But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

We have here an account of the apostle Paul rebuking another apostle, Peter. Peter was the oldest, and probably the most honoured of the apostles. Yet Paul did not hesitate to resist him in a case where Peter was manifestly wrong,

What was the problem? Initially, Peter was eating with the Gentile Christians. But when certain Jews sent by James arrived, Peter quickly withdrew and separated himself from the Gentile Christians, fearing them of the circumcision. What was he afraid of? He was afraid what the Jews might think of him eating with the Gentiles. The Jews would not eat with the Gentiles.

What was the consequence of Peter’s action? Other Jews and even Barnabas also withdrew themselves, following Peter’s example.

What messages was Peter sending across?

1.      To the Jews - It was wrong to have fellowship with the Gentiles.

2.      To the Gentiles - He was embarrassing the Gentile Christians and implying they were outcasts. They were treated as strangers and not brethren in the Lord.

3.      Upon himself – He was contradicting the very message he preached. He had preached that “God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him,” (Acts 10:34-35). He had convinced the Jews at Jerusalem that “God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life,” (Acts 11:18A). But now, his action seemed otherwise.

4.      On the whole – He was confusing everyone – Were the Gentile converts brethren or not? Can the Jewish Christians have or have not fellowship with the Gentile Christians? Are they brethren together?

Peter clearly sinned at this point when he offended the Gentile brethren and stumbled the Jews. Paul rebuked him sharply and called his action hypocrisy. It was hypocrisy because he acted against his better convictions, as if it were really wrong to eat with Gentiles. Peter was self-condemned; he showed inconsistency between his preaching and his conduct.

What lessons can we learn from this event that transpired?

1.      Men are fallible. Even Peter, an apostle, sometimes caved in because he was fearful. It shows us that we must not idolised men but stick to the path of truth. The Bereans were praiseworthy because they checked even the preaching of the apostle Paul to see if it was the truth (Acts 17:11). It is an example to everyone: Don’t believe every word you hear, even if it is from your preacher or elder; check it up with the word of God (2 Tim 2:15).

2.      Leaders must be consistent. Peter’s action was confusing to both the Jews and the Gentiles. What they heard and what they saw were different. Peter had preached that the gospel of repentance to salvation was available to the Gentiles. His action indicated otherwise. His inconsistency confused everyone. In fact, it was downright sinful. To the Gentile Christians, he had offended and embarrassed them. To the Jewish Christians, he had stumbled them and caused them to sin like him. A leader must set the right example so as not to stumble or offend anyone (Matt 18:6).

3.      The power of influence. Peter’s action caused some Jews and even strong Christian like Barnabas to follow in his sinful way. Clearly, no man is an island. Everyone is a leader in his own ways. Others are watching and someone is bound to follow your action even if it is wrong. Therefore, let us be careful of our conduct – what we say and what we do (1 Tim 4:12).

4.      Public sin requires a public rebuke. Such as sin openly should be rebuked openly. In this instance, the public rebuke was necessary, as it was essential in the circumstances to establish fixed principles for all time. Was Paul’s action unloving and unkind? It would be if it had been done  with haughtiness and evil intention towards Peter. But I doubt Paul finds pleasure in doing it. The sin was serious; it destroyed everything that had stood for and preached on. It had to be addressed immediately; obviously and with love. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph 4:15). The rebuke was fully justified.

5.      Stand up for the truth. Is truth important to you? It has to be! Truth is of paramount importance. No one can believe a lie and still goes to heaven (John 14:6). Eve believed a lie and brought eternal death, not eternal life into this world. There are times when controversies with regard to doctrines will arise in the Church. The church has to decide to stand for the truth or follow the brother who is teaching error. It is a duty of paramount importance. It is a decision that decides the fate of the church – to stand with God or with the devil. In Revelation 2:12-15. We are told of the church in Pergamos who allowed the false doctrines of Balaam to be taught from her pulpit. Hear the Lord’s warning: “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth”(Rev 2:16).

 Action speaks louder than words. Let us be careful of our actions. Others are watching and some will follow. Let us do what is right.

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh ho