the corrupt Pharisaical views, rather than the truth. Peter had spent 3+ years under the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, but his past was still heavily engrained in his life. We see how powerful false teaching is and how it must be cast off by the true child of God.
The text tells us he was intimidated by the Jewish Christians. Even supposed “pillars” can be intimidated. No true child of God is so strong that they cannot fall. The only hope and security is in humbly submitting to the Word and will of God. Peter was not doing that here. The Jerusalem counsel had been assembled to affirm God’s way of salvation. Circumcision had nothing to do with salvation. Salvation has always been by grace through faith. However, in the presence of the Jewish saints, Peter was demonstrating that circumcision made a person a better person. This was heresy.
In verse 13 we see the negative impact that Peter’s false idea was having. Other Jews joined him in a class warfare. Even Barnabas, Paul’s companion in the ministry at that time, was caught up in this heresy. This could not carry on.
We see the importance of doctrinal purity. The Judaizers were around at that time. They taught a “works salvation”. That was no salvation at all. Paul had already addressed that in chapter 1. It was a shame for Peter to be promoting this heresy, even though he was not a Pharisee. He did not seem to realize the damage he was doing. Obviously he was grieving the Holy Spirit, Who dwelt inside Peter.
God directed Paul to address this matter. Paul had a background as a Pharisee. He knew all about their works salvation. He knew it was wrong. God directed him to confront Peter on this matter.
In verse 14 Paul addressed this problem before them all. This was not a matter to pull Peter aside and correct him in private. This action of Peter was ruining God’s Truth. All those present needed to be reminded that heresy cannot stand in a Christian community. This was a Christian community. Peter was an apostle as was Paul. Barnabas was Paul’s assistant at this time. They were the leaders. The others were assembled as well, but they were not the leaders. However, they needed to understand that this false division could not stand among brethren.
Paul confronted Peter publicly and addressed the matter so that there was no confusion in the minds of those in attendance. It would also be an important lesson for future generations.
Paul reminded Peter that he as a Jew lived after the manner of the Gentiles. He was saved by grace just like the Gentiles were. Why then was he trying to use a faulty separation to try to intimidate the Gentiles to be circumcised and live like the Jews.
We have noted before that circumcision was a law God gave to Abraham. It was something that Abraham needed to teach to his male descendants and to his male servants. All Jewish males needed to be circumcised at eight days of age. No eight day old child is saved by an act forced upon them by their parents.
Salvation cannot be forced upon anyone. Some false religions look at this law and they use “infant baptism” which is nothing, as a “type” of circumcision. They do not understand the purpose of circumcision and they assume that when that little baby has a little water sprinkled on it, its “original sin” is washed away. Now they need to go through the catechism and then confirmation, etc. and maybe they will be saved.
God made sure that the heresy that Peter was promoting was addressed and exposed early. There are too many religions today that have a works salvation. No one is saved by works. It is faith in God’s provision of salvation that is required. Those who truly repent toward God and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ will be changed. They now need to examine all that they have believed in the Light of God’s Word. They need to:
II Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Peter had not done this. He and other saved Jews were holding on to heresy and that needed to stop.
The Bible teaches repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. That message must be proclaimed far and wide.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
God’s salvation is not complicated. It is simple enough for a child to understand and receive. It is adults, who should know better, who complicate it and make it so that children and adults are confused. In Luke 17 Jesus warned of those who would cause offences. He warned of those who would attempt to keep children from the truth. He said it would be better for them to have a millstone put around their neck and they be drowned in the sea.
Jesus was not telling saints to go and kill false teachers. He was saying that His judgment of false teachers will be harsh but it will be just. An eternity in the lake of fire is not a good thing. There will be many who will face that judgment because they would rather corrupt the Gospel than believe it and pass it on to others. Avoiding the Truth does not make it go away. Designating certain passages of the Scriptures “hate speech” does not make them go away. All that does is bring further condemnation on the rebels. Be sure you know the Truth and submit to the Truth.
Pastor Bartel