Paul Rebuked Peter

Galatians 2

    Here is a younger apostle rebuking an older apostle before the entire body of Christ. You who are familiar with this incident will learn several valuable lessons.

1. Even great leaders (who are still men) are liable to make great mistakes.

1. Paul rebuked Peter before them all because, to keep the truth of justification by faith is more important than to keep the peace.

1. There is no doctrine about which we ought to be more zealous and set for its defense as, "How God can be just and justifier."

1. A man is not to be believed and followed because he is old and experienced, or because he holds a high office in the church, or because he is well-taught and gifted as a preacher.

    Peter had all of these credentials! But he erred when he implied by his action that the works of the law have a part in our justification before God. Peter did not actually say this, but his actions certainly indicated he had a problem with it.