Galatians 2:11-14 says,...
Today's verses are Galatians 2:11-14, which read,
v.11 - But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
Trouble in River City and that is with a capital "T"! Antioch is the location of the first Gentile church and after Paul comes from the counsel of Peter, James, and John in Jerusalem, Peter (Cephas) comes to see for himself what is going on in the north with Paul and Barnabas. A confrontation takes place between Paul and Peter because of a sin revealed in Peter's life.
v.12 - For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision.
Peter has been there for awhile ministering with Paul among the Gentiles and then another Jewish group comes from Jerusalem. At the sight of them, something kicks into gear within Peter that makes him withdraw from the new converts of Christ. He is definitely concerned more about his reputation among these men from Jerusalem rather than the truth of the gospel that Paul had presented to them. This is the group that wanted to add Jewish tradition to faith in Jesus Christ as necessary to salvation. Peter has pulled away.
v.13 - The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.
There were other Jews who were in Antioch who had become followers of Christ and because of the action of Peter, they also started to withdraw from the Gentile believers. Even Paul's partner, Barnabas gets wrapped up in following the opinions of men rather than the faith of God. Paul must have been really discouraged at this point. He is standing alone for the faith that he spoke of earlier in Jerusalem and had full support of the first century Christian church leaders.
v.14 - But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?"
Paul calls out Peter in front of those who were pulling away. He gives a clear definition of "hypocrisy." "Peter, before these guys showed up you were eating and having fellowship with the Gentiles and telling them about Jesus. After these guys show up, you stopped that fellowship and started preaching another gospel. You were doing one thing and now saying another."
The word "hypocrisy" is related to "acting the part" or "putting on a mask" to cover up your true self. Peter looks like he has put on a mask for the Gentiles and then changed the mask when the Jews from Jerusalem came. This hypocrisy Paul points out to his face. This would probably be a very tense moment to say the least.
I would like you to notice that Peter's hypocrisy had an affect on others. When we are "putting on a good show" with our Christianity but actually living another way, it will come out and it does more damage and no good. Your faith in Jesus Christ trumps all other relationships in your life. If it doesn't you will be influenced by those relationships rather than the relationship you have with Christ. You will actually lose your influence for Christ on their lives until you make that relationship with Christ supreme again. God didn't move, you did. You will be pulled away to those influences and you will start playing the game of hypocrisy. It is a dangerous game and I highly advise you to stop and stand squarely on the relationship with the Lord. For the sake of others, don't fall for this inferior relationship.
"Lord, we need help to realize that our relationship with You is so superior to any other relationship on this earth. Even if we are standing alone for You, You will supply what we need to stand on truth and not fall into a life of hypocrisy. May we always be influenced by You and not those who are around us. Lord, I do ask that you continue to get me godly friends that are also standing for You to be encouraged by. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.11 - But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
Trouble in River City and that is with a capital "T"! Antioch is the location of the first Gentile church and after Paul comes from the counsel of Peter, James, and John in Jerusalem, Peter (Cephas) comes to see for himself what is going on in the north with Paul and Barnabas. A confrontation takes place between Paul and Peter because of a sin revealed in Peter's life.
v.12 - For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision.
Peter has been there for awhile ministering with Paul among the Gentiles and then another Jewish group comes from Jerusalem. At the sight of them, something kicks into gear within Peter that makes him withdraw from the new converts of Christ. He is definitely concerned more about his reputation among these men from Jerusalem rather than the truth of the gospel that Paul had presented to them. This is the group that wanted to add Jewish tradition to faith in Jesus Christ as necessary to salvation. Peter has pulled away.
v.13 - The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.
There were other Jews who were in Antioch who had become followers of Christ and because of the action of Peter, they also started to withdraw from the Gentile believers. Even Paul's partner, Barnabas gets wrapped up in following the opinions of men rather than the faith of God. Paul must have been really discouraged at this point. He is standing alone for the faith that he spoke of earlier in Jerusalem and had full support of the first century Christian church leaders.
v.14 - But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?"
Paul calls out Peter in front of those who were pulling away. He gives a clear definition of "hypocrisy." "Peter, before these guys showed up you were eating and having fellowship with the Gentiles and telling them about Jesus. After these guys show up, you stopped that fellowship and started preaching another gospel. You were doing one thing and now saying another."
The word "hypocrisy" is related to "acting the part" or "putting on a mask" to cover up your true self. Peter looks like he has put on a mask for the Gentiles and then changed the mask when the Jews from Jerusalem came. This hypocrisy Paul points out to his face. This would probably be a very tense moment to say the least.
I would like you to notice that Peter's hypocrisy had an affect on others. When we are "putting on a good show" with our Christianity but actually living another way, it will come out and it does more damage and no good. Your faith in Jesus Christ trumps all other relationships in your life. If it doesn't you will be influenced by those relationships rather than the relationship you have with Christ. You will actually lose your influence for Christ on their lives until you make that relationship with Christ supreme again. God didn't move, you did. You will be pulled away to those influences and you will start playing the game of hypocrisy. It is a dangerous game and I highly advise you to stop and stand squarely on the relationship with the Lord. For the sake of others, don't fall for this inferior relationship.
"Lord, we need help to realize that our relationship with You is so superior to any other relationship on this earth. Even if we are standing alone for You, You will supply what we need to stand on truth and not fall into a life of hypocrisy. May we always be influenced by You and not those who are around us. Lord, I do ask that you continue to get me godly friends that are also standing for You to be encouraged by. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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