Galatians 02:06-19 Paul and Peter

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Text: Galatians 2:6-19

Introduction

1. Paul’s defends his apostleship in Galatians by recounting

a. His limited contact with the other apostles, in particular Peter – Galatians 1:11-24

b. Two episodes when he met with the apostles, especially Peter – Galatians 2:1-21

2. The relationship between Paul and Peter has often been misrepresented

a. That Peter had primacy over Paul (Catholicism)

b. That they had doctrinal differences (Criticism)

3. The Biblical evidence shows otherwise. Both in Galatians and elsewhere in the Scriptures, we note their equality and respect for one another.

Body

I. PAUL’S VISIT TO JERUSALEM

A. THE OCCASION

1. Paul, Barnabas and Titus had gone to Jerusalem by revelation – Galatians 2:1-2

a. Likely the visit to Jerusalem described in Acts 15:2-4

b. Though some think it may have occurred earlier – Acts 11:29-30; 12:25

2. Paul withstood pressure by false teachers – Galatians 2:2-5

a. In a private meeting, he spoke with those “of reputation” (Peter? James? John?)

b. False brethren sought to compel Titus to be circumcised

c. Paul refused to yield to their demands

3. Paul met with Peter, James, and John, who “seemed to be pillars” – Galatians 2:6, 9

B. THE OUTCOME

1. With those “who seemed to be something” (James, Cephas, John) – Galatians 2:6-10

a. They added nothing to Paul (made no demands, gave no instructions or authority)

b. They saw that Paul had been given the gospel to the uncirmcumcision

c. Paul recognized God’s effective work in Peter’s ministry and Peter’s apostleship to the circumcision

d. James, Cephas (Peter) and John perceived the grace given to Paul

e. They extended the right hand of fellowship to Paul

f. They asked only that Paul remember the poor, which he was eager to do

2. Of the meeting together with all the apostles and elders at Jerusalem – Acts 15:6-29

a. Peter related his preaching to the Gentiles, and their salvation without circumcision

b. Paul and Barnabas related their ministry and God’s working among the Gentiles

c. James offered scriptural support, and then a letter to which all agreed

d. The letter confirmed the ministry of “beloved Barnabas and Paul”

3. Paul’s visit to Jerusalem certainly illustrated that he and Peter were in doctrinal agreement regarding the gospel they preached.

II. PETER’S VISIT TO ANTIOCH

A. THE OCCASION

1. Peter played the hypocrite – Galatians 2:11-13

a. He had come to Antioch (some think this was during Acts 15:1; others think it was later)

b. At first he ate with the Gentiles

c. After certain men came from James, Peter withdrew and separated himself

d. He feared those of the circumcision

e. His actions encouraged other Jews to be hypocrites, even Barnabas

2. Paul confronted Peter – Galatians 2:11, 14-19

a. He withstood Peter to his face, because he was to be blamed

b. He rebuked Peter before them all, showing him to be inconsistent

c. Paul’s gospel (justification by faith in Christ, not by the works of the Law) vindicated by Peter, who normally lived like a Gentile himself – cf. Peter also, in Acts 15:7-11

B. THE OUTCOME

1. Paul’s equality with Peter demonstrated – Galatians 2:11,14

a. Paul had the authority to withstand him to his face

b. Paul had the authority to charge him with hypocrisy before all

2. Peter’s respect for Paul undiminished – 2 Peter 3:15-16

a. Peter later described Paul as “our beloved brother Paul”

b. Peter acknowledged the wisdom given to Paul

c. Peter recognized Paul’s epistles as “Scriptures”

3. Peter’s visit to Antioch was not a happy occasion, but it did provide an opportunity to illustrate the equality of Peter and Paul, and that despite Peter’s momentary lapse, his overall life demonstrated that his gospel was the same as Paul’s.

III. LESSONS FROM PAUL AND PETER

A. THE COURAGE OF PAUL

1. We note the courage manifested by Paul in Jerusalem and Antioch

a. Refusing to concede to pressure by false brethren

b. Standing alone with even your closest brethren are led astray

c. Having to rebuke a respected brother in Christ

2. Paul’s courage was motivated by faithfulness

a. Faithfulness to the Lord whom he served

b. Faithfulness to the gospel of which he was not ashamed – Romans 1:16

B. THE HUMILITY OF PETER

1. We note the humility manifested by Peter in his last epistle

a. Not holding a grudge against Paul for his public rebuke

b. Willing to publicly acknowledge Paul’s wisdom given by inspiration

2. Peter’s humility was motivated by love

a. Love for a brother in Christ

b. Love consistent with what he himself taught others – 1 Peter 3:8-9

Conclusion

1. The relationship between Paul and Peter illustrates the power of Christ

a. To turn persecutor and persecuted into coworkers for the gospel

b. To help brethren at odds work through their problems to become brethren beloved

2. While Paul and Peter had a different focus in their respective ministries

a. They served the same Lord, preached the same gospel

b. One was not superior to the other, they were fellow-apostles in the kingdom of God

3. Rather than trying to find some perceived ‘rift’ between two faithful apostles, may we use their examples to motivate us in our service to the Lord and to one another