Pastors In The Old Testament, Articles P

8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. Answer To rebuke someone is to criticize him or her sharply. What else could our Lord have meant by these words: But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth (Acts 1:8). But when they are biblically wrong, we should speak out against the error as we refuse to go along. Paul was Gods chosen instrument to define, proclaim, and protect the gospel. They were less than zealous to initiate the preaching of the gospel to Gentileseven after they acknowledged Gods purpose was to save the Gentiles, and even after the Lords commission to do so (see Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). The Jews were encouraged to think and act in un-Christlike ways towards the Gentiles. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. Peter speaks not of one of Pauls letters, but of all his letters (verse 16). In chapters 3-5, Peter and John are the dominant personalities among the apostles. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Paul is given the right hand of fellowship by Peter, James (the half-brother of our Lord and prominent leader in the Jerusalem church), and John, but this is as one who is the apostle to the Gentiles (2:8). CHAPTER VERSE Acts 16:16 "And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:" King James Version (KJV) < Previous Verse Next Verse > View Chapter Acts 16:16 Context Let us consider some lessons which we can learn from the course of action taken in this matter by these two apostles. Since the consequences and implications of Peter's action were so destructive to the unity and spiritual integrity of the church, Paul had no choice but to confront Peter in front of them all to prove that his action was wrong. 13And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. Our conviction also is that Peters words reflect not only Pauls apostolic authority, but also Peters acknowledgment of the tremendous impact Paul had on the church and on the gospel. He was summarily called on the carpet to explain his actions. 4 And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 [to be specific], that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of Gods grace which was given to me according to the working of His power (Ephesians 3:1-7). If Pauls epistles are distorted by false teachers, it is not his fault. 12 Before some men who had been sent by James arrived there, Peter had been eating with the Gentile believers. 14When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. Paul was therefore very concerned about how the Gentiles were evangelized. Gentile believers would have seen these implications of Peter's action even if Peter did not. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. From the very beginning, tt was obvious that Peter would play a key role in the Gospels and a key role as a disciple of our Lord (see John 1:42). They are Scripture, on a par with the Old Testament Scriptures and the New Testament Scriptures as well. 11Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. In his own life, he had the freedom to make his own choices, and when humans do that, even when they show forth a pattern of being faithful servants of God, they still will make some mistakes. 2 PETER 2:16 KJV "But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass 11But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. As a Christ-follower, we must be prepared to confront people for the sin and error of their ways, no matter who they are. Much of the communication gap between opposing viewpoints, between mates, between generations, is simply a refusal to hear the other side for fear we might have to admit it is true or we might have to change. 16(A)Yet we know that a person is put right with God only through faith in Jesus Christ, never by doing what the Law requires. He accused Peter of hypocrisy. 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. In fact, Paul rebuked his fellow-apostle before them all, that is, in the presence of others who were involved (Galatians 2:14). In this case, of what sin was Peter guilty? Last fall on Twitter I made the claim that Paul confronted Peter (as recounted in Galatians 2:11ff.) Paul is regarded as such by Peter, and he should be so regarded by all the saints. They were right to concentrate on prayer and the ministry of the word. So do many ancient writers. Ga 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch. Instead we find Jesus rebuking all of them for wanting some type of preeminence. In chapter 2, we are told that the church devoted themselves to the apostles [plural] teaching (verse 42), not the apostles [i.e. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn't eat with the Gentiles anymore. Paul Rebukes Peter - Bible Hub They were not heavyweights to him as seen in his words concerning them: 6 But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. And certainly they were reluctant to believe that Gentiles should be evangelized (Acts 10-11). 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. We find that Paul publicly rebuked Peter face-to-face. In Performing the Ministry of Correction, We Must Guard Ourselves from Temptation, Especially with the Opposite Sex. He also acted in complete opposition to the vision God had given him earlier that the Gentiles were to be considered equal to the Jews. 14But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? James, the apostle, was put to death by Herod earlier as recorded by Luke in Acts 12. If a brother or sister in the Christ has sinned against me in a personal matter, that is between me and them and I should attempt to resolve it in a private manner. Wherefore rebuke them sharply. Indeed, Peter looks upon Paul as a brotherand ever further stillPaul is a beloved brother. Do you remember that? He is declaring to his readers that Pauls epistles are the inspired Word of God. 7-9). 49. 1 Corinthians: The Troubled Church | Bible.org In so doing, Paul fulfills the purpose of God for him revealed at the time of his salvation: 15 But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My names sake (Acts 9:15-16). Peter is to Paul in Acts what John the Baptist is to Jesus in the Gospels. 2 Peter 2:16 KJV: But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. In Acts 21, Paul returns to Jerusalem bringing with him some representatives from the Gentile churches who carried contributions for the poor from grateful believers who had come to faith in Christ. Even the apostles were infected with this superiority complex and reticent to accept that God had indeed chosen to save Gentiles as well as Jews. Some unbelieving friend comes along and our convictions get sidelined. 13And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. We dare not ignore sin in the name of submission. Philip, one the seven deacons selected in Acts 6 (verse 5), began to emerge as an evangelist (see Acts 21:8) and was used of God to win large numbers of the Samaritans to faith in Christ (Acts 8:5-13). Late in his ministry, Paul calls himself the chief of sinners ( 1 Timothy 1:15 ). It was only as a result of the rejection of the gospel by the Jews that Paul and Barnabas focused their attention on Gentile evangelism (Acts 13:44-52). This is not to say God let the native Hebrew apostles off the hook that easily. Paul was there as well, along with Barnabas and others. It was the Hellenistic Jews like Philip, Paul, and Barnabas who were on the cutting edge of Gentile evangelism. Just as the principle of plurality means no one individuals authority is absolute, no ones submission is absolute either. Even this was not due to the efforts or encouragement of the apostles. Peter, when Jews from Jerusalem showed up in the city, began to vacillate in his convictions. Peter's response to the delegation from Jerusalem and his withdrawal from the integrated fellowship of the church has been exonerated by some who think he was appropriately sensitive to the demands of his own mission to the Jews and was simply accommodating himself to those he was trying to win to Christ. But in addition, Peter is admitting he was wrong, and Paul was right. Galatians 2:11-14 - KJV - But when Peter was come to An - Christianity The same thing could be said for the Old Testament. How, then, can you try to force Gentiles to live like Jews?. (6) Pauls writings are inspired and authoritative in matters where he goes beyond that revealed by the other apostles, through whom God also revealed Scripture. That says a lot about both of those men. 12When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. 1 Timothy 5:1-2. (v. 14). 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barna. (5) The teachings of Paul do not disagree with those of Peter or the other apostles. Our final authority is the Word of God. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn't eat with the Gentiles anymore. For example, when a husband (like myself) finds it impossible to understand my wifes point of view, it is not really because she has failed to communicate clearly, but because I am not receptive to the message. The Book of Acts portrays a very interesting relationship between Peter and Paul. Why did Paul rebuke Peter in ( Gal 2:11-21 )? Acts 13:6-17 - The Blinding of Bar-Jesus - Reading Acts Paul seems to have to stand alone, along with Barnabas and Titus, in his confrontation with these legalistic Jewish heretics. By his words in 2 Peter 3, Peter indicates that Paul is not one of the false teachers described in his second epistle, and that Paul is an apostle, an apostle whom God independently saved and discipled, apart from the other apostles the Lord had chosen as His disciples. It is not surprising that the churches that were founded were led by a plurality of elders. All crucial decisions in Acts were made collectively, by a group. They wanted apostles for the Jews and apostles for the Gentiles. [ a] 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas wa. 12Before some men who had been sent by James arrived there, Peter had been eating with the Gentile believers. Even those with the same spiritual gift each have a unique calling and role to play (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). A:The city of Antioch (where people were first called Christians: Acts 11:26) was where this occurred. The apostles were hesitant to accept him as a new believer (Acts 9:26). For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,- American Standard Version (1901)This witness is true. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord (Acts 11:19-21). 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. Peter had contradicted the gospel. So great was his learning that Festus said, Paul, you are out of your mind! Paul had just written that he was no man-pleaser (1:10f.). When the Scriptures instruct us to correct a brother or sister overtaken by a fault (see Matthew 18:15-20; Romans 15:14; Galatians 6:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:14), this does not mean only our peers. Because of this action, Paul called Peter a hypocrite. Peter had contradicted the gospel. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. Peter did a wrong thing, and Paul rebuked him for it. The apostles understood their primary calling to be prayer and the ministry of the word (6:4). Evil wild beasts - Fierce and savage.1:14 Commandments of men - The Jewish or other teachers, whoever they were that turned from the truth.1:15 To the pure - Those whose hearts are purified by faith this we allow. 11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. I doubt Peter was surprised by this charge. One can hardly envision this Peter of the Gospels welcoming Paul into the circle of the apostles with open arms. Galatians 2:11 KJV. A friend I met a number of years ago when our church hosted a Prison Fellowship Discipleship Seminar will graduate soon from Wheaton Bible College. The Holy Spirit guided Jesus apostles to communicate the gospel without mistakes, both orally and in writing. But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. This led to a number of conversations related to biblical decision-making.