Knowing When to Take a Stand

An abstract of Connor Kraus’ sermon on September 29, 2024 in the Galatians series. Watch the sermon video here.

Have you ever been in a situation where you knew something was wrong but weren't sure if you should speak up? Maybe it was noticing a coworker taking credit for someone else's work or seeing a friend being mistreated by their partner. Speaking up can be really hard, especially if it means going against popular opinion or risking a friendship.

In the early Christian church, the apostle Paul faced a similar dilemma. He had to decide whether to confront his friend Peter about some harmful behavior, even though Peter was a respected leader. Paul's decision to take a stand teaches us some important lessons about unity, conflict, and standing up for what's right.

The Background: A Tale of Two Cities

To understand what happened, we need to look at two important cities in the early church: Jerusalem and Antioch.

Jerusalem was where Christianity started. It was home to many Jewish believers who followed Jesus but still kept Jewish customs. Leaders like Peter, James, and John were based there.

Antioch was different. It was a big city with both Jewish and non-Jewish (Gentile) believers. Paul had been teaching there for over 10 years. It was actually the first place where followers of Jesus were called "Christians."

In the beginning, there was some confusion about whether non-Jewish believers needed to follow Jewish laws to be true Christians. Paul and the other leaders met in Jerusalem and agreed that salvation comes through faith in Jesus alone, not by following religious rules.

Everything seemed settled. But then Peter came to visit Antioch, and things got complicated.

Peter's Visit: From Unity to Division

At first, Peter's visit went great. He ate meals with all the believers, both Jewish and non-Jewish. This was a big deal because traditionally, Jews didn't eat with non-Jews. By sharing meals, Peter was showing that in Christ, those old divisions didn't matter anymore.

But then some other visitors arrived from Jerusalem. They were part of a group called the "circumcision party" who thought non-Jewish believers should follow Jewish laws. Suddenly, Peter started to pull away from the non-Jewish Christians. He stopped eating with them and only hung out with the Jewish believers.

This might not sound like a big deal to us, but in that culture, who you ate with was super important. By separating himself, Peter was basically saying the non-Jewish believers weren't good enough. Other Jewish Christians, including Paul's friend Barnabas, followed Peter's example.

Paul saw that this was causing major problems:

1.     It divided the church into two groups.

2.     It was hurting the non-Jewish believers, making them feel like second-class Christians.

3.     It was confusing people about the true message of the gospel.

Paul knew he had to do something. But confronting Peter, one of the most respected leaders in the church, wouldn't be easy.

Paul's Decision: Confrontation for the Greater Good

Paul decided to confront Peter publicly about his behavior. He pointed out that Peter was being a hypocrite – acting one way when the Jerusalem visitors weren't around, and another way when they were. Paul reminded Peter that salvation comes through faith in Jesus, not by following religious rules.

This confrontation must have been really awkward and uncomfortable. But Paul knew that the truth of the gospel and the unity of the church were more important than avoiding conflict.

So why did Paul think this issue was worth confronting Peter about? Here are a few reasons:

1. The gospel was at stake. If people thought they needed to follow Jewish laws to be saved, that went against the core message of Christianity – that we're saved by faith in Jesus, not by following rules.

2. It was causing division. The church was splitting into two groups, undoing the unity that Jesus wanted for his followers.

3. People were being hurt. The non-Jewish believers were being made to feel like they weren't real Christians unless they followed Jewish customs.

4. It could lead to bigger problems. If this thinking spread, it could change the whole nature of Christianity and make it much harder for non-Jews to become believers.

Lessons for Us: When to Take a Stand

Paul's example gives us some guidance for when we might need to speak up about problems in our own churches or Christian communities:

1. When the core message of the gospel is at stake. If someone is teaching something that goes against the basic truths of Christianity (like saying there are many ways to heaven, or that Jesus wasn't really God), that's worth speaking up about.

2. When people are being divided or hurt. If certain groups of people are being excluded or made to feel less valuable, that goes against Jesus' teaching that all believers are equal.

3. When leaders are setting a bad example. Leaders have a big influence. If they're behaving in ways that confuse people about what it means to follow Jesus, it's important to address it.

4. When staying silent would make things worse. Sometimes not saying anything is the same as approving of what's happening. If a problem is serious and likely to grow, it's better to deal with it sooner rather than later.

How to Confront: Paul's Approach

While Paul thought the issue was serious enough to confront Peter, he didn't just start yelling or gossiping. Here's what we can learn from his approach:

1. He confronted directly. Paul went straight to Peter, not talking behind his back.

2. He focused on the behavior, not attacking Peter as a person. Paul pointed out what Peter was doing wrong, but didn't insult him or question his faith.

3. He explained why it mattered. Paul showed how Peter's actions were affecting others and confusing the message of the gospel.

4. He appealed to shared beliefs. Paul reminded Peter of what they both knew to be true about salvation through faith.

The Importance of Relationship

One reason Paul's confrontation was effective was that he and Peter had a relationship. They were both apostles who had worked together before. This gave Paul the right to speak into Peter's life, and it meant Peter was more likely to listen.

This teaches us that we're often most effective at addressing problems with people we're close to. It's easier for a friend to point out when we're off track than for a stranger to do it.

Finding the Balance

It's important to remember that unity should usually be our first goal as Christians. Jesus prayed that his followers would be united, and the early church amazed people by how they loved each other despite their differences.

But sometimes, like in Paul's situation with Peter, unity can't come at the expense of truth or justice. When core beliefs are at stake or people are being genuinely hurt, that's when we might need to take a stand.

The key is wisdom to know the difference between:

• Major issues that are worth confronting

• Medium issues where we can disagree but still work together

• Minor issues that aren't worth dividing over

Seeking God's guidance through prayer, studying the Bible, and getting advice from mature Christians can help us figure out how to handle difficult situations.

Conclusion: Courage for the Right Reasons

Speaking up against wrong things, especially when done by people we respect, takes a lot of courage. But sometimes it's necessary to protect the truth and help the church be what God intends.

Paul's example shows us that there are times when unity might be temporarily broken for the sake of a greater unity based on truth. When we confront with love, wisdom, and the right motives, God can use even difficult conversations to bring healing and growth to his church.

Next time you face a situation where you're not sure whether to speak up or stay quiet, remember Paul's example. Pray for wisdom, seek godly advice, and be willing to take a stand when it really matters. It might be uncomfortable in the moment, but it could make a big difference in the long run.