It Starts Small

¹¹ But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned. ¹² For he regularly ate with the Gentiles before certain men came from James. However, when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision party. ¹³ Then the rest of the Jews joined his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. ¹⁴ But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas in front of everyone, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Galatians 2:11-14

Peter was influenced by peer pressure

Peter was undoubtedly aware of an incredible truth. He recognized that both Gentiles and Jews are embraced by the magnificent grace of God. In a profound vision, God revealed to him the powerful message.

⁹ The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the roof about noon. ¹⁰ He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, he fell into a trance. ¹¹ He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. ¹² In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. ¹³ A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.”

¹⁴ “No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything impure and ritually unclean.”

¹⁵ Again, a second time, the voice said to him, “What God has made clean, do not call impure.” ¹⁶ This happened three times, and suddenly the object was taken up into heaven.

Acts 10:9-15

³⁴ Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism,

Acts 10:34

This powerful revelation ignited a blazing understanding within Peter that God “does not show favoritism.” With unshakeable conviction, Peter boldly baptized Gentiles, who, just like him, had embraced the Holy Spirit. At the momentous Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15), he stood resolutely with James. He fervently agreed with Paul. They believed that the Gentiles should not bear the weight of the law in their quest for salvation. He was acutely aware of the monumental truth woven into these divine revelations.

And yet, for a time, he fiercely resisted the idea of mingling with the Gentiles. He shunned their company even in the simple act of sharing a meal. But why?

It’s simple yet profound. Peter was ensnared by the suffocating grip of peer pressure. A group of individuals surged from Jerusalem to Antioch, perhaps on James’ orders, or more insidiously, feigning his authority. Yet these newcomers betrayed the very principles that James championed in Acts 15! They held onto the outdated Jewish belief that Jews should shun meals with Gentiles. They influenced Peter, who regrettably gave in to their demands. In this crucial moment, Peter opted to seek the approval of men over the heart of God. This scenario imparts powerful lessons:

• No one is immune to peer pressure. Peter, a true trailblazer among his peers, often brushed aside the opinions of others. He stood out boldly in his “class,” always ready to respond first when Jesus posed a question. The spotlight didn’t faze him; he voiced his thoughts, unyielding even in the face of disagreement. Yet, even Peter, with all his courage, faltered, reminding us all that we, too, are susceptible to this powerful force. Deep down, we crave acceptance, the warmth of belonging, and the affirmation of others. The desire to please those around us can be overwhelming. However, let us remember that our ultimate purpose is to please God above man.
• Past success is not a guarantee of future success. In Acts 10, Peter triumphed magnificently. He broke free from the constraints of his culture and traditions. He did this by obeying God’s call to reach out to the Galatians. This was a remarkable victory over prejudice, or so it seemed. But this victory was not the final chapter. Our achievements are not set in stone until we meet the Lord face to face. Until that moment arrives, we are all vulnerable to reliving past temptations. We must embrace humility and lean on God’s grace continually, no matter how often we confront the same trials.
• Satan uses other people to tempt us. Sometimes, temptation creeps in quietly, with whispers promising, “It’s okay. No one will see you. No one will know. It’ll be fun.” At other times, we find ourselves surrounded by a crowd, all urging us to abandon our values. Have you ever felt the weight of peer pressure? What kinds of pressures loom around you, waiting to ensnare your resolve? How do you plan to confront the forces of temptation? Even among believers, will you stand firm against peer pressure?
• Even professing believers may pressure us. Shockingly, it’s possible for those within the church, fellow professing believers, to exert pressure in specific situations. Often, this stems from their own shallow faith and vulnerability to worldly influences. For instance, I’ve heard groups of “sisters” encouraging each other to marry unbelievers. They hold the misguided hope of converting them later. Other times, misguided churchgoers may suggest life-altering decisions like divorce, bankruptcy, or even abortion. Our mission must be to surround ourselves with wise counsel—those who offer biblical truths rather than worldly advice. We need to weigh our decisions against Scripture carefully. We must ensure our motives are pure. We should resist the urge to conform just to fit in. In everything we do, let our hearts yearn to please God, not man.

Break free from the confines of a “clique” like Peter! Don’t settle for the same familiar faces each time. Don’t shut out those who you deem “unworthy.” Don’t avoid people you think you have less in common with. Don’t restrict yourself to dining only with your usual crew. Sure, it feels cozy and safe, but remember who Jesus chose to break bread with! He embraced the sinners, those who might make you squirm at the thought of sharing a meal. Challenge yourself to reach out to others! Take that bold step to invite newcomers into your circle, to share in laughter and experiences over a meal.

Can I ignite a challenge for all of us? This coming Sunday at church, take a moment to truly look around and seek out someone you’ve never encountered before. Approach them with enthusiasm, introduce yourself with warmth, and dive into meaningful conversation by asking them questions that matter. Keep this alive, and soon, it will become an exhilarating habit you embrace every Sunday!

Paul confronts Peter

For the church to triumph over the insidious grip of false teaching, someone must rise boldly. This person needs to confront it, no matter how discomforting the task may be! Did Paul relish the thought of standing up to Peter? Unlikely! It was an exceedingly uncomfortable and thankless duty, yet someone had to answer the call! The Bible resoundingly declares it is our sacred obligation to rebuke those who boldly sin in public. Generally speaking, we must first approach the person privately. (See Matthew 18:15-17). Then, bring two or three alongside. Ultimately, if necessary, present it to the entire church! Yet, sometimes situations are dire. In these cases, it is crucial to bypass the initial steps. Go straight to the final confrontation. Why is this so vital?

In Peter’s case, the sin went far beyond an individual. It struck at the very heart of a doctrinal issue. This issue reverberated throughout the entire church. This was not merely a concern for a single congregation; it was a matter that impacted believers across the globe! The debate was fierce and centered around grace and justification by faith. It compelled Paul to take a bold stand. He addressed the issue publicly because its ramifications affected us all. Yet, we must recognize that this was an extraordinary situation, not the standard procedure. Normally, we’re called to approach the person directly, granting them the opportunity to repent before escalating matters further. However, this issue had already spiraled out of control, manifesting publicly before the entire church body.

¹⁷ If he doesn’t pay attention to them, tell the church.^[a] If he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like a Gentile and a tax collector to you.

Matthew 18:17

Reflect on Jesus’s profound words in Matthew 18:17. The final recourse is to “tell it to the church.” The sin is already known by the entire congregation. This awareness swiftly advances it to stage 3. Therefore, the first two steps are unnecessary!

So, what do we learn from this?

God has given us the incredible gift of fellowship within the church. It is a divine sanctuary where each of us is fiercely protected. We are all sinners, desperately needing every ounce of support to strive for holiness. Our brothers and sisters form a vital safety net. We must be open-hearted. We need to be ready to listen when they urge us to confront the sins that may entangle our lives. Likewise, we must bravely call attention to the sins lurking in theirs. Though this is a task that can feel deeply uncomfortable, it is absolutely essential. If you find pleasure in this responsibility, you must reflect on your heart’s condition. Yet, despite the discomfort, this divine design is woven into the very fabric of the church.

If the body fails to fulfill its divine role of illuminating sin, it becomes fractured. This affects us all in profound ways. The church desperately needs fearless leaders like Paul, individuals bold enough to champion righteousness over wrongdoing. It requires those who will unflinchingly declare black as black and white as white. In this sacred mission, we must embody humility and extend gentleness at every turn. We are called to confront sin within others with a fervent spirit of love. We must anchor our judgments firmly in the Word. If we embrace this calling, the church will emerge stronger and purer than ever before.

Unchecked sin breeds more sin

The insidious sin of prejudice festered because no one dared to confront the Jews who were perpetuating it. Paul boldly addressed Peter, and then turned to the other Jews, including Barnabas. Mentioning Barnabas was crucial. He was a staunch advocate for the principles of “justification by faith.” He also believed that “Gentiles are equal.” He journeyed with Paul on his first missionary trip. They ventured into distant lands beyond Judea to nurture thriving churches among the Gentiles. He passionately taught the very truths we are uncovering in Galatians. Yet, even he succumbed to the tide of prejudice. This tragic fall reveals the dire consequences of silence. We must rise up and passionately speak out when we witness fellow believers faltering in sin around us!

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Cross References:

• 1 Timothy 5:20
• Galatians 6:1
• James 5:19-20
• Matthew 18:15-17
• Luke 17:3
• Acts 10

Questions to Ponder:

• Who is Cephas?
• What happened when he came to Antioch?
• What does Paul mean that he stood condemned?
• What was Peter doing that Paul disagreed with? What led Peter to change as he had been eating with the Gentiles before?
• How did Peter’s actions influence the other Jews around him?
• What lessons can we learn from this about the importance of leaders and setting a good example?
• What can we learn from this about temptation? Peer pressure?
• How did Paul react when he noticed this? Do you think he was right to mention this in the presence of all? Why might he have done this?
• What lessons can we learn from Paul here? Why is it important for us to confront sinners?

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