When Peter, at a later date, visited Antioch, he won the confidence of many by his prudent conduct toward the 198 Gentile converts. For a time he acted in accordance with the light given from heaven. He so far overcame his natural prejudice as to sit at table with the Gentile converts. But when certain Jews who were zealous for the ceremonial law, came from Jerusalem, Peter injudiciously changed his deportment toward the converts from paganism. A number of the Jews "dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation." This revelation of weakness on the part of those who had been respected and loved as leaders, left a most painful impression on the minds of the Gentile believers. The church was threatened with division. But Paul, who saw the subverting influence of the wrong done to the church through the double part acted by Peter, openly rebuked him for thus disguising his true sentiments. In the presence of the church, Paul inquired of Peter, "If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?" Galatians 2:13, 14.

Da Peter på et senere tidspunkt besøgte Antiokia, vandt han tillid hos mange ved sin kloge optræden overfor de hedningekristne. En tid handlede han i overensstemmelse med det lys, han havde fået fra Himmelen. Han overvandt i den grad sine naturlige fordomme, at han sad til bords med hedningekristne. Men da der fra Jerusalem kom nogle jøder, der var fanatiske forkæmpere for ceremoniloven, forandrede Peter uklogt sin optræden overfor dem, der var omvendt fra hedenskabet. En del af jøderne "hyklede sammen med ham, så endog Barnabas blev draget med af deres hykleri." Gal. 2,13. Denne afsløring af svaghed hos dem, man havde agtet og æret som ledere, gjorde et meget pinligt indtryk på de hedningekristne. Kirken var truet af splittelse! Men Paulus, som så den nedbrydende virkning af den uret, der overgik menigheden ved Peters dobbeltspil, dadlede ham offentligt, fordi han på den måde skjulte sine sande følelser. I menighedens påhør spurgte Paulus Peter: "Når du, skønt jøde, lever på hedensk vis, hvor kan du da søge at tvinge hedningerne til at følge jødiske skikke?"