In his letter to the Galatians, Paul the pharisee claimed that the Apostle Peter was behaving hypocritically, & that Paul was forced to publicly scold him about this. Here is Paul’s version...

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Gal 2:11-14   

…But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew & separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision… But 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, & not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?”

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In his letter to the Galatians, Paul accused Peter of eating with gentiles in Antioch following the Jerusalem Council of Acts15, then subsequently withdrawing from them because he “feared them of the circumcision.” However, this is another demonstrably false claim! 

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In the text of Acts 15:7-9, the events of Acts 10 & 11 were acknowledged as having already taken place. Peter had already established with “those of the circumcision” in Jerusalem that gentiles had been given the Ruach Elohim, that there is nothing wrong with eating with gentiles, & that they were not to be considered unclean all the way back in Acts chapter 11. 

 

Following Peter’s conversion of Cornelius in Acts 10, Peter was accused of eating with uncircumcised men in Acts 11:1-18. In Acts 11:1-18, Peter openly & frankly described to “those of the circumcision” in Jerusalem how Cornelius & his family had received the Ruach Elohim as he spoke with them. Then “those of the circumcision” in Jerusalem praised Elohim, & acknowledged that Elohim had granted to gentiles “repentance unto life.” Hence Paul’s claim in Galatians 2:11-14 of Peter’s allegedly eating with, then withdrawing from gentiles for “fear of those sent from James” following the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 is completely false! 

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Peter was one of the foremost of YAHUSHA’s Apostles. He had no reason to “fear” anyone in the Jerusalem Congregation! Peter had already openly shown the Jerusalem congregation in Acts 11:1-18 that gentiles had been granted the Ruach Elohim, there is nothing wrong with eating with gentiles, & they were not to be considered unclean!

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Furthermore, Peter was one of the Apostles on the Jerusalem Council who decided to send Judas & Silas back to Antioch with Paul & Barnabas. They carried the letter (containing the instructions to refrain from sexual immorality, things strangled, blood, & idolatry) back to the congregation in Antioch. According to Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council sent Judas & Silas back to Antioch with Paul & Barnabas. There is no mention of Peter leaving before them to get to Antioch before them because Peter was not in Antioch at that time! Paul’s accusations against Peter of Gal 2:11-14 are completely false no matter how you look at them!

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When Paul accused Peter of living as a gentile, he was basically accusing Peter of living without observation or regard for the Torah! According to Paul’s version of things, Peter was behaving hypocritically. According to Paul, he saved the day by openly scolding the Apostle Peter in front of everyone! Is this version of events corroborated or confirmed in Acts 15?

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Acts 15:22-34    

Then pleased it the apostles & elders… to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul & Barnabus; namely Judas surnamed Barsabas & Silas, chief men among the brethren. And they wrote letters by them after this manner…It seemed good unto us being assembled with one accord to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas & Paul, men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Master YAHUSHA HaMashiach. We have sent therefore Judas & Silas who shall also tell you the same things by mouth… So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: & when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: which when they had read, they rejoiced… & Judas & Silas being prophets also themselves exhorted the brethren with many words & confirmed them. And after they had tarried there for a space they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the Apostles. Notwithstanding, it pleased Silas to abide there still….

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According to Acts 15, Peter didn’t even go to Antioch. Peter was in the “Jerusalem Council” that heard Paul & Barnabas regarding the question of new gentile believers & circumcision. The “Jerusalem Council” sent Judas & Silas from Jerusalem to Antioch with Paul & Barnabas. They carried the letter which gave in writing the decision of the council in response to the question of whether new gentile believers have to be circumcised to be saved. 

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In Gal 2:11-14, Paul claims that:

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1. Peter got to Antioch before Judas & Silas

2. Peter ate with gentiles before Judas & Silas got to Antioch, but withdrew from the Gentiles, “fearing them of the circumcision", i.e., Judas & Silas

3. Paul publicly scolded Peter to his face, implying that Peter was a Jew who was living like a Gentile…

 

From Acts 15:22-34, we see that:

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Judas, Silas, Barnabus, & Paul all left Jerusalem & were sent back to Antioch together with the letter (listing the four items for Gentiles to avoid)

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1. Acts 15 indicates that Peter was in Jerusalem as one of the Apostles present for the meeting of the “Jerusalem Council”.  Judas, Silas, Barnabas, & Paul were sent back to Antioch together after the Jerusalem Council issued its decision. It would have been practically impossible for Peter to arrive in Antioch before Judas & Silas; as Judas, Silas, Barnabas, & Paul all left Jerusalem together with no mention of Peter leaving Jerusalem for Antioch at all! There is simply nothing in Acts 15 to indicate that Peter went to Antioch following the conclusion of the Acts 15 Jerusalem Council. 

2. There was absolutely no reason for Apostle Peter to “fear” Judas & Silas. Apostle Peter was one of the Apostles in the Jerusalem Council that decided to send Judas & Silas back to Antioch with Barnabas & Paul. In Acts 11:1-18, the Apostle Peter is documented as already having established & openly shown “those of the circumcision” in Jerusalem that gentiles had been granted the Ruach Elohim or Holy Spirit, that there was nothing wrong in eating with them, & that they were not to be considered unclean anymore.  

3. Paul’s claims in Gal 2:11-14 could not possibly be true, as they completely contradict the account given in Acts 15:22-34. In addition, there is nothing in the New Testament Scriptures to corroborate Paul’s claims of Gal 2:11-14. Neither is there anything in the other New Testament Scriptures to indicate that Peter went to Antioch at that time as Paul claimed.

 

It is clear that Paul’s claims to the Galatians in Gal 2:11-14 are false. Why would pharisee Paul make false claims about the Apostle Peter to the Galatians? Did Paul the pharisee have anything to gain by maligning & discrediting the true Apostle Peter? 

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Paul had a lot to gain by concocting scenarios like Gal 2:11-14! Paul the pharisee, as the self proclaimed & illegitimate “apostle” to the gentiles, lacked the sole qualification necessary to be one of the 12 actual Apostles of our Saviour. By dishonestly discrediting & falsely claiming to have reprimanded the actual Apostle Peter, Paul falsely increases his perceived authority among gentile congregations reading his letters to this very day!

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Do you believe Paul’s version in Galatians 2:11-14 or do you believe the account recorded in Acts 15:22-34?  Is there a single passage anywhere in the New Testament that corroborates Paul’s false claims of Galatians 2:11-14? Remember Deuteronomy 19:15? Since Acts 15:22-34 shows that Paul’s claims of Gal 2:11-14 could not possibly be true, are these the LIEs Paul was referring to in Romans 3:7? Is Galatians 2:11-14 the dishonesty that Paul openly admitted to in 2 Co 12:16?

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Passages Referenced in Above Text

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Deuteronomy 19:15

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

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Acts 10

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

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On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

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While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

 

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

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Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

 

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

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Acts 11:1-18

And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

 

But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

 

And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

 

Romans 3:7

For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my LIE unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

 

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2 Corinthians 12:16

But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with GUILE.

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