We have been studying Paul's
answer to the church in Galatia for those who were teaching false
doctrine against the gospel of grace according to Jesus Christ.
Judaizers were infiltrating the churches with ideas such as
circumcision and keeping of the law to be saved, and Paul is
persuading these church members against these thoughts. As he has
engaged them, we find Paul proving his authority even among the
leadership within Jerusalem by telling of an incident which happened
in Antioch. The apostle Peter traveled to Antioch to learn more of
the church located there and was involved with the Gentile church
members until an entourage of leaders arrived from the church in
Jerusalem. It was then we saw Paul's problem with Peter because he
shunned the Gentiles, and because of it, Paul withstood Peter to the
face. We continue this illustration of Paul in chapter two and verse
thirteen where we read:
And the other Jews
dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried
away with their dissimulation.
Not only
did Peter behave in such a manner against the Gentiles, but now we
discover, “And other Jews dissembled likewise with him;”
Many times our behavior affects others, especially when we are in
leadership positions. Others were watching Peter, and as the
associates from Jerusalem arrived in Antioch, they too left the
Gentiles. Ethnocentric and cultural biases have a strong influence
when referencing peer pressure. If we imagine this scene for a
moment, we can almost see it with our mind's eye: The dinner is set,
and Jews and Gentiles are eating together. There is laughter in the
air, and conversations about their lives and relationship with Jesus
is rampant. Perhaps Peter is telling stories about being with Jesus,
and he might be recalling times of healing, feeding thousands or
simply the way Jesus prayed. But then, the Jewish entourage from
Jerusalem arrives, and Peter immediately stops talking, looks
embarrassed, and when he does, the others with Peter notice Peter's
reaction. They all get up from the table, move away from the
Gentiles, and act as though they were only minimally fraternizing
with them. Though they were engaged with the Gentiles, they now act
as though they didn't even know them.
Paul
adds, “insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their
dissimulation.” What? Barnabas? Barnabas was even influenced by
them so that he was carried away with their “dissimulation”? The
word “dissimulation” comes from the Greek word, “hypokrisis”
which means, “the acting of a stage player or hypocrisy”. It is
the word from which we derive our English word “hypocrite.” In
other words, the influence of the colleagues from Jerusalem was so
strong, that not only Peter and his group were persuaded by them, so
was Barnabas. This behavior caught Paul's attention, and Paul
confronted Peter about it.
Now, we
may sit in a position of judgment against Peter, his group, and
Barnabas, but once again, do we do the same? Are there people groups,
styles, communities or populaces which we shun even though they have
received the gospel of Jesus Christ? Are we open to the Lord Jesus
saving “all” people “everywhere” or do we believe that He
only saves certain groups and the others do not have the opportunity
to receive His grace? Once again, perhaps the Holy Spirit of God will
examine our hearts and minds as we study the confrontation between
Paul and Peter, and we will understand that the grace of God through
Jesus Christ is available to everyone, including us.
Next
time will see Paul's challenge to these who acted in this manner, so
read ahead, and let us join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to
Generation” in all major
bookstore
sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to
e-books, and find it
locally
at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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