Lesson 10 June 30, 2002

Review

Summary 2:12-13

1. See here an example of fear neutralizing a believer, Peter, in his life, ministry.

2. Peter concluded I believe, and wrongly at that, that his fellowshipping with the Gentiles would somehow neutralize his ministry to Jews.

3. Therefore he compromised the truth as his solution.

4. They were hypocritical because they were failing to apply the truth they knew.

5. The church at Antioch faced a crisis situation, a split along racial lines, Jew/Gentile all because of one man's fear.

6. No one is immune from negative volition, no application, not even an Apostle.

7. Here we see operation bandwagon, others jumping on the hypocrisy started by Peter.

8. One of the greatest blows to Paul personally had to be the defection of Barnabas

2:14 Waffling on the Truth

We find here they knew at least the basics of the truth, that should have motivated them to take different actions, not succumb to the legalists.

But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel,

- Paul defines the limits about which they are wavering and waffling.

the truth of the gospel,

Paul takes action

I said to Peter before them all

Paul exposes the hypocrisy

"If you, being a Jew, (and you are 1^cc) live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

Paul's indictment why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

Summary 2:14

1. Because of the seriousness of the issue Paul gets right to the issue, asks Peter to explain his inconsistency with the Truth.

2. How do we know Peter knew? That is that the levitical regulations related to diet, what was clean or unclean were no longer in force. Acts 10:28 [gives BL]

3. Peter's waffling on the truth had a negative impact on the fellowship in the Church at Antioch. It was drawing lines between Jew and Gentile that would if not handled quickly divide the church.

4. Because of the negative impact of what Peter had done Paul was quick to rebuke him to prevent further wavering from the truth.

2:15 Race is not an issue in justification

"We are Jews by nature

and not sinners from among the Gentiles;

2:16 The meaning of justification, knowing the facts

Paul nails 5 important truths related to Justification here in verse 16. This is foundational truth!

Truth #1 "to be justified" means to be declared righteous before God

The verb is dikaio,w to declare just or right. [Rom 3:24]

Truth #2 "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law"