Justification by Faith - Part 1
Notes
Transcript
John Stott – “This is without doubt one of the most tense and dramatic episodes in the NT. Here are two leading apostles of Jesus Christ face to face in complete and open conflict.”
The scene has changed form Jerusalem, where we ended our last study (cf. 2:1), to Antioch, the chief city of Syria, even of Asia, where evangelism of Gentiles bore fruit (Acts 11:19-21), where the first Gentile mission began, and where the disciples were first called “Christians” (Acts 11:26).
When Paul visited Jerusalem, Peter (together with James & John) gave him “…the right hand of fellowship” (2:9). However, when Peter visited Antioch, Paul opposed him to his face (2:11-16)!
· Both were Christians!
· Both were men of God!
· Both knew the forgiveness of Christ and had received the Holy Spirit!
· As Apostles, both were specially called, commissioned, and vested with the authority of Christ!
· Both were honored in the Church for their leadership and both were used by God in their perspective ministries (cf. 2:8)!
· The Book of Acts is virtually divided in half by them, the first part telling the story of Peter and the second part the story of Paul!
Yet our passage today finds the Apostle Paul opposing Peter to his face—condemning, contradicting, rebuking and correcting him because, “…they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel” (v.14).
· NASV, NKJV – “…they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel”
· NRSV – “…they were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel”
· KJV – “…they walked not uprightly accordingto the truth of the gospel”
· ESV – “…their conduct was not in step withthe truth of the gospel”
Peter knew the truth of the gospel, but his actions were not consistent with his belief!
Paul’s rebuke was NOT Peter’s teaching, but his conduct!
· Can I get a witness? Anyone here struggle with your conduct not matching your behavior?
It’s at this point that we might identify with Peter and need to be reminded of our “Justification by Faith Alone!”, which is the title of this morning’s message.
Again, in the words of John Stott, “We must investigate this situation, in which these two leading apostles were at loggerheads.”
I. The Conductof Peter – (2:11-13)
I. The Conductof Peter – (2:11-13)
1. What Paul Did – (vv.11-12)
1. What Paul Did – (vv.11-12)
The NIV states it simply and clearly, “…he was in the wrong”, but that does not seem to carry the weight of the issue. The KJV, NKJV – “…to be blamed”; NASB, ESV – “…he stood condemned”, which is a bit stronger.
The NRSV best translates κατεγνωσμένος (having been condemned) ἦν (he was). – “…because he stood self-condemned.”
The verb is perfect tense (a completed action), and depending on the grammar, either middle or passive voice (sometimes referred to as divine passive—God is doing this).
“What did Peter do that was so clearly wrong?” – (vv.11-12)
“…he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group”— He attempted to trade his grilled ham & cheese for a MLT (mutton-lettuce-tomato)!
MORE than the food (which we are not told what they were eating), the real sin was that “…he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid!”
The “circumcision group” has already made their declaration – (Acts 15:1, 5)!
I must point out that this is not an external attack, but one that came from within!
KEY: To allow someone/anyone to intimidate us and segregate usis a sinthat is clearly “…in the wrong!”
WHY? – It is a DENIAL of a foundational truth of the Gospel – (Galatians 3:26-29)!
Our baptism is the great equalizer of all believers!When you identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ—which is what immersion in water depicts, you have “…clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (3:27-28).
DON’T LET SOMEBODY’S RULES SEPARATE YOU FROM THE BODY OF CHRIST! “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” – (3:26)!
2. WHY Paul Did It – (v.12)
2. WHY Paul Did It – (v.12)
Q: Stott writes, “Why did Peter create this disastrous breach in the fellowship of the church in Antioch?”
He KNEW God had accepted the Gentiles – (Acts 10:1-48)!
Peter had effectively and convincingly defended the baptism of Gentiles in Caesarea to the leadership of the church in Jerusalem! – (Acts 11:1-18)
Yet in Antioch, he pulls away!
A: (v.12c) – “…because he was afraid” – Fear!
Fear is paralyzing! Fear can bind us. Fear can hinder us. Fear can keep us from acting as we should. Fear can keep us from speaking the truth!
Make no mistake, the one who intimidates is guilty, but if you allow someone else to keep you from “…acting in line with the truth of the gospel” (v.14), then YOU are the one who is “clearly in the wrong!”
When you stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, what will you say?
“Lord, surely you must know how intimidating old so-and-so can be? I mean, I wanted to do the right thing, but she’s got a stare that will spook a grizzly!”
Before you spend too much time trying to figure out if I’m talking about you, or your neighbor (some of you are looking around right now, trying to spot the person with the stink-eye) can I say to you experience has shown that it’s not the one who glares that scares, but the one that I care too much about what they might think of me. My fear of rejection is the paralyzing fear-factor!
What then is the REMEDY (no rebuke without a remedy)? How do I overcome fear?
“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
If you’re going to be afraid, then be afraid of God!
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
If you’re afraid of someone, then ask God for a perfect love of that person—a love that “…drives out fear!”
3. What Happened as a RESULT? – (v.13)
3. What Happened as a RESULT? – (v.13)
“…joined him in his hypocrisy” is from one word: συνυπεκρίθησαν (synypekrithēsan) – ‘to act in a manner contrary to beliefs or opinions that one holds along with another or others.’
“…even Barnabas was led astray.” Barnabas, who had stood with Paul in Jerusalem (2:1, 9), now gave way in Antioch.
When you cave in to fear, others will likely follow!
The opposite is also true: when you stand for truth, others will stand with you!
Stott – “If Paul had not taken his stand against Peter that day, either the whole Christian church would have drifted into a Jewish backwater and stagnated, or there would have been a permanent rift between Gentile and Jewish Christendom, ‘one Lord, but two Lord’s tables’. Paul’s outstanding courage on that occasion in resisting Peter preserved both the truth of the gospel and the international brotherhood of the church.”
NEXT WEEK we will consider the conduct of Paul and his message to Peter and the Galatian churches…
Conclusion
Conclusion
What do we learn from our study today? How do we apply this message?
1. We must walk straight according to the truth of the Gospel!
1. We must walk straight according to the truth of the Gospel!
It’s not enough to believe the simple gospel message (Peter, the other Jews in Antioch, and Barnabas did), we must apply it!
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
If we are truly saved by grace through faith—not of works, then we must ACT LIKE IT!
2. We must not allow fear of what others might think of us to cause us to become instruments of division in the Body of Christ!
2. We must not allow fear of what others might think of us to cause us to become instruments of division in the Body of Christ!
It is our faith in Christ that makes us sons and daughters of God—and therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ!
In baptism we are clothed with Christ and are made one in Jesus—“…Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal 3:26-29)!