Compromise Is Contagious - Pastor Stacey Shiflett
- Pastor Shiflett
- 2 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Compromise Is Contagious
Galatians 2:13 “And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.”
Intro: This story has always fascinated me. I preached from this passage the first year I was in the ministry. I titled the message “The Dangers of a Double-Standard.”
I referenced this story in a message a few months back, “The Compromise Crisis.”
I’ve not been able to stop thinking about it, and the more I have read it and studied, the more mystified I have become.
I. The Inconsistent Character
· 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself,
Paul spent the first 10 verses explaining his and Barnabas’ ministry, and the ministry of James, Peter and John.
Paul was clear that God had called him to go to the Gentiles, and Peter to go to the Jews.
· 7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
· 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
· 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Beware of anybody, especially a preacher in a leadership position, that suddenly CHANGES.
· There is a change in their Conduct – he’s not doing the same; acting the same;
· There is a change in their Crowds – when a person changes crowds, something is wrong.
· There is a change in their Convictions – things they used to believe, they don’t believe anymore
· There is a change in their Courage – where is the boldness we find in Peter in Acts?
The Peter we find in these verses was uncharacteristic and inconsistent in his character.
II. The Intimidating Crowd
· 12 …fearing them which were of the circumcision.”
What was Peter afraid of?
It could have been he was:
A. Insecure in his Principles
Was he secretly unsure of whether it was right or wrong to eat with Gentiles?
Was he secretly unsure if Gentile believers were supposed to be circumcised?
B. Impotent in his Position
As a “pillar” of the church in Jerusalem, why was he not setting the tone?
Why was he not demonstrating biblical beliefs?
Why was he not establishing the Christian code of conduct?
I never cease to be appalled at leaders that will not lead!
If you are a leader, LEAD!! Lead or get out of the way!
The Bible tells us without question he was:
C. Intimidated by his Peers
12 …fearing them which were of the circumcision.”
I cannot understand this to save my life.
Who was he afraid of?
Verse 12 – “…certain came from James…”
Why was he so intimidated by James?
Were they not equals according to verse 9?
What was fearful that they would say? Or do?
Why would he compromise his convictions just because some friends of his walked up?
What was he fearful that they would go back and tell James?
III. The Influential Compromise
I want to be perfectly clear what I believe about Peter’s behavior: he compromised.
He did not openly compromise of doctrine, but it was a compromise of conduct that undermined doctrine.
He did not deny the Gospel with his lips, but he denied it with his life.
Anytime your behavior contradicts what you say you believe, you are living in compromise.
Furthermore, anytime somebody with leadership abilities compromises, THEY ALWAYS TAKE OTHERS WITH THEM.
They never go alone.
They start a migration of compromise.
Peter was a leader.
His name was mentioned first in every case where the disciples were listed.
It was Peter that said, “I go a fishing” and they said, “We also go with thee…” (John 21:3)
A. Peter’s actions influenced other PEOPLE
· 13 …the other Jews dissembled likewise with him…”
Dissembled - to act hypocritically, to pretend, to put on a false front
Mark this down: Compromise Is Contagious
We don’t know specifically who these other Jews were.
Presumably it was those from Jerusalem; that came from James (vs. 12)
If so, then Peter was influencing other believers from his own church!
B. Peter’s actions influenced other PREACHERS
· 13 …insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.”
Key phrase: “carried away with their dissimulation”
Dissimulation - The act of dissembling; a hiding under a false appearance; a feigning; false pretension; hypocrisy. dissimulation may be simply concealment of the opinions, sentiments or purpose; but it includes also the assuming of a false or counterfeit appearance which conceals the real opinions or purpose.
Carried away - influenced, swept along, led astray
Barnabas was not offended by the dissimulation; he was caught up in it and participated in it.
He got swept up in their unbiblical behavior.
Barnabas did not stand against the hypocrisy.
He was influenced by Peter and the others and joined in the same behavior.
HOW IN THE WORLD was Peter’s compromise able to influence Barnabas of all people?
Barnabas was not a new convert.
Barnabas had spent his early ministry discipling converts at Antioch.
He had traveled with Paul all over Asia Minor on missionary trips.
This goes to show that Compromise Is Contagious.
You’re never too old, too strong, too spiritual or too grounded not to be influenced by compromise!
IV. The Intervening Confrontation
· 11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
· 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all,
I can almost hear Paul now:
Peter! What are you doing??
QUESTION: Did Paul have the right to withstand Peter to his face?
Take into consideration:
· Peter had been saved longer.
· Peter had been in the ministry longer.
· Peter had walked with Jesus for 3 ½ years.
· Peter had walked on water.
· Peter preached at Pentecost and 3,000 souls were saved.
· Peter was personally delivered from prison by an angel.
· Peter’s shadow could heal people sitting on the side of the road.
· Peter was a pillar of the church of Jerusalem
Why did Paul confront Peter?
Because Peter, in his compromise had:
A. Peter Misrepresented the Gospel – vs. 14 “…according to the truth of the Gospel…”
This was the biggest problem with this whole compromise.
Peter shed a bad light on the power of the Gospel, and of salvation by grace.
His actions gave legitimacy to the false doctrine that people needed to follow the law to be saved. (vs.16)
B. Peter Misrepresented himself – vs. 14 “If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of the Gentiles…”
I can almost hear Paul asking him:
· “Why would you be ashamed of fellowshipping with Gentiles?”
· “You literally just gave me the right hand of fellowship to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles!”
· “Have he forgotten what God did in the house of Cornelius?”
What does “livest after the manner of Gentiles” mean?
It does not mean sinful living.
It means living free from Jewish ceremonial law.
Peter had already been:
Eating with Gentiles (v.12)
Fellowshipping without distinction between Jew and Gentile
In other words, Peter had already been living this truth:
· Acts 10:28 “…God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”
· Acts 11:3 “Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.”
C. Peter Mistreated God’s people – he mistreated the Gentile believers at Antioch
Peter knew better. He had already crossed that line by conviction.
Now he here he was; compromising his convictions by going back on them publicly.
His hypocrisy was: Demeaning, Disrespectful, Demoralizing and Disgraceful
D. Peter Misled God’s people – vs. 14 “But when I saw that THEY (plural) walked not uprightly…”
Paul had to confront Peter because he was leading a whole group of good people astray.
