In my study, “Why Do Good Men Disagree?” (Bible Brief - January, 2007),
I investigated a conflict that all too often occurs between equally
good men, even as with the Apostles Paul and Peter. In that clash, Paul
accused Peter of cowardice, hypocrisy and being disobedient to the “truth of the gospel”
(Gal. 2:1-21). This was a serious quarrel! On another occasion, a
heated conflict broke out between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark “who departed from them and went not with them to the work” of the gospel (Acts 15:37-39).
Here we have a sad and troubling report of the Apostle Paul and the
Apostle Peter in conflict! I am sure that some will find this shocking
and disturbing. It seems unthinkable that two of the great heroes of
the faith - “Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ” – would engage in a heated controversy and
division! And yet, it happened and it still happens today, even among
good Christian men and ministries.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13) (Read by Max McLean. Provided by The Listener's Audio Bible.)
(Read by Max McLean. Provided by The Listener's Audio Bible.)
