The table of freedom
Antioch was the epitome of the Gospel. Jews and Gentiles sharing meals together - meals formerly unclean, made clean by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Antioch was the leading pillar of Christianity, even sending Jewish believers out to preach to Gentiles. Peter fully embraces this culture and no doubt enjoyed it. But when the legalisers arrive from Jerusalem, he crumbles under the pressure of the law and undoes all the hard work done to get Antioch to where it was. Paul calls him out on it and we can learn from this incredible, unusual encounter!
Scripture
Galatians 2:11-14 ESV But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. (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. (13) And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. (14) But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
Bible Study Questions
Special Antioch
Antioch is an exquisite depiction of God’s plan for His people, that Jews and Gentiles will share in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We see this in how they share meals together. Explain the Christian ideal of open-table fellowship
Galatians 2:12 ESV 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.
Zeceriah 2:11 ESV And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
Act 13:1-3 ESV Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (2) While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (3) Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Enter the legalisers!
Peter was enjoying enacting the gospel with the Gentiles in good fellowship!! Then the Judaizers came in and Peter had a moment of conscience that caused him to turn his back on the gospel, described by Paul as a terrible hypocrisy. What did the Jusaizers want?
Galatians 2:12 ESV 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.
Acts 15:1 ESV But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Why, oh, why, Peter?
Peter has been through so much. After being the first to proclaim Christ as Lord, he was also the first to deny Him. Peter was the first to reveal the gospel to the Gentiles, now he is the first one to deny them. How can this happen to the “Rock” of Christ’s church?
Galatians 2:12 ESV 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.
Mark 8:27-30 ESV And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.
Mark 14:72 ESV And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
Acts 10:44-45 ESV While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. (45) And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
Romans 3:23 ESV for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Paul’s response
In modern terms, we could say that in response to Peter’s hypocrisy, Paul roasted Peter. We certainly don’t see many conflicts like this between two of the key Apostles (Peter to the Jews and Paul to the Gentiles). Why was Paul’s response so sharp?
Galatians 2:11 ESV But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
Galatians 2:14 ESV But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
The truth in love
So we see Paul fighting for the truth of the gospel - go Paul!! We can learn a lot from Paul. Later week, Peter explained that when we have to keep fighting, we stand the risk of getting a hard heart. How can we fight for the gospel truth, without getting a hard heart?
Galatians 2:11 ESV But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
Galatians 2:14 ESV But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
Matthew 5:13 ESV “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
Ephesians 3:17-19 ESV So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
People we don’t want to eat with
Do you experience an alternative table seating arrangement in our church or community? What are the dividing lines? Which groups or types of people would you not want to eat with?
Galatians 2:11 ESV But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
Galatians 2:14 ESV But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
Our response
Having read this week’s scriptures and supporting thoughts and scriptures, how do you think we should respond?
1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Galatians 2:16 ESV Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.