Confronting Compromise

Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman Empire - the population was more than half a million - around 65,000 of those inhabitants were Jewish.

Antioch became the home base for the first major expansion of Christianity outside of Palestine.

The events in todays passage occur early in the history of the church. Even though the gospel has broken through to the Gentile the full implications of how Jewish Christianity and Gentile Christianity could come together.

The controversy at Antioch was more than a clash between two apostles; it was a collision between two ways of being Christian.

Raising for us the ever-pressing question of the tension between Christ and culture.

Galatians 2:11–14 CSB

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned. 12 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. 13 Then the rest of the Jews joined his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas in front of everyone, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel Gentiles to live like Jews?”

FYI - believers in Jesus were first called Christians at Antioch.

The reason Paul tells this story it appears the reason is not to slam Peter for his actions but to show Paul has the same authority as the other apostles.

We have freedom in Christ and it is not just for show.

Peter made a habit of eating with the Gentiles he was ministering to. This was not a problem, as a matter of fact Jesus did the very same thing - ate with sinners.

One of the great things about our freedom in Christ is that we do not have to worry about breaking the rules to share the gospel. This of course does not give us license to be immoral or willfully commit sins.

Our freedom gives the opportunity to reach people, to go places and make connections that following legalistic, arbitrary rules limits.

We cannot compromise to make the world like us.

Peter’s issue wasn’t that he was eating with the Gentiles - the issue was once the Judaizers showed up he pretended to do something else - hypocrisy.

He compromised the gains he made by treating the Gentiles a certain way by yielding to the pressure of the culture.

When we compromise it may lead others away from the truth too.

Not only did Peter act hypocritically but his actions led the other Jews, and Barnabas to act the same way.

Romans 14:13 “13 Therefore, let us no longer judge one another. Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister.”

1 Corinthians 8:9 “9 But be careful that this right of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block to the weak.”

Not that there is any punishment worse than hell but if there was I would imagine anyone who caused someone else to miss Jesus or turn form the truth would find out what it is.

We cannot be afraid to confront those compromising the truth.

Again, Paul didn’t confront to Peter to make him look bad, he confronted him to put him on the right path, to protect the gospel.

As always, our goal should be to bring restoration to those who are compromising.