Acts 10 - Paul Having More Authority Than Peter

Galatians 2 7:14 - . [7] But contrariwise, when they had seen that to me was committed the gospel of the uncircumcision, as to Peter was that of the circumcision. [8] (For he who wrought in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, wrought in me also among the Gentiles.) [9] And when they had known the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship: that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision: [10] Only that we should be mindful of the poor: which same thing also I was careful to do. [11] But when Cephas was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.[12] For before that some came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them who were of the circumcision. [13] And to his dissimulation the rest of the Jews consented, so that Barnabas also was led by them into that dissimulation. [14] But when I saw that they walked not uprightly unto the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all: If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of the Gentiles, and not as the Jews do, how dost thou compel the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 

Protestant Christian Understanding: Paul stood up to Peter and overruled him, rebuking him for being hypocritical. Thus Peter did not hold any more authority over Paul as Paul did over Peter.  It is clear Peter had to listen to Paul and had no authority over him.

Catholic Christian Understanding: First, as a reference to our previous questions about Peter's name being "rock" and showing consistency adding more proof to that point, it has to be noticed that Paul again uses the word "Cephas" or "Rock" to refer to Peter, not Petras. This is yet another proof that Christ intended to call Peter "the rock" and not a pebble.  The Apostles are also calling Peter what Christ named him as the Rock.  Why would Paul be calling Peter Cephas if it is not his name?

Acts 10 

It is true that Paul rebuked Peter here, but that is irrelevant to Peter's ultimate authority. Catholics do not teach that leaders cannot be justly rebuked by their subjects.  It happens all the time, even in today's Church, which is why Catholics hold Vatican Councils to make the best decisions and get input from all the Church leaders before the Pope makes the ultimate decision.  

A good example is St. Catherine of Sienna of the 1300's, who rebuked the Pope, as a nun, telling Pope Saint Gregory XI to leave Avignon and get back to Rome and do his job where he is needed.  She was right, and he listened to her, but that did not give her more power over him or make her equal to his duties.  

Catholics believe in Papal INFALLIBILITY on faith and morals, not in Papal IMPECCABILITY.  In this particular instance or passage, the problem with Peter was not his doctrine, preaching, or authority he held, rather the problem was his not practicing what he preached.  It is very important to read further on in this verse where Paul says  "we agree Peter on the teaching on what we preach, but you are setting a bad example."  This was true and Paul had every right to rebuke Peter's actions.  However, like St. Catherine of Sienna, that did not give Paul more authority or show that Paul had equal authority to Peter as head of the Church.  That is reading into the passage and pulling a meaning that is simply not there.