Liberated- Part 5

Introduction- Galatians 2:11-16

Last week we considered the controversy surrounding the mixture of law and grace.

We considered the journey which Paul, Barnabas, and Titus made to Jersualem and the outcome of the meetings which they were involved in there.

There were some in the church at Judea who sought to impose the law upon the Gentile believers in an attempt to bring believers back into bondage.

These Paul opposed and as a result refused to allow Titus to submit to circumcision, knowing that this would reinforce their heresy.

In the end the leaders in the church of Judea expressed total agreement with Paul’s perspective and encouraged Paul to continue to preach the gospel among the Gentiles in precisely the same manner which he had been.

The passage we will consider today records another series of events which would serve to further show the danger which these opinions presented to the health of the church.

The Confrontation (Vs. 11-12)

It is important here to note that as we read this epistle we have what is essentially a one-sided conversation not knowing precisely the details of the accusations which had evidently been made against Paul and his ministry among the Galatians.

It would seem that the false teachers which were now attempting to exert their influence in the churches of Galatia identified themselves with the church in Judea and its leadership and painted Paul as a rebel who was preaching and teaching a gospel of his own design.

This may be why Paul relates these events as he does—to show that he had the support of the leadership there and that his authority as an apostle was no less than theirs.

Here Paul relates a confrontation which he had with Peter surrounding these issues in order to show the strength of his convictions.

Apparently some time after the meeting in Jerusalem, Peter journeyed to Antioch to visit the church there.

It is important to know that the church at Antioch was likely the largest and most well established church in the Gentile world at this time.

During Peter’s time there Paul describes a confrontation which they had where he states that he “withstood him (Peter) to the face.”

This was a public confrontation between Paul and Peter which came about because of Peter’s behavior.

Peter had come to Antioch initially it would seem by himself without any company of other believers accompanying him.

When Peter first arrived at Antioch he ate with the Gentile believers—enjoying fellowship with them just as he would with Jewish believers.

This was in accordance with what had already been revealed to Peter by the Lord Jesus and which Peter himself now affirmed was his conviction with regard to fellowshipping with the Gentiles.

Acts 10:27–28 “And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”

Acts 15:7–11 “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”

These two passages show what Peter believed concerning the Gentiles and what led him to fellowship with them without reservation as fellow believers and brethren.

Peter’s behavior in Antioch initially was in accordance with these beliefs—but then there was a company of believers which joined him at Antioch which had come from James—the leader of the church at Jerusalem.

The statement that they were come from James gives no indication that they were sent by James—only that they were come from the church that he led.

When these arrived in Antioch, suddenly there was a change in Peter’s behavior—no longer was he willing to engage in close fellowship with the Gentile believers—instead he withdrew from them and separated himself.

This withdrawal and separation was clearly motivated by fear—Peter was apparently afraid that these who had come from the church at Jersualem would carry back a report that he was not thoroughly adhering to the law or that he had relaxed his standards.

This Paul considered to be a serious violation which required confrontation.

The heart of the issue was that Peter had in essence violated his own conviction because he was afraid what others might think of him.

Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man bringeth a snare: But whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”

Peter was right to engage in close fellowship with the Gentile believers and it was wrong for him to withdraw in fear once those from the church at Jerusalem arrived.

Peter was acting hypocritically by separating from the Gentile believers even though he had already indicated that God had shown him they ought to be seen as spiritual equals.

Peter was one thing in one context and another when others were present—this is an all too common issue even still today.

There are many believers who adjust their behavior to reflect those around them rather than maintaining their convictions whatever the context.

The issue was that Peter’s withdrawal gave the appearance that the Jewish believers could not fellowship with the Gentile believers unless they adhered to the law—this then seemed to support the necessity of keeping the law in order to be truly saved and to have full fellowship within the body of Christ.

The duality that Peter displayed brought confusion and division to the church and presented a serious danger to the unity and health of the body.

As believers we must live in accordance with our biblical convictions and we must not allow ourselves to fall prey to the fear of man.

Influence on Others (Vs. 13)

One of the reasons that Paul felt compelled to confront Peter publicly was because his behavior had a powerful influence on others in the congregation.

Peter was unquestionably a highly influential leader in the early church and there were many who looked to Peter for guidance and as a sort of pattern which they themselves should follow.

This is clearly seen in the fact that when Peter withdrew himself from fellowship with the Gentile believers, the other Jewish believers did the same.

The word dissembled here involves the idea of joining in hypocrisy—these Jewish believers acted hypocritically following the example which Peter had set.

This should come as no great shock since Peter was considered to be the Apostle to the circumcision—meaning his influence was greatest among the Jewish believers—many of whom looked to him as the preeminent example which they ought to emulate.

Sadly Peter’s influence was so great that even Barnabas—one of Paul’s closest companions and one who had labored alongside Paul among the Gentiles—was also carried away with their dissimulation.

Tragically this is still true today—there are many believers who take their cues from the behavior of others rather than acting in accordance with their own personal convictions.

In many case there are believers who have not developed any strongly held convictions of their own and so they tend to follow those who seem to be influential leaders.

“The best of men are only men at their very best" —J.C. Ryle

"The best of men are men at the best; and being men, they are not perfect, but are still compassed about with sin." —C.H. Spurgeon

This is why you and I must develop our own personal convictions through the careful study of the Word of God and the leadership of the Spirit of God.

There are many believers who have been influenced by some charismatic leader who has caused them to think in a manner contrary to truth and by this much contention and division has developed in many churches now throughout history.

Paul was probably convinced that a man like Barnabas who had faithfully labored among the Gentiles would never be subject to such influences but sadly he was wrong—this simply shows the power of peer pressure and the influence which one who is perceived as a spiritual leader may have over even good men.

The Argument (Vs. 14-16)

When Paul saw that Peter and those who joined with him were acting hypocritically—behaving in a manner that was inconsistent with the message of the gospel—he boldly confronted him in the presence of those who had joined with him.

Paul questioned Peter as to the inconsistency of his behavior asking him why he was now expecting the Gentile believers to behave as though they were Jews when he, himself being a Jew, was in many way living as a Gentile.

The first thing Paul did was point out the fact that Peter was not only acting in a manner inconsistent with the truth of the gospel—he was also acting in a manner inconsistent with his own actions prior to the coming of those from the church at Jerusalem.

Paul then provides a well reasoned argument as to why what Peter is doing is wrong.

First he affirms that both he and Peter are Jews by nature in contrast to being of a Gentile heritage—he uses the terminology “sinners of the Gentiles” here because this was the typical thinking among the Jews concerning the Gentiles.

Gentiles were considered heathens and sinners because their heritage was distinct from that of the Jews having in their view no real connection with God.

This was somewhat of an ironic statement meant to confront them with their own prejudices towards the Gentiles.

In any case what follows is a clear statement of doctrinal truth which would be affirmed by all the believers, but which was not being practically applied to their situation.

Paul reminds them of what they already know to be true—that a man is not justified by the works of the law (be he Jew or Gentile) but by the faith of Jesus Christ.

Those who were Jews were not justified because of their Jewish heritage, because of their circumcision, or because of their attempts at careful adherence to the law—they were justified in the same manner as the Gentiles—through faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work.

Paul plainly states a truth they all knew—no flesh shall be justified before God by the works of the law—justification comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.

This was meant to show that though they may hold to a right doctrinal position—they were not living in accordance with it practically.

By withdrawing and separating themselves from their Gentile brethren they were indicating that there was something lacking in them which prevented them from being welcomed to full fellowship with their Jewish counterparts.

This created an entirely unbiblical distinction which was in direct contradiction with the truth of the gospel that all men were equally guilty before God and that all those who believe upon Jesus Christ shall be fully and finally justified through Him.

Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

It is critically important for you and I as Christians to not only hold correct doctrinal positions, but also to live in accordance with those positions practically.

Doctrinal truth is not meant purely to be something which we acknowledge but which has not practical impact upon our live—rather it is meant to be that from which we develop principles and convictions which are practically applied in every day life.

Conclusion

This passage shows the importance of not only holding the right doctrinal positions but also living in a manner that is consistent with these truths.

Here we also find that even the great spiritual leaders like Peter the Apostle can make poor choices and in doing so lead many astray.

You and I must be careful not to allow our behavior to be dictated by the fear of man but rather by the conviction we have developed through careful study and application of the Word of God.

We must also be careful that we do not simply take our cues from the behavior of others recognizing that this is never a legitimate reason for acting in a particular manner above another for men may make mistakes.

We must act instead according to truth instead of blindly following men.

We must also recognize the influence our actions may have upon others and be careful that we would not lead them astray.