Summary: Before this, Paul records his being commissioned by Peter to go to the gentiles, which was what he was eager to do. Also, he uses the apostles to credit his Gospel in saying that they had agreed and that even Timothy who had been with them was not made to be circumcised because it was unnecessary by Christ’s blood. Now Paul is giving another account in order to prove his Gospel’s authenticity. This time he records a time in which Peter did not walk in step with the truth of the Gospel, in that Christ came to unite all people to the Father, gentiles included (Eph. 1: 10, 3:6). Peter’s fault led even the most steadfast to falter in their belief system so it is important to note that Paul is in Peter’s face in this account, despite Peter’s apostolic authority.
Note: Despite which stance you have as to what time frame is being referred to here (either Acts 11 or Acts 15).
Timeless principle: Here Paul is continuing his defense of the one true Gospel. He first started off just preceding this text in saying that his Gospel had been checked by the apostles so that he may now that he had not been laboring in vain. And now he records another event regarding Peter, one of the ones “who seemed influential,” but this time with a very different reason. Here Paul again testifying that he did not need the apostle’s approval for if he had needed it then the outcome of this recorded event would have been different. So then what is the event? Peter in Acts 10 makes a dramatic declaration, that God shows “no partiality,” that God has given all, both Jews and gentiles the right to be counted clean, perfect, and righteous sons of the highest God. But in this chapter, which would have occurred after his proclamation in Acts 10, Peter pulls away from the gentiles as not to hurt his reputation in front of some of the Jews who had come along with James. He denied the truth of the Gospel by his works. Well then why does Paul include this in his defense? The answer may be found in what his reaction towards Peter’s actions. So then what were his actions? He rebuked him to his face. Now tying this to his defense of the Gospel. Paul is using this account to beg the question if I were after anyone’s approval then I would not have got in the face of the person whom I need acceptance from? Paul is saying that he got his Gospel from Christ himself not from some man, not even the “influential” Cephas. This claim is given wait to by a text earlier on this book which proclaims that even if angels from heaven were to try to speak another Gospel then let them be accursed for there is only and can only be one true Gospel.
So then, this leads us to a central application. Which is begged in the question, Who do I need to have like me? Who do I need to say they love me? Is it my parents, my friends, some girl I like, or even from spiritual leadership in my life. The truth is none of these things really matter, none bear any significance. Paul, if he would have needed anyone’s approval it would have been Peter, the big dog of the church, but he opposed him to his face at the slightest hint of an action out of alignment with the truth of the gospel. Likewise, I need no one’s approval especially if that approval leads to away from truth.
My Prayer: Father, you are the one true God, immutable, all-powerful, perfectly just while overwhelmingly loving. Your have not lied you can not learn for you know all and what you have promised remains truth forever. The very essence of truth only is truth because you have defined it around yourself who is the ultimate and overwhelming truth. Father I thank you for your willingness to snatch me out of darkness when I did not want to be snatched, for entrusting me with the most glorious news ever revealed to man kind, such that through me, a deprived sinner, some may come to find this light as well. Continue to work within me no matter the cost. And may I never fight for man’s approval especially if it causes me to turn from your Gospel. Your are my everything. I pray all these thins in Christ’s name Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment