But I do not think that it is useless to mention a few lessons that we should derive from the contradiction in the case of Peter between holy confession and iniquitous rebuke. As a matter of fact, Peter and James, who are both prominent in Galatians 2, are prominent in Acts 15 as well. What many don't understand is, Peter's second letter is a direct rebuke of Paul's heresies. But neither believed that we are saved by faith alone. Paul said in Acts 26:20 that we prove our saving repentance by our deeds. It was not that Peter had changed his views from the Jerusalem resolutions. The purpose for which Paul introduces this statement here is evident. Understand this: the early church had what they called a. I openly opposed him, and reproved him. NEWS FLASH: GOD IS NOT LOOKING FOR BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION; HE IS AFTER HEART TRANSFORMATION. b. 11But when Peter was come to Antioch, I (Paul) withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. Throughout the Gospels, Peter was Christs closest follower. (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. The high authority of Peter would constrain the Gentile Christians to regard Judaizing as necessary to all, since Jewish Christians could not consort with Gentile converts in communion without it. Scriptures: Its like saying He never died, or His death was in vain. This shall never happen to you." The time of this journey of Peter to Antioch cannot be ascertained; nor the occasion on which it occurred. The law, of course, is the transcript of divine perfection. When Peter ate with a Gentile he became ceremonially unclean. Excitable as Peter was by. b. 2:1920), with Jesus being the foundation of the foundation because He is the cornerstone (Acts 4:11). What was to be done to keep from offending the Jewish Christians? When Peter denied his Lord, it was succumbing on Peters part to temptation. Evangelicals often stress that Jesus has died for our sins, but it can be easy to forget that He was also raised for our sins. The idea is, that the conduct of Peter was such as to lead the Gentiles to the belief that it was necessary for them to be circumcised in order to be saved. The apostles were of themselves not always inspired; rather, the inspiration was in their writing of the Scriptures. Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you! Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 1. Peter was the eldest, and probably the most honored of the apostles, yet Paul says that he did not hesitate to resist him in a case where Peter was obviously wrong, and thus by doing so, showed that he was an apostle of the same standing as the others. In Antioch he looked him in the eye as his superior in character and courage. Paul rounded on Peter in front of all those lined up against him. Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular. It seems pretty dramatic to think that another significant figure in the early Church such as Paul, felt compelled to confront Peter in public. O wretched man that I am! 2020 The Presbytery of the United States | The Free Church of Scotland (Continuing). But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed., But when Peter came to Antioch Second, Peter, James and Paul came to an amicable and unanimous agreement at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. To start saving items to a SermonFolder, please create an account. Paul had experienced a revelation that told him that he had been entrusted with the task of preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. (The Law has been fulfilled and replaced by the New Covenant.). Acts 11:3; [ver. When he said to Peter, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, he was responding in a perfect manner to that which was the fruit of the Fathers grace. 4:111). Paul had a great deal to say about this subject in I Corinthians. Regarding the proceeding with their usual prejudice, they explained away (at least to their own satisfaction) the force of the Jerusalem decision; and they probably also wanted to see if the Jewish Christians among the Gentiles violated the Law, which that decision did not verbally sanction them in doing, though it did give the Gentiles much latitude (Acts 15:19) Scripture: The apostles function as the foundation of the church through their writings the New Testament which reveal and proclaim the churchs Lord. We can't refuse them Christian initiation.". for ye shall hunger. Peters poor decision in which he shunned the Gentiles served as the fuel to Pauls powerful letter to the Galatians. Answer (1 of 12): Greetings, peace to you, and thank you for the A2A - As at least one other responder shared, not if Paul was obeying the Christ (Matthew 18:15-17). From pros and lambano; to take to oneself, i.e. This angered Paul, but when he settled down, he reasoned with Peter by reminding him that Jews like them weren't guilty of the carnal sins the Gentiles were known for (Gal. Could there be within such a brief period of time the inspiration and the actuation of such diverse sources, God the Father in all his immaculate holiness and majesty, and Satan in all his unspeakable malignity and iniquity? Acts 15 is not a break. According to this perspective Paul chastised Peter for what is today called racism. Romans 1:17 is an even stronger statement of this principle. Literally: why do you compel {the} nations to Judaize, As he would do, if he insisted that they should be circumcised, and observe the peculiar Jewish rites. Peter also spoke highly of him and acknowledged the wisdom God had given to Paul and attributed to Paul's writings the same status as the Scriptures. It is implied of course in that definition that is given of sin in the scripture: Sin is the transgression of the law. Peter had been a believer for some time when he came to visit Paul in Antioch, but he was still following the Jewish dietary law. Literally: like the nations; heathen like., In eating, etc., as he had done before Judaizing teachers came from Jerusalem, (v. 12). 11But when Peter was come to Antioch, I (Paul) withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. b. 1:20. Barnabas also was also carried away with their dissemimulation 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Mat Mt). You can see it all along in the witness of our Lord the contrast between blessing and curse. Both of them preached the gospel to Jews and Gentiles, though Paul did more of his work among the Gentiles, while Peter carried out more of his labors among the Jews (Galatians 2:8). Now in conclusion, may I invite you to recognize in this particular instance the disclosure of the glory of Christ? HALLELUIA!!!!! Try to catch something, my beloved friends, of the grandeur of the contrast in the case of our Lord himself. Philip converts many in Samaria including a magician Acts 8:1-25 " 1 Saul was consenting to Stephen's death. It is probable that they were induced to do it by the example of Peter, as they would naturally regard him as a leader. What high office is accorded to these apostles! . So there was not much of an interval, and we might think it impossible for Peter to entertain such contradictory sentiments within such a brief period of time. How can this be a rebuke of Paul in 2 Corinthians 7:14 or 10:8? We really believe we can do some things on our own. Is it not at least as lawful for them to neglect the Jewish observances, as it was for thee to do it but a few days ago? The word here rendered. How can Paul be an apostle if he did not meet Jesus? Originally published in Tabletalk, our daily Bible study magazine. Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The reason for Peters withdrawal: whether the Jewish visitors demanded this of him; or whether they encountered him in some debate; or whether he silently separated himself from the Gentiles without their having said anything to him, is unknown. . In the case of Peter, the sin . II. When Gentiles were saved, a problem was raised. All rights reserved. He does another the deepest injury, who suffers sin unrebuked to lie upon him, and who sees him injuring himself and others, and who is at no pains to admonish him for his faults. Literally: he ate with the nations. I am confused about salvation by grace or by works. Barnabas was the close friend of Paul. And, in fact, the same tool is being used upon the Galatians, for Paul will write in 4:17, "They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them." One of the key features of this conflict is food. We might well say that it is impossible in the psychology of our Lord himself, for him to have given such benediction and investiture to Peter, and then such devastating reprimand: Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Apparently impossible! As before, the evidence is that James fully supported Pauls ministry. The instance before us is one of faithful. Peters denial of Jesus: But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said: This man was also with him. He was acting as if the Gentiles had to keep the law of Moses to be truly Christian. But on this occasion, see how different! As we see on many occasions in the Gospels, Christ used Peters actions and words as perfect opportunities to teach. Is James written as a rebuke to and rejection of Paul and his followers? Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Gospels: Matthew 16:22 Peter took him aside and began (Matt. It is for our warning and also for our consolation that the apostle Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to give us his own autobiography. In Jerusalem Paul faced Peter as his equal in rank and sphere of work. Literally: For before some came from James. Peter agreed that the Gentiles, as well as the Jews, were to be given the good news of the Gospel. This totally upsets the Romish doctrine of Peter's supremacy. 8:1-10:33 Rom. There may come a time, and today is that time; a man of faith will have to correct his brother's error. 5 Things You Should Know about the Apostle Peter. Excitable as Peter was by. She had other children, both sons and daughters. One popular interpretation of this passage says Paul rebuked Peter because of his cultural prejudices. Many today, though they believe we are saved by grace through faith, are still looking at what they are doing to make sure they measure up to some standard of right conduct. Apparently a primary word; a rock; as a name, Petrus, an apostle. Contradiction appears in this chapter in other ways. I would compare this to a parents pride in the accomplishments of their children or Gods pride in us when we obey him. Due to wars, politics, taxes and deception, Pope Clement V had moved the papacy to France in 1309. For a similar use of the word, (see Matt. Is it the interests of his counsel? Thus he showed his belief that all believers were to be regarded as on the same level, and that the peculiar institutions of the Jews were not to be considered as binding, or to be imposed on others. The sin of the devil and his angels preceded the sin of the human race. ANTIOCH: The church in Antioch was a mixture of both Jews and Gentiles, with the Gentiles being in the majority. One popular interpretation of this passage says Paul rebuked Peter because of his cultural prejudices. As we catch new facets, as we meditate prayerfully in dependence upon the enlightening of the Holy Spirit, we will be transformed more and more into his likeness. Peter feared the condemnation of the Jews. Helicopter Crash In Israel Foretold InScripture? The answer is a little more complicated than a simple yes or no. If you have some evidence to support the premise that I am unaware of, I will be happy to consider it, but I am afraid that I definitely do not agree with your contention here that James is rebuking Paul. He even walked on water with Him and became a Christian when Paul was, well, NOWHERE. From this point on, Paul became the greatest apostle of all time and wrote fully 3/4 of the New Testament. HOW CAN ANYONE BE TRANSFORMED IF THAY ARE NOT SEEING JESUS?? In this lesson, we will consider Paul's rebuke to the "face of Peter." The apostle Paul has given us, in very brief summary, his own autobiography of the contradiction. Therefore, Peter had no scruples about eating with Gentile Christians, but many of the Jewish Christians, especially those of the, It is beautiful to see how earthly misunderstandings of Christians are lost in Christ. Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password. What is the meaning of the 1000 years of Revelation 20? You see. VERSE 14: And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter. They disguised their sentiments. Mark 8:32 And he spake that saying openly. Literally: with the truth of the gospel-. . As he would do, if he insisted that they should be circumcised, and observe the peculiar Jewish rites. It is a lesson of truth. VERSE 12: Would have to be cleansed before he could offer sacrifices or join the temple worship. He told them to stay awake and pray while He went off to pray alone. Lord, master, sir; the Lord. In Galatians 2 we learn of something surprising for its uniqueness. But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.. Paul's Rebuke of Peter Was. 4:16-17). With vehement indignation he says, Get behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me. What is the reason for the difference between the loving look of compassion and the withering, devastating reprimand on this occasion? They knew that the Jewish ceremonial was done away by the gospel, and had practically acknowledged it by eating with the Gentiles, but now they were afraid to publicly display their true convictions. Let me add that there is no evidence among the early Church Fathers of a division between the supposed followers of Paul versus James faction. In Galatians 1:20 Paul declares that he did in fact visit Jerusalem and that when he visited Jerusalem he visited James. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. Literally: If you being a Jew, live {as} a non-Jew. who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Even in the final word of that autobiography there is placed on record by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.. Peter withdrew from the Gentile eaters, and probably from the rest of the Gentile converts to Christianity. Of course, St. Paul was a fellow apostle and writer of much of the New Testament, and he criticized Pope Peter (Gal 2:11-14). Long after Paul had written his I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straightened until it be accomplished!. Peters actions were the result of long standing prejudices against all Gentiles. 3:1014). Paul addressed Peters distortion of the gospel. But he wasn't - early on, Paul taught his own "form" of following Christ, one that was steeped in the remnants of his having been . Why do the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. He turns to his disciples and says, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. I am not lying. As you know, Acts 15 describes a significant break between James leadership (likely including Peter, John, Mark, and Barnabas) and Pauls doctrinal and dogmatic leadership as background for the letter; James 2:14-25 seems to dispute rather than elaborate upon Romans 3:20; James 4:16-17 seems to endeavor to discourage Pauls activities in 2 Cor. But Paul's rebuke does not need to be interpreted as a rift in the church: it can be interpreted as a mitzvah, or "He turned and said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan! The charge against him was gross inconsistency in doing this. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular.

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peter response to paul's rebuke