August 14, 2007
Head-On
by Lydia Rule, RTF Staff Writer
Here is the understatement of the century: people do not get along. In fact, confrontations between people can get downright nasty.
Did you know that the apostles Paul and Peter had a head-on confrontation? Really, they did! The apostles were human beings, and occasionally, they had discussions– loud discussions! Although there are many stories in the Bible about people disagreeing, I think Peter and Paul’s tiffs are the most interesting…
Fight #1
Setting: Paul notices that Peter will eat and fellowship with Gentiles (non-Jews) only when other Jews were not around (BTW, Peter did get over this problem… but only after God really started working on him! Read Acts chapter ten).
Galatians 2: 11-13
11But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
12For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
13And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Fight #2
Setting: Peter tells what he thinks of Paul’s writing… and he doesn’t spare any punches!
2 Peter 3:16
As also in all his (Paul’s) epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
So if we brought Peter and Paul into the 21st Century, I imagine their conversation would have gone something like this:
Peter: You know Paul, I was reading your newest book the other day and I have to tell you something about it.
Paul: What?
Peter: I’m sure you wrote it under conviction by God, but man, you are wordy! Why, you can string together more words in a sentence than there are threads in a fishing net! What’s the use of all that fancy writing if Christians to fall asleep while reading it?
Paul: Hold on a minute! You’re telling me how to write? I am a scholar! I have spent years completing my education, and you are telling me how to write? If we’re going to start picking at each other’s faults, how about that little racist problem you have with Gentiles?
Peter: Hey, I’m working on that!
Paul: Work faster!
Peter: You think that you’re so intelligent, don’t you?
Paul: Intelligent. That’s a rather complicated word. Can you spell that?
Peter: Watch it! I may be a plain fisherman, but who was it that Jesus chose to be one of his 12 disciples? Hmmm, let’s see… I believe that would be me!
Paul: I believe I’ll write about pride in my next letter to the churches… Thanks for the inspiration Peter!
Peter: Go ahead and write more complicated mumbo-jumbo that no one can understand! In the meantime, I’ll be praying for courage…
Paul: What for?
Peter: Because I’ll have to face the rest of eternity with you in heaven!
Even though it’s fun to imagine what these two apostles might have said to each other, they probably followed God’s guidelines on how to solve confrontations in church and applied those guidelines to their situation.
Matthew 18: 15-17
15Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
So step one for solving confrontations is simple:
1) Talk to them directly. Don’t talk behind their back or anything else that borders backbiting. Simply approach them and have a heart-to-heart conversation.
2) If the person doesn’t listen or isn’t willing to work things out, take another person along with you.
3) Let it go. If the person doesn’t respond to you, then know that you’ve done all you can do.
So the next time you collide head-on with another person, realize that even the
apostles had the same problem! Follow God’s guidelines for dealing with the situation and let Him repair the damaged relationship!
Bio: Lydia Rule has been published in several international magazines. She is currently working on her fifth novel.
Debbie says:
I thought the modern day fight between Paul and Peter was HYSTERICALLY FUNNY! Great job (like always!), Lydia.
Debbie