3471 A Spat of Apostles in the Epistles

This morning I was supposed to go to a women's Bible study (Beth Moore), but at the coffee shop I got started on writing a poem, was interrupted by the guy who is learning Russian and talks non-stop, so after rushing home to eat some breakfast, I just stayed and finished the poem and the blog that goes with it.

When Paul told Peter to live by faith, not the law (Galatians 2)

Concerning the Jews in Jerusalem
Peter and Paul had a big spat
"You’re putting them under the law, old friend."
Paul told Peter, "Don't preach like that."

Not for a minute did Saint Paul give in,
Even when they were face to face.
At Antioch Paul then told Saint Peter
"Your gospel is such a disgrace."

"We know by law we are not justified
Although by birth we are both Jews,
Our faith is in Christ Jesus, Risen Lord
From whom we have heard the Good News."

For you non-Christians, the back story to this poem is that in following Jesus command to "Go, tell," Paul was to preach to Gentiles and Peter to Jews. Paul was very unhappy that Peter was living in freedom, but requiring his converts to be circumcised and to obey dietary law. Sigh. It is still going on. There's just something about the Gospel that seems too easy, so people, even pastors, try to add a little here, a little there. In 2,000 years we still haven't learned.