Lesson on Consistency

Galatians 2:11-14

Peter’s education as a disciple continued even after he became an apostle. Even as one of the leaders of the early church and a powerful preacher of God’s Word, he was still in need of correction.

The final lesson we will seek to learn from the life of Peter deals with consistency. “Consistency, thou art a jewel.” is a quote often credited to William Shakespeare, and undoubtedly most would agree that consistency greatly affects our testimony and our effectiveness for Christ. In this passage in Galatians, we find Paul challenging Peter to be consistent in the matter of his conduct toward fellow believers.

God had made it clear to Peter in a vision that the gospel of Christ was not to be kept from anyone.

Acts 10:28 KJV 1900

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.

But here we see the peer pressure Peter encountered that caused him to withdraw from obedience and threatened to bring real harm to the cause of Christ. Paul understood and took the occasion to remind Peter that the Great Commission was for everyone.

Peter Being Cooperative

Acts 10:1-48

As we begin to look at this incident in Peter’s life, we see that initially he was doing exactly what God wanted him to do. He was, one might say, off to a good and obedient stat and how we finish, it is also true that the work in between is extremely important. This is one of the reasons why we are encouraged to “continue.” We ought to continue in both out calling and in good doctrine, as Paul urged Timothy to do. If we have started well in these, and continue well, it is much more that we will also finish well.

2 Timothy 3:14 KJV 1900

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

1 Timothy 4:16 KJV 1900

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Peter had learned some very hard lessons during his years of ministry. Think back over the lessons in this series and realize how they must have felt to Peter at the time.- Jarring, even humiliating. But Peter had accepted the various rebukes and corrections as opportunities for education and growth, and in God’s time and way Peter became one of the pillars of the first century church

Galatians 2:9 KJV 1900

And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.