PETER, PAUL AND THE CONFLICT AT THE CHURCH POTLUCK
KEY VERSE – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Gal. 5:1) SECONDARY THEME VERSES: “A man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Gal. 2:16); “If righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing” (Gal. 2:21).
THEME: Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone releases us from the yoke of the law, freeing us to live a life of love through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Legal (Imputed) Righteousness: We are justified by faith in Christ (Gal. 2:16). Imparted Righteousness: Immediate Moral Change at conversion (Gal. 6:15); Gradual Moral Change through the fruit-growing work of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) which requires our cooperation (Gal 5:16-17, 25, 6:8). We cooperate by using CCRC (Concentration, Choice, Reflection, Confession/Thanksgiving. Foundational verse, “By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Heb. 10:14)
Good Teachers: (1) Constantly re-evaluate what they are doing; (2) Set large goals; (3) Ask – Does everything I do contribute to learning?; (4) Prepare well; (5) Check for understanding; (6) Like teaching; (7) Get results from their teaching; (8) Have perseverance. Don’t give up.
TEACHING GOAL: The need to be always alert to our character weaknesses and strengths.
REVIEW
Paul’s thesis: My apostleship is equal to that of the twelve; the Gospel I received by divine revelation and preach is from God. (Galatians 1:11-12)
From 1:13-4:31 Paul defends his position as an apostle and the divine authenticity of the Gospel he preaches. Paul shows his independence from: (1) Human Teaching (1:13-17); (2) Judean churches (1:18-24); (3) Jerusalem “pillars” (2:1-10); (4) Apostle Peter (2:11-21).
TEXT FOR THE DAY:
When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? (Galatians 2:11-14)
PETER, PAUL AND THE CONFLICT
AT THE ANTIOCH CHURCH POTLUCK
1. Peter’s Understanding
2. Peter’s Practice
3. Peter’s Fault
4. Peter’s Fear
5. Peter’s Hypocrisy
6. Peter’s Influence
7. Peter’s Shame
8. Peter’s Lessons (For Us)
INTRODUCTION:
ILLUSTRATION: Paul sinned too, reacting wrongly in a crisis
Conflict with Barnabas
They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus. (Acts 15:39)
Arrest in Jerusalem for False Charges
When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.) (Acts 21:27-29)
Lie Before the Sanhedrin, the Court
Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” (Acts 23:6)
Reassurance from the Lord
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (Acts 23:11)
My Crime – Shouting a Falsehood in Court
Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’” (Acts 24:20-21)
PETER, PAUL AND THE CONFLICT AT THE CHURCH POTLUCK
I. PETER’S UNDERSTANDING
“God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.” (Acts 10:28); “. . . God does not show favoritism.” (Acts 10:34)
II. PETER’S PRACTICE
“ . . . he [Peter] used to eat with the Gentiles. (He … was in the habit of eating his meals with Gentiles – J.B. Phillips) . . . He began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles. . . . You live like a Gentile . . . .“ (2:12, 14)
Eating together indicated acceptance (Rev. 3:20) and oneness – “Because there is one loaf, we who are many, are one body, for we partake of one loaf.” (I Cor. 10:17)
III. PETER’S FAULT
“… he [Peter] was clearly in the wrong.” (Gal. 2:11)
He was communicating that they were unclean, unacceptable and second class Christians. Peter was causing a “social” if not “racial” rift in the church.
“How is it, then, that your force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?” (Gal. 2:14) Paul said, “… they [he, Peter] was not acting in line with the truth of the Gospel.” (Gal. 2:14)
– Orthopedeo, “ . . . acting in line with the truth . . . “, can be translated: walking properly and consistently in line with the truth. The Gospel’s straight line is grace + nothing. We are to live our religious lives on that line. The moment we veer away from grace in even a minute way, we are no longer walking properly and consistently in line with the truth of the Gospel.
When we refuse to have fellowship with a brother or sister based on religious scruples or racial or social standing we are veering away from the truth of the Gospel.
IV. PETER’S FEAR
Before we take an in depth look at Peter’s fear, let’s balance out the picture by looking at one of Paul’s failures.
PETER’S DOMINANT PERSONALITY TRAIT WHICH WAS BOTH HIS STRENGTH AND HIS WEAKNESS
QUESTION: What is Peter’s dominant personality trait? Play the role of a psychologist. Don’t use Christian / Biblical terminology. If a descriptor has been used, don’t use it again. Use a synonym.
Luke 5:1-10 – Jesus told Peter to put his boat out in to deeper water and let down his nets for a catch. Peter said that they had worked all night and caught nothing but because Jesus said so he would let down the nets. A large catch, the boat began to sink, Peter falls to his knees: Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man.
John 6:53-69: Jesus said that unless his followers ate his flesh and drank his blood, they could have no part with him. This was an unbelievably hard saying. Many people left him. Jesus asked the disciples if they would leave to. Peter was the one who answered: Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the word of eternal life. (John 6:68)
Matthew 14:28-29: The disciples were on the sea of Galilee, a considerable distance from land. Shortly before dawn they say Jesus walking on the water. They were in great fear. Jesus told them not to be afraid. Peter asked, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” The Lord told Peter to come and he stepped out of the boat and walked on the water.
Matthew 16:13-17: Jesus asked disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” The disciples gave various answers. Then He asked, “But what about you?” “Who do you say I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”
Matthew 16:21-23: Jesus tells of His coming death and resurrection. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
Matthew 17:1-4: Peter, James and John went onto the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus was transfigured and Peter was transfixed. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
John 13:6-9: Jesus takes off his outer clothing, wraps a towel around his waist, pours water in a basin and begins to wash the disciple’s feet, drying them with the towel. He comes to Peter to wash his feet: “No, said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, ‘not just my feet but my hands and my head as well.”
Matthew 26:31-35: Jesus quotes an OT prophecy that he will be stricken and all his followers will be scattered. Peter responds, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
John 18:10: During the arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane Peter drew his sword and cut off the right ear of Malchus, the servant of the High Priest.
Luke 24:12: The apostles heard from Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the Mother of James that Jesus had been raised from the dead. The apostles did not believe their testimony. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb.”
Acts 10:9-13: Peter on a roof praying. Became hungry, fell into a trancE, heaven opened, large sheet, all kinds of four-footed animals, reptiles, birds and a voice, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
QUESTION: What are synonyms for “impulsive”?
Abrupt, careless, emotional, flaky, hasty, impetuous, passionate, jumping the gun, unpredictable, tending to act without thought.
QUESTION: How can we describe Peter’s problem, character weakness?
PETER’S FEAR AT THE CRUCIFIXTION
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. 69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” (Mark 14:66-71)
QUESTION: As a psychologist, what personality quality do you see in Peter in this situation?
JESUS RE-INSTATES PETER AFTER THE RESURRECTION
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)
QUESTION: Why do you think Jesus asked the same question three times?
Peter is impulsive, tending to respond quickly without weighing the implications. He tends to trust in his own strength, ability, passion.
PETER’S ANOINTING WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
1 . . . the day of Pentecost . . . . 2 . . . a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. . . .
6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? . . . . “What does this mean?” . . . . 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, . . . and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews . . . . . . . . , let me explain . . . . . . . (Peter preaches his sermon)
37 When the people heard [the sermon], they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. . . . . 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:1-41)
PETER’S COURAGE IN ACTS
Acts 4:1-13: Peter had healed a man lame from birth. He was preaching at the temple, arrested and jailed, next day brought before rulers, elders, teachers of law, high priest’s family.
“By what power or what name do you do this?” . . . It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. . . . When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. . . . [Sanhedrin conferred privately and called in Peter and John again] . . . . “ . . . . . commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Acts 5:17-41: Arrested, freed by angel, teaching in the temple courts, arrested again, Sanhedrin questioned them again, don’t speak about Jesus any more. Peter said, “We must obey God rather than human beings!” Flogged, left Sanhedrin rejoicing counted worthy to suffer. Kept teaching.
WHO TRIGGERED PETER’S FEAR
The James Gang were Christians but extremists, probably converted Pharisees.
They had no authority to arrest Peter. They were not sent by the Sanhedrin, as was Paul, when he went to Damascus.
Peter, a Galilean, probably considered himself a country bumpkin when in the presence of these well educated, former Pharisees.
WHAT TRIGGERED PETER’S FEAR?
Was Peter concerned that the new Christian church retain a good standing in Jewish eyes … and thus the need to follow Jewish food laws? Were the legalists gaining ground in the Jerusalem church?
Did the James Gang tell Peter that his association with Gentiles would cause the church in Jerusalem to suffer greatly at the hands of the Jews who insisted on obedience to the law?
Was Peter afraid of being called an apostate from Judaism and thus be a stumbling block to Jews in Jerusalem that he was seeking to evangelize?
Was he concerned for the physical safety of Jewish Christians in Judea and afraid that his mixing with Gentiles would have brought persecution on the Christians in Judea?
Or was he just a ‘weathercock’ and ran with the wind? It certainly seems like that. It seems like he went back on the agreement reached in Jerusalem (Gal. 2:1-10).
John Stott does not put forth any suggestions as to what triggered Peter’s fear. He simply writes: Peter did in Antioch precisely what Paul had refused to do in Jerusalem, namely yield to pressure. The same Peter who had denied his Lord for fear of a maidservant now denied Him again for fear of the circumcision party. He still believed the gospel, but he failed to practice it. His conduct ‘did not square’ with it (NEB). He virtually contradicted it by his actions, because he lacked the courage of his convictions.” (Stott, 52)
WHAT WE LEARN FROM PETER’S FAILURE
QUESTION: What can we learn from Peter’s failure?
Our personality traits, character strengths and weaknesses stick with us through our spiritual journey.
Peter spent three years with Jesus, he had lots of chances to come to see his own inadequacies, he received an unbelievable lesson about himself in his denial or Christ and reinstatement, he had a unique experience with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, he received a unique revelation about incorporating non-Jews into the church, he exhibited unbelievable courage before the Sanhedrin on two occasions.
All of Peter’s life experiences with Jesus did not eradicate and/or sanctify his personality trait of impulsiveness.
What is weird is that Peter didn’t have time to reflect at the trial of Jesus but in Antioch he did have plenty of time to reflect on what he was doing.
The weaknesses in your life in your twenties will still be with you in your eighties.
What are we to do? Know ourselves, know who we are. Can you state in a simple sentence character weaknesses that you need to keep your eye on?
Work on that weakness. Be aware of it. Deal with it.
Soldiers of Christ Arise: Leave no unguarded place, no weakness of the soul. Take every virtue, every grace and fortify the whole.
The outer me decays – I do not fret or ask reprieve.
The ebbing strength but weans me from mother earth
and grows me up for heaven.
I do not cling to shadows cast by immortality.
I do not patch the scaffold lent to build the real, eternal me.
I do not clutch about me my cocoon,
Vainly struggling to hold hostage a free spirit pressing to be born.
What if Peter would have stopped and thought about his tendency to impulsive decisions and acting on fear before he decided to separate himself from table fellowship with the Gentiles?
SO WHAT????
1. Biblical heroes like Paul and Peter were men with like passions, just like us.
2. Peter was clearly in the wrong when he broke off table fellowship with the Gentiles.
3. A lifetime of walking with the Lord, experiencing His presence, blessings, leading will not eradicate our basic character weaknesses.
4. We must be aware of these weaknesses and take time to reflect on attitudes, actions, decisions so that our weaknesses will not dominate in our lives.