Peter (brother of Jesus, not the apostle) travels Antioch to visit the gentile christians, participating in fellowship and eating with them (eating in communion was culturally important back then, much more significant that is it today). What made the gentiles questionable to many Jewish Christians was their foreign practises and culture especially regarding how they weren't circumcised. They believed that to be Christian, you must practise Jewish customs. So when these legalistic Judaizers came, Peter caved under pressure avoided the "unclean" gentiles and stopped eating with them. Favouritism was very unsubtle. Paul hears of this, gets pissed and rebukes tf out of Peter as he deliberately wasn't staying true to the gospel message. Peter wasn't ignorant and had to be reminded again that God's children are literally and equally justified by faith alone, not by observations of the law. Peter repentance must've been a huge victory for Paul as he's finally publicly acknowledged to have the apostolic authority as the og 12.
I reckon this holds so much important to Churches today and throughout history. Godly men are capable of making bad decisions, sometimes even deliberately. To make sure Cheil is for God and not man is by us submitting to the truth even if it hurts out pride and breaks down our natural prejudices. Our leaders must test every teaching and every decision according to the gospel, when they waver I pray that we are prepared enough to confront them in love and theology.
Pray/response:
- Rest in God in biblical manner during holidays
- Test my leaders teachings and decisions agains't scripture, Confront them if necessary
- Lady "L" will persist in her pursuit of you and spread the gospel
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