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privileges of the Jews as a nation。 When they saw the Christian church
departing from the ceremonies and traditions of Judaism； and perceived that
the peculiar sacredness with which the Jewish customs had been invested
would soon be lost sight of in the light of the new faith； many grew
indignant with Paul as the one who had； in a large measure； caused this
change。 Even the disciples were not all prepared to accept willingly the
decision of the council。 Some were zealous for the ceremonial law； and they
regarded Paul with disfavor because they thought that his principles in
regard to the obligations of the Jewish law were lax。
The broad and far…reaching decisions of the general council brought
confidence into the ranks of the Gentile believers； and the cause of God
prospered。 In Antioch the church was favored with the presence of Judas and
Silas； the special messengers who had returned with the apostles from the
meeting in Jerusalem。 〃Being prophets also themselves；〃 Judas and Silas；
〃exhorted the brethren with many words； and confirmed them。〃 These godly men
tarried in Antioch for a time。 〃Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch；
teaching and preaching the word of the Lord； with many others also。〃
When Peter； at a later date； visited Antioch； he won the confidence of many
by his prudent conduct toward the
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Gentile converts。 For a time he acted in accordance with the light given
from heaven。 He so far overcame his natural prejudice as to sit at table
with the Gentile converts。 But when certain Jews who were zealous for the
ceremonial law； came from Jerusalem； Peter injudiciously changed his
deportment toward the converts from paganism。 A number of the Jews
〃dissembled likewise with him； insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away
with their dissimulation。〃 This revelation of weakness on the part of those
who had been respected and loved as leaders； left a most painful impression
on the minds of the Gentile believers。 The church was threatened with
division。 But Paul； who saw the subverting influence of the wrong done to
the church through the double part acted by Peter； openly rebuked him for
thus disguising his true sentiments。 In the presence of the church； Paul
inquired of Peter； 〃If thou； being a Jew； livest after the manner of
Gentiles； and not as do the Jews； why compellest thou the Gentiles to live
as do the Jews？〃 Galatians 2：13； 14。
Peter saw the error into which he had fallen； and immediately set about
repairing the evil that had been wrought； so far as was in his power。 God；
who knows the end from the beginning； permitted Peter to reveal this
weakness of character in order that the tried apostle might see that there
was nothing in himself whereof he might boast。 Even the best of men； if left
to themselves； will err in judgment。 God also saw that in time to come some
would be so deluded as to claim for Peter and his pretended successors the
exalted prerogatives that belong to God alone。 And this record of
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the apostle's weakness was to remain as a proof of his fallibility and of
the fact that he stood in no way above the level of the other apostles。
The history of this departure from right principles stands as a solemn
warning to men in positions of trust in the cause of God； that they may not
fail in integrity； but firmly adhere to principle。 The greater the
responsibilities placed upon the human agent； and the larger his
opportunities to dictate and control； the more harm he is sure to do if he
does not carefully follow the way of the Lord and labor in harmony with the
decisions arrived at by the general body of believers in united council。
After all Peter's failures； after his fall and restoration； his long course
of service； his intimate acquaintance with Christ； his knowledge of the
Saviour's straightforward practice of right principles； after all the
instruction he had received； all the gifts and knowledge and influence he
had gained by preaching and teaching the wordis it not strange that he
should dissemble and evade the principles of the gospel through fear of man；
or in order to gain esteem？ Is it not strange that he should waver in his
adherence to right？ May God give every man a realization of his
helplessness； his inability to steer his own vessel straight and safe into
the harbor。
In his ministry； Paul was often compelled to stand alone。 He was specially
taught of God and dared make no concessions that would involve principle。 At
times the burden was heavy； but Paul stood firm for the right。 He realized
that the church must never be brought under the control
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of human power。 The traditions and maxims of men must not take the place of
revealed truth。 The advance of the gospel message must not be hindered by
the prejudices and preferences of men； whatever might be their position in
the church。
Paul had dedicated himself and all his powers to the service of God。 He had
received the truths of the gospel direct from heaven； and throughout his
ministry he maintained a vital connection with heavenly agencies。 He had
been taught by God regarding the binding of unnecessary burdens upon the
Gentile Christians； thus when the Judaizing believers introduced into the
Antioch church the question of circumcision； Paul knew the mind of the
Spirit of God concerning such teaching and took a firm and unyielding
position which brought to the churches freedom from Jewish rites and
ceremonies。
Notwithstanding the fact that Paul was personally taught by God； he had no
strained ideas of individual responsibility。 While looking to God for direct
guidance； he was ever ready to recognize the authority vested in the body of
believers united in church fellowship。 He felt the need of counsel； and when
matters of importance arose； he was glad to lay these before the church and
to unite with his brethren in seeking God for wisdom to make right
decisions。 Even 〃the spirits of the prophets；〃 he declared； 〃are subject to
the prophets。 For God is not the author of confusion； but of peace； as in
all churches of the saints。〃 1 Corinthians 14：32；
33。 With Peter； he taught that all united in church capacity
should be 〃subject one to another。〃 1 Peter 5：5。
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Chapter 20
Exalting the Cross
After spending some time in ministry at Antioch； Paul proposed to his fellow
worker that they set forth on another missionary journey。 〃Let us go again；〃
he said to Barnabas； 〃and visit our brethren in every city where we have
preached the word of the Lord； and see how they do。〃
Both Paul and Barnabas had a tender regard for those who had recently
accepted the gospel message under their ministry； and they longed to see
them once more。 This solicitude Paul never lost。 Even when in distant
mission fields； far from the scene of his earlier labors； he continued to
bear upon his heart the burden of urging these converts to remain faithful；
〃perfecting holiness in the fear of God。〃
2 Corinthians 7：1。 Constant