No one stirred. Peter whispered, “Paul, please, I beseech you—”
“Not one Gentile. For shame! Where are they?”
“They have their own gathering not far away,” Peter said, having to clear his throat.
“Send for them.”
“No doubt they are already—”
“Now!” Paul shouted, and Peter fell silent, signaling some to summon the Gentiles.
“Perhaps you would like to pray so these can begin,” Peter whispered.
“No, we shall wait. You shall remain seated, and I shall remain standing, and when the entire body of believers is here, then we will carry on with our customary mealtime activities.”
For several minutes it seemed to Mark that no one knew where to look. Certainly no one dared catch Paul’s angry gaze. He appeared ready to wait until nightfall if it took that long to bring together the entire congregation. Meanwhile Barnabas marshaled help to arrange a few hundred more places.
But when the Gentiles arrived, cautiously making their way inside, Paul insisted that everyone spread out and “welcome our brethren among us, with us, next to us.”
At that Peter rose and began to leave, Barnabas with him, followed by some of the other elders and many Jews from the congregation.
“Stop!” Paul shouted, and they all halted and turned to face him. “Peter, you are to be blamed! I must usurp your authority as father of this church to remind you that before certain men came claiming to be of James, you would eat with the Gentiles. But when these men came, you withdrew and began separating yourself, fearing the disapproval of those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews here also played the hypocrite with you, so that even Barnabas has been carried away with your two-facedness.
“It pains me to confront you like this, my brother, but you have failed to remain straightforward about the truth of the gospel. Think, man! If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
“But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed—all the rules and regulations that cannot contribute to salvation—I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
Any eyes not focused on Paul or on the floor were upon Peter. Mark—though he could not have agreed more with Paul and wished he could be so eloquent and passionate and persuasive—actually felt sorry for his old friend. Peter stood ashen-faced and trembling, as if he wished the earth might swallow him.
“Repent of this hypocrisy and sacrilege, my brother!” Paul called out.
“I repent!” Peter cried, falling to his knees. “When I am wrong, I am wrong, and I know better! God, forgive me. My brethren, Gentile and Jew, forgive me.”
Paul rushed to him, embracing him, kissing him on both cheeks, and helping him stand. He led Peter back to his place next to him and turned to the assemblage again. “There will be no more discussion, no more debate about this. If there are any among you who still hold to the view that the Jew and the Gentile are not equal brothers in Christ, now is the time to separate yourselves from us. And you who came claiming to be of James and began spreading this treachery, confess and repent of it now, or go your way.”
Several rushed from the church while Barnabas, flushed and also appearing humiliated, quickly returned to his seat.
“Any more?” Paul said, pausing. “No one? Then I will assume that we are one in Christ, united in common purpose, and that we love and serve the gospel of salvation, free to all who believe and call upon His name.”
Paul then led in prayer and a hymn as the food was served, and Mark decided he had never more enjoyed a meal.
TWENTY-THREE
Within an hour of the sumptuous meal, the Antiochan church was reassembled for a service of worship and preaching by the apostle Paul. Word had spread quickly of his public chastisement of Peter, so the place was soon overflowing with people, many of whom had left over the controversy.
Mark was deeply impressed that when Paul gathered the meeting leaders before advancing to the platform, he insisted that Peter join them. Paul asked him to lead in prayer, and Peter said, “I am not worthy.”
“None of us is worthy, beloved friend,” Paul said, wrapping his arm around the bigger man. “But hear me. You have acknowledged you were wrong, and you have repented. To now wallow in your sin is to deny the forgiving power of the risen Christ you serve. The sobriety of your regret is understandable and likely to be profitable, but do not let it distract you from your service. I would that you pray for us who will lead this meeting, and for me that I speak the very message of God. And then I beseech you to lead the entire assembly in prayer as we begin as well. Would you do that?”
Peter tearfully nodded.
Mark was warmed by the singing, moved by Peter’s humble prayer, and emboldened by Paul’s dynamic preaching. Never one to tiptoe around issues, Paul spoke on the very topic that had divided the church. “I am a bondservant of Jesus Christ,” he began, “called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
“Through Him we have received grace and apostleship to call for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ, beloved of God, called to be saints. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, for as God is my witness—whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son—without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.
“I consider you part of my flock, just as I do all other believers, Jews and Gentiles. I have been obligated by God to preach the gospel of Christ to both Jew and Gentile, educated and unschooled, Greek and barbarian, wise and unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel anywhere at any time.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes—even His eternal power and Godhead—are made clear by the things that are made, so that men and women are without excuse. Although they saw enough to know God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
“Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
Where, Mark wond
ered, does a man learn to think and speak like this? He knew Paul had been a brilliant student and a schoolmate of Barnabas’s under Gamaliel, but that now he was using his intellect for, rather than against, Christ.
Paul continued, “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. And even as they do not like to think about God, God has given them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; they are filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; filled with envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing full well they risk the righteous judgment of God, because those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
“God ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, on every soul of man who does evil; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good. For there is no partiality with God.”
Mark could tell that the entire congregation was as stirred and encouraged by Paul’s logic and eloquence as he was. This was what these wounded people needed. Paul, speaking as a man born and raised and educated a Jew, was addressing primarily Gentiles, and as he continued, he proved he was sensitive to the issue at the forefront of all their minds.
“What advantage then have we, the Jews? Much in every way! Chiefly because to us was committed the word of God. But what if some do not believe what is taught and prophesied therein? Will their unbelief render the faithfulness of God ineffective? Certainly not! Indeed, if every man said God’s Word was untrue, it would make them all liars and God true. As it is written: ‘That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You are judged.’
“For we have previously charged both Jews and Gentiles that they are all under sin. As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.’ ‘Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit’; ‘the poison of asps is under their lips’; ‘whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.’ ‘Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known.’ ‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.’
“By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for the law provides only the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness.
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify both the circumcised and the uncircumcised through faith.
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. It is barely conceivable that someone would die for a righteous man, let alone a good man. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
“Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were His enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
“Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Paul moved out from behind the lectern and looked lovingly upon the huge gathering. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
“Reckon yourselves dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey its lusts. And do not use your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you; you are not under law but under grace.
“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves to obey, you are that one’s slave? Will you be a slave to that which leads to sin and death, or to obedience leading to righteousness? For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
“Now don’t get the idea that I put myself above you. The law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. Often I do not understand why I do the things I do. For what I will and want to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but rather the sin that dwells in me.
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not know. I find then that evil is present with me, despite that I am one who wills to do good. For inwardly I delight in the law of God. But I see another law in my flesh, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my flesh.”
Here Paul stretched his arms wide, as if pleading with his hearers to understand. “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
“Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not Christ’s. And if Christ is in you, your body may be dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
“You need no longer doubt and wonder, for the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, that we may also be glorified together.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Stepping back behind the lectern, Paul held up his hands and sighed. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who dares bring a charge against ones God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then could possibly condemn? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”
Paul’s voice dropped to just above a whisper, but Mark was certain no one had trouble hearing him. No one stirred.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? In all these things we are more than con
querors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
“And so now, brethren, it is time for this body of believers to be reconciled to one another and healed in the Spirit of Christ. If you have had ought with your brother or sister, Jew or Gentile, now is the time to seek forgiveness and restoration.”
Without further word from Paul, people stood all over the room and rushed to one another, embracing, weeping, confessing, forgiving, and praying together. To Mark is seemed as miraculous a turn of events as the very signs and wonders of Jesus Peter had recounted.
Paul and Mark moved through the crowd with others of the elders, helping, counseling, praying as needed. And when the throng finally began to part, Paul sought out Mark and thanked him. “I will be asking Peter to establish a leader here and to then accompany me to Rome, where gatherings of believing Gentiles are multiplying. There is great need there, so I will ask that he take over, as my travels take me elsewhere frequently. When you return from your mission to Jerusalem, please join him to aid in the work.”
“I am honored to be asked, sir,” Mark said, “and will come in haste at my first opportunity.”
SADLY, the Jerusalem visit took much less time than Mark had hoped. He took along a party of mostly young people, who made short work of the trip by quickly distributing foodstuffs, clothing, and money to the needy of Judea. While Mark had hoped to spend a couple of weeks with his mother, she died the morning after he arrived, and he stayed long enough only to see to her burial and the disposition of the estate.
He sent his aides directly back to Antioch when he left for Rome. On the journey he mulled precious memories of his godly mother and thanked the Lord for the privilege of having seen her one last time. It had allowed him to express his love and thanks for her having served for so long as both mother and father to him. And it allowed her the chance to tell him how pleased she was with his choice to give his life in service to God.
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