Bible Points

Recently I was reading from Galatians chapter two about Paul’s confronting Peter (Cephas) about his hypocrisy. I thought of the reason I was given for a group that split away from our church back in 2007 to begin their own church. I met with a brother to discuss this and he cited Acts 15:39 as a similar setting that provoked a separation for ministry direction of two parties of people.

This morning my reading from Galatians reminded me of that when Paul confronted Peter for violating Scripture with his hypocritical turning away from the Gentiles when Jewish leaders come to town. The Jewish leaders (Judaizers) were those who thought that in order to become a Christian one must believe in Jesus Christ AND be circumcised (as well as keep or observe other aspects of Judaism). Paul cites revelation from God in Galatians 2:16 that Peter was familiar with—that “a man is justified by faith in Jesus Christ and not by the works of the Law.”

In the case where we experienced a church split, there were accusations made against me but not from Scripture—no doctrinal issues were presented—only personality complaints. No meetings, only gossip. No opening of the Scriptures, no praying together for God’s direction. No obedience to Matthew 18:15-17. No mediation from other church leaders.

Maybe one day I’ll write a book on what NOT to do when leaving a church.