Church conflicts are ugly & painful; yet they happen. Scripture eschews a utopian ideal; it realistically reports conflict, even among church leaders—e.g., Paul, Peter, & James. We can learn from their actions & reactions. The church’s emergence from Judaism produced tensions–some soon resolved, others not. The ‘Antioch incident’ was no ‘tempest in a teapot;’ it was a major watershed. Both major players had divine revelations. Paul testified, “I did not disobey the heavenly vision.” Peter couldn’t say that. When James’ delegation arrived, insisting Jewish believers segregate from Gentile “sinners” at fellowship meals, Peter retreated, splitting the church between Jews & Gentiles. Paul reacted, rebuking Peter to his face. This was no power play. Paul saw that this violated the gospel truth–all believers justified by faith, are equal members in God’s family. Paul’s rearguard action, despite the other leaders’ defection, prevented Christianity from being reabsorbed back  into Judaism. The other leaders’ intransigence left Paul isolated, yet Church history vindicates Paul. In the church old distinctions along ethnic/racial lines can’t coexist with faith in Christ—new creation’s sole distinctive. At Antioch Paul was a ‘midwife’ birthing the church out of Judaism.