What should we make of this story? Here Paul is publicly confronting Peter, the chief of apostles, on something Paul considered scandalous and hypocritical. Was he being imprudent and disrespectful? Is this another example of Paul’s fiery temper? Or did his behavior stem from a deep love for the Lord and a zealous commitment to the truth of the gospel?
A group of Jewish believers from Jerusalem had come to Antioch claiming that the gentile Christians there had to be circumcised and were obligated to follow Jewish dietary laws. Even Peter felt pressured enough to stop associating with the Gentiles. But Paul saw that this teaching ran contrary to the heart of the gospel and needed to be handled aggressively.
Of course, we should admire Paul for his bravery and his undying commitment to the gospel. But we should also be careful to learn from his missteps and mistakes. The truth—no matter how important it is—cannot stand in isolation, as a solitary pillar upholding the entire church. No, the truth must always be connected with love. It must always be placed side by side with the call to fellowship and communion. Surely Paul could have found a better, more respectful way to correct Peter. Surely he could have found a way to preserve both the message of the gospel and the unity of the apostles!
Like Peter and Paul, we must do all we can to work together to serve both truth and unity. By responding to pressure the way he did, Peter gave the believers in Antioch a false impression of Christianity. And by overreacting to the situation, Paul brought the church close to a tragic division. It was only after they took up the whole issue with their fellow apostles—in an act of unity and trust—that it was resolved peacefully (Acts 15:1-31).
Just like Peter and Paul, we too can find the way to unity in our churches and in our homes. All it takes is a humble determination to uphold each other as we work together to honor the truths of the Lord. He can make us one!
“Thank you, Lord, for the truth of your gospel. Bring our divisions to an end. Unite us all in love as we strive to serve you in truth.”
Psalm 117:1-2; Luke 11:1-4