As more and more Gentiles followed Christ (chiefly in the Galatian churches Paul planted), the question arose: did they need to adopt all the religious rites Jewish Christians followed? In Antioch, Paul wrote, even Peter and Barnabas were intimidated and stopped eating with Gentile Christians. Paul found that outrageous and destructive. Faith in Jesus, he said, not identical ritual behaviors, was the reality that united all Christians.

• For Paul, this issue struck at the core of the life mission he believed Jesus had called him to carry out. If “pure” Christians should avoid contact with second-class Gentile Christians, then in effect Gentiles weren’t really welcome at all in God’s family. But that was nonsense, Paul insisted, because “no one will be made righteous by the works of the Law.” Which “works of the Law” are you or other Christians you know tempted to trust in? What helps you to avoid rank ordering other Christians from “excellent” to “not so good”?
• Paul wrote that Peter “began to back out and separate himself, because he was afraid of the people who promoted circumcision.” Apparently Peter was willing to hurt Gentile believers in order to avoid incurring censure himself from some of the critical believers from Jerusalem. When have you faced disapproval from some Christians because of your desire to include other Christians in your circle of fellowship and support? Did you have more courage than Peter, or not? Would you today?