Error.

The church at Galatia had a problem. Its people put arrogance ahead of grace and made a huge error. They decided their old ways, more specifically their former religious practices, made them superior to the rest of the world.

They moved themselves from freedom in Christ to the bondage of opinion. In doing so, they demeaned the entire ministry of Jesus Christ and put the future of Christianity in danger.

Spiritual leaders like Peter and Barnabas were not immune to the desperate panic of the Galatians. They, too, fell under the spell of believing that grace did not cover all sins. This error made them deny that salvation was available to ALL people regardless of differing opinions.

The Galatians behaved as if everyone else had to follow their religious laws in order to be fully saved. While hypocrisy seems to be a word we throw around a lot lately, Peter and Barnabas knew better. Therefore, they were the very definition of the word.

What happened? Instead of me telling you, read for yourself (Galatians 2:11-14).

When Christians get it wrong, faith is diminished for everyone.

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