Christ and…

Scripture: Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.  The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.  Galatians 2:11,12 NIV

Observation: Paul is calling Peter on the carpet for his hypocrisy.

Application: Paul points out that by Peter behaving hypocritically, even Barnabas is lead to believe that there are Jewish Christians and there are Gentile Christians and “never the two shall meet.”  Many of the Jews couldn’t accept the fact that Christ’s death and resurrection was enough, there had to be more.  Maybe Christ and eating only certain foods, or maybe Christ and not lifting a finger on the Sabbath, or maybe Christ and circumcision.  Paul told Peter that he needed to stand firm and instruct the Jews that it’s Christ and nothing more.  It was correct for him to associate with Gentiles–they were Christians too.  There was nothing else that they had to do to gain eternal life and he needed to witness to “the circumcision group” by being accepting of the Gentiles in their presence. Their future, just like the Jews, was assured when they accepted that Christ was God, that he died, and that he rose again to life.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for not requiring anything from me except that I accept Christ as my savior so that I may go to heaven.  I wouldn’t be able to make it without that grace. Thank you. Amen

Doug