Paul told the brethren in Galatia of the time when he came to Antioch and had to rebuke his fellow apostle Peter or Cephas (Galatians 2:11-14). The reason why Paul rebuked him was because of his hypocrisy. Peter knew that God accepted the Gentiles (Acts 10:34-35; 11:17-18). He also knew that God accepted them without them adopting certain aspects of the Law of Moses like circumcision (Acts 15:5-11). Yet when certain Jews arrived, he withdrew and refused to associate with his Gentile brethren.
Peter’s sin is usually what we emphasize in these verses, and rightly so. But Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, believed it was also good to single out Barnabas as one of the ones who went along with Peter. Paul said, “Even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy” (Galatians 2:13), indicating that Barnabas’ fault was significant. What lessons can we learn from Barnabas’ sin here in Antioch?
Barnabas knew better – It was here in Antioch that Barnabas had witnessed the grace of God and the Gentiles responding to the gospel (Acts 11:20-23). Later he debated this issue in Antioch and discussed it with the apostles and elders in Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-2, 12). He knew that God accepted the Gentiles without circumcision no matter what the “party of the circumcision” believed (Galatians 2:12).
Barnabas should not have been carried away – Before this, Luke recorded Barnabas’ willingness to stand against the majority and accept one that the other brethren would not. After his conversion, Saul returned to Jerusalem and “was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple” (Acts 9:26). Barnabas stood up for Saul before the church, rather than going along with them in fearing and rejecting this man (Acts 9:27). Barnabas should have done this on behalf of the Gentile Christians in Antioch.
Barnabas could have withstood Peter – Peter was an apostle (1 Peter 1:1), an elder (1 Peter 5:1), and a pillar in the church (Galatians 2:9). But even a leader in the church can be rebuked provided it is on the testimony of two or three witnesses (1 Timothy 5:19-20). Barnabas could have taken two or three of the Gentile brethren Peter had withdrawn from as witnesses against him and rebuked him as Paul did. But he did not.
So what can we learn from this?
- We need to know what the Bible says – When brethren start practicing something different, we should not throw out what we know. Truth does not change when men do.
- We need to do what is right regardless of what others are doing – Yes, it is nice to be accepted and to be part of the group. But it is better to be faithful to God and accepted by Him.
- Sin must be rebuked – If it is left alone, it will lead others to sin.
We can also keep in mind that Barnabas was a faithful follower of Christ, but he did make this mistake. No matter how strong we are (or think we are) as Christians, we must always be diligent and watchful so we do not fall into sin.
