Paul's Reproof of Peter

I have never seen anything in the Bible that would limit a ministry of biblical reproof so that influential pastors are not subject to it. And I have never seen anything in the Bible that requires that a preacher give reproof only in a private context. The prophets of old reproved even godly kings for their spiritual compromise. “Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish” (2 Chronicles 20:37). Paul publicly reproved Peter for his hypocrisy (Galatians 2:14). If Peter’s friends had been like some independent Baptists, they would have lashed out at Paul for his audacity at reproving the man of God, and especially for reproving him before others. “Why didn’t Paul talk with Peter privately instead of making a public issue of it?” they would ask. “Was he jealous of Peter? Yes, that must be it. Who is Paul compared to Peter? When Paul wins 3,000 to the Lord through one sermon and pastors a church of thousands, then he might be qualified to reprove the great man, but not before. Why, when Paul preached on Mars Hill, only a handful of people responded, probably because he made too much of repentance! And unlike Peter, Paul didn’t walk with Christ through His earthly sojourn and see the miracles firsthand and hear the Master’s teaching with his own ears. Who does he think he is to reprove Peter for hypocrisy? Does he think he is the epitome of Christian perfection? That must be it. He is probably puffed up with pride and besotted with jealousy. Further, Paul is nit-picking. Peter’s little “hypocrisy” is no big deal. Paul needs to stand back and look at the bigger picture of Peter’s fruitful ministry. Why doesn’t Paul aim his guns at real errors instead of shooting the wounded? Doesn’t he realize that it is wrong to be divisive? Further, Paul isn’t even a member of the Jerusalem church, so he needs to mind his own business and respect the autonomy of the church. If he wants to reprove someone, let him reprove the Judaizers and the Gnostics and leave the man of God alone.” This is the thinking of many independent Baptists, but it not scriptural. No preacher is above being tested by God’s Word. Any preacher is liable to compromise and error. And if his compromise and error is public and has a public influence, the reproof should be public. While no man enjoys reproof, a godly man knows that reproof is necessary. “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish” (Proverbs 12:1). I’m not talking about a carnal, critical, nit-picking spirit. I’m not talking about cheap gossip. I’m not talking about criticism based on personal opinion. I’m talking about a godly critique issued with spiritual wisdom and based solidly upon the Scripture rightly divided by men who love Christ and have His glory in view.

(Friday Church News Notes, October 16, 2015, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)

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