Acts 11:2

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him.

They that were of the circumcision ... included practically all of the entire discipleship in Jerusalem, and not merely "the circumcision party" which later developed. Peter's views before the conversion of Cornelius were those of practically the whole church at that time. Furthermore, as Benson noted, "Even afterward, on one occasion, Peter withdrew himself from the believing Gentiles, for fear of the Jews (Galatians 2:12).[2]

Contended with him ... Alexander Campbell translated this place, "Disputed with him," declaring that this "is more appropriate in questions of debate, and especially in such a category."[3] Goodspeed's translation is, "The advocates of circumcision took him to task with having visited and eaten with men who were not Jews."[4] As so many have not failed to point out, "Peter was not regarded as any kind of `pope' or overlord."[5] "It is evident that the Jewish Christians had no idea of the supremacy of Peter, much less his infallibility."[6]

The complaint against Peter does not seem to have been that he had baptized a Gentile, but that he had baptized a Gentile without first requiring him to submit to circumcision and come under the law of Moses.

[2] Joseph Benson, One Volume New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1972), in loco.

[3] Alexander Campbell, Acts of Apostles (Austin, Texas: Firm Foundation Publishing House), p. 76. .

[4] Edgar J. Goodspeed, The New Testament, An American Translation (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1923), p. 250.

[5] H. Leo Boles, op. cit., p. 176.

[6] Joseph Benson, op. cit., in loco.