But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. (Galatians 2:11-13)
Not all tables are welcoming. This incident in the life of the early church shows how a table can be exclusive or even be shunning to some in an act of judgment. It also shows how quickly our human tendency towards legalism can make ugly what grace has made beautiful.
When Peter first came to Antioch, he ate freely at the table with the Gentiles. He had learned his lesson from a vision he had at the home of Cornelius, a Gentile believer, how God had declared an open welcome to all believers, Jew and Gentile alike.
But when friends of James showed up, who felt differently about the Gentiles, Peter suddenly avoided joining the Gentile believers at the table, fearing criticism from the friends of James because of their belief that Gentile believers must be circumcised like the Jews.
Isn’t it telling how one person’s limiting beliefs can put others in bondage? It shows up a weakness in Peter whose faith in the freedoms grace brings was not strong enough to overcome the legalistic power of the James group.
So what happened to the table? It became a place for only the Gentiles. And what happened to the unity of believers? It drove a wedge between them. Not only that, it fostered a sense of superiority of the Jews over the Gentiles. It’s telling how a table without love quickly becomes a table of judgment.
This is why Paul speaks so harshly in the rest of the book of Galatians against the evils of legalism. “How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” (Galatians 3:3)
These early believers were adding things to the gospel. In Paul’s day it was circumcision that was the issue. What are the issues today? What have we added to the gospel? Today, our issues have mostly to do with exclusion—people who are not welcome at the table. I’m sure you can make your own list. It’s a travesty and an insult to God’s grace. Even Peter was caught up in it so that he changed his behavior when the legalists showed up. What kind of people was Jesus eating with at Matthew’s table? Did they have to square their beliefs at the door?
This is why we are happy to provide you with an open table—the gospel of welcome—grace turned outward—where there is room for everyone, no questions asked. There are no requirements at this table only that you show up.
“You mean those people are welcome here?”
Yes, absolutely.
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About MemberPartners
There comes a point where interest is no longer enough.
Where listening becomes responsibility.
Where proximity becomes invitation.
That’s what becoming a MemberPartner is.
It’s not just support.
It’s alignment.
It’s saying:
I’m not just near this—I’m part of it.
It’s joining a group of people committed to staying engaged, growing deeper, and helping carry this work forward.
People shaped by a shared pursuit of Jesus and His truth.
