1) When sharing truth, what does clarity provide? What gets in the way of a message being focused?
2) What would be a reason that you would confront someone? How would you go about doing so?
3) Why did Jesus die? Was His death really necessary? Can’t we get right with God some other way?
One message – two groups of people. Both the Jews and the Gentiles needed to hear the same truth about Jesus. God had equipped Peter to go to the Jews and Paul to go to the Gentiles. The message was the same and was not open for different interpretations. The church was united and her message was clear.
Confrontation is low on most people’s to-do lists. We don’t enjoy confronting others and tend to avoid doing so at all costs. However, there are times when setting the record straight is needed. In this passage (2:11-14), Paul properly confronts Peter by doing so directly. Peter was wrong and the matter at hand was of utmost importance. This was no petty difference; the integrity of the gospel was at stake!
Paul brings his argument that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone to its climax in 2:21. If there is any other way to be made right before God then Jesus’ died for nothing. While others were still trying to add following the law to the work of the cross, Paul stood boldly and clearly on this truth.
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