Introduction
We sat down recently with Sylvanus to talk with Peter about his life and ministry.1
Interview
The Apostle Peter
Sylvanus: Tell us about yourself and how you began your ministry?
Peter: My brother and I, Andrew, grew up as fishermen in Bethsaida, on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. One day, the Lord (we didn’t know He was the Lord), was walking along the seashore and saw us. He said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” We obeyed; we dropped our nets and followed Him (Matthew 4.18-20).
Sylvanus: Why?
Peter: (smiling) It’s hard to explain. He spoke with authority, as if He was used to being obeyed. We were His first disciples. As we walked down the coast with Him we encountered James and John, sons of Zebedee, fishermen also. They were with their father in a boat a bit offshore, repairing their nets. The Lord called to them and they also joined us. We had heard John the Baptist was preaching the kingdom of God was near and that Jesus of Nazareth had taken up the same message (Matthew 3.1-2, 4.17). This was exciting. We longed for our nation to have its independence and hoped to restore the glories of David and Solomon. Could it really be after all the centuries that God was about to fulfill His promises? As we accompanied the Lord throughout Galilee, listened to his teaching in the synagogues, and witnessing His healing the sick, it seemed it might truly happen.
Sylvanus: Sounds exciting.
Peter: It was. Israel had not seen a prophet in 400 years–since Malachi. Jews from all over Israel–Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea, and from beyond the Jordan river began following us. We had tremendous crowds (Matthew 4.23-25) and hoped God was finally going to establish His kingdom on earth and deliver us from the Romans.
Sylvanus: Would you tell us about this kingdom?
Peter: Gladly. God’s earthly kingdom is one of the two great subjects of Jewish theology. He had promised that my people would become a kingdom of priests, a holy nation (Exodus 19.4-6) and preeminent among the nations of the world (Deuteronomy 28.1, 13). For us to realize this destiny required obedience, which is why John, and later Jesus, preached repentance. We had to repent before God could give us our kingdom. Throughout the prophets, we read about the glory of this kingdom. War will be no more. Animals will live in peace and no longer prey upon one another. Long life will be restored. Israel will become a channel of blessing to Gentiles. Best of all, the Lord Himself will rule as King of Israel and the whole world (Isaiah 2.2-4, 11.6-9; Zechariah 8.20-23, 14.9; Isaiah 11.1-5). The entire earth will once again become like the garden of Eden.
Sylvanus: This kingdom sounds wonderful.
Peter: Yes. Every Jew who loved God longed for it. But due to our disobedience, idolatry, unfaithfulness, failure to keep the commandments, God disciplined us. He subjected us to Gentile powers: Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes and Persians, Greeks, and finally, the Romans. We longed for our own country and freedom. Also, the Eleven and I were eager to occupy our positions the Lord had promised us. We were excited at the prospect of sitting on thrones and ruling the twelve tribes (Matthew 19.28). One doesn’t forget a promise like that. Because of this, we asked the Lord before He ascended if He would now establish His kingdom. He deferred in His answer (Acts 1.6-8) but our hearts were filled with thoughts and the hope that the kingdom would be established soon. For it to come, we knew we needed twelve apostles–someone to replace Judas. That was why our first order of business after He ascended was to choose a new apostle.
Sylvanus: Some have taught you were precipitous in choosing Matthias. You should have waited for Paul. What do you say to this?
Peter: (laughing) Well, we would have been waiting a long time for Paul to come around. He was not saved until several years later. Besides, Paul did not fit the selection criteria. A viable candidate had to be one who had been with the Lord from the time of John’s baptism to His resurrection and had witnessed His resurrection (Acts 1.21-22). Those who have taught Paul should have filled Judas’ place have misunderstood the kingdom program. We were apostles of Israel. The Lord commissioned Paul as the apostle of the Gentiles (Romans 11.13). His ministry was to Gentiles. Ours was to Israel. Paul would not have fit. God commissioned Paul to found and lead an entirely new program–the Church, the body of Christ. We had separate commissions from the Lord.
Sylvanus: So you did not minister to Gentiles?
Peter: No. None of the Twelve ever had a ministry to Gentiles. Why would you think we did?
Sylvanus: Well, did not the Lord say in the great commission, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28.20). Weren’t you to go to Gentiles?
Peter: Eventually, yes. But how could we go to Gentiles before our nation repented? The Lord instructed us to begin at Jerusalem and spread out from there (Luke 24.47; Acts 1.8). According to the prophetic program, most Gentile blessing would come through the Jews after the kingdom was established. The Abrahamic Covenant established that Gentile blessing would come through Israel. God had revealed no plan to bless Gentiles (Genesis 12.1-3) apart from Israel. Therefore, our priority was to evangelize Jews beginning in Jerusalem. On the day of Pentecost, I addressed Jews. The thought never crossed my mind to address Gentiles. To have done so would have conflicted with everything God had revealed through the prophets as well as what the Lord had taught in His earthly ministry. No, we had no thought of evangelizing Gentiles. In my second sermon, Acts 3.11-13, 17, 25, I also addressed Jews only. For us, the significance of the Lord’s resurrection was He was alive and could return to establish His kingdom (Acts 3.19-21). That was the importance of His resurrection for us.
Sylvanus: But Israel had to repent?
Peter: Yes, that was the condition. We have Dr. Luke’s record of my words at Pentecost: “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2.36-38).
Sylvanus: That seems pretty clear. So water baptism was necessary for salvation?
Peter: Yes. It had been since John’s ministry (Mark 1.4, 16.16).
Sylvanus: What about faith?
Peter: Faith has always been necessary for salvation. But the content of faith has changed over time in God’s programs. For example, Abraham believed God would make him a great nation (Genesis 15.5-6). He believed what God told him. That was how he was saved. Faith is believing what God has revealed at a particular time. To us, God revealed Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, the Son of God. That was what we believed for salvation (Matthew 16.16; John 1.47-51, 11.25-27). That was what we preached–that was our gospel. The focus of our gospel was on Jesus’ name, on His identity–believing who He was.
Sylvanus: What about His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins?
Peter: We knew nothing about that. We learned He died for our sins and rose in victory for our salvation later.
Sylvanus: Really? How did you learn this?
Peter: Why from Paul, of course. We knew nothing about the Lord’s death and resurrection paying for Jewish sins–much less for Gentile sins. That knowledge came through the Lord’s revelations to Paul.
Sylvanus: Well, a lot of confusion exists about this. Most teach you and Paul proclaimed the same message, preached the same gospel.
Peter: How would anyone get that idea? Nothing in the Scriptures supports that.
Sylvanus: So let me get this straight. You and the Eleven preached Jesus was the Messiah. For personal salvation, one had to repent, be baptized, and believe Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. Your hope was the Lord would establish His kingdom. For this to occur, the Jewish nation had to repent. If it had, Jesus would have returned to establish His kingdom.
Peter: That’s it. That’s Jewish theology. The only thing missing was that we were under the Law. We had to keep the Law for salvation.
Sylvanus: Well, now you’ve thrown a curve. I thought salvation was by faith alone.
Peter: Where did you learn that?
Sylvanus: From Paul.
Peter: (smiling) Exactly! From Paul. That gave us trouble.
Sylvanus: What do you mean?
Peter: Remember the Council of Jerusalem?
Sylvanus: Yes, Luke recorded it in Acts 15 and Paul wrote of it in Galatians 2.
Peter: That’s the one. As I mentioned earlier, we lived under the Mosaic Law. We had lived that way for 1,500 years. No one had told us not to live under the Law. We understood keeping the Law was necessary for salvation (Mark 10.17-22; Luke 10.25-28). But we heard Paul was teaching those saved under his gospel (mostly Gentiles) were not under the Mosaic Law and that it was unnecessary for salvation. That upset us, especially the Pharisee believers. As a result, representatives went to Paul’s converts to tell them they had to be circumcised and keep the Law to be saved (Acts 15.1, 5). Naturally, this upset Paul. He had taught them they were saved by faith alone–by believing his gospel (1 Corinthians 15.1-4). So the result was confusion.
Sylvanus: So what happened?
Peter: The Lord instructed Paul to go up to Jerusalem and resolve the issue (Acts 15.2; Galatians 2.1-2). What arguments! It was a Pharisee free-for-all! Paul, the premier Pharisee, versus our Pharisees. You should have been there! They went at it hammer and tongs.
Sylvanus: So, what was your role? And by the way, why weren’t you in charge? Why was James in charge?
Peter: My authority and my role declined as hope of Israel’s repentance was lost. By the time of the Council, in 51 A.D., I had lost much of my authority. James, the Lord’s half-brother, not one of the Twelve, had assumed my position. I had become number two. Paul recognized this and wrote about it to the Galatians (Galatians 2.6, 9).
Sylvanus: So what happened?
Peter: Paul was adamant but could not convince his opponents. I was largely silent, listening to the arguments. Finally, the Lord brought to my mind an incident that had happened many years before. Shortly after Paul had been saved, the Lord sent me to Cornelius, a Gentile. I had gone reluctantly. Remember, we were not evangelizing Gentiles. But God blessed the visit: Cornelius and his household were saved. Now the remarkable thing about their salvation was that they were saved apart from circumcision and keeping the Law (Acts 10.44-48). When I thought back on that experience, I understood God had given it to me for one primary purpose: so I could come to Paul’s defense years later. God is outside of time and knew the opposition Paul would face fourteen years later. The Holy Spirit brought it to my mind. I then knew Paul was right and that God wished me to speak on Paul’s behalf. I did. From that time forward, Jews and Gentiles had to be saved through Paul’s gospel (Acts 15.7-11; Galatians 1.6-9). The gospel of the kingdom, which focused upon repentance and believing in who Jesus was–believing in His name, ended that day.
Sylvanus: Wow! Not many understand this.
Peter: Perhaps not. But that is the explicit record of Luke and Paul.
Sylvanus: What was your relationship with Paul? Did you know him well?
St. Peter and St. Paul
Peter: Not really. As Saul of Tarsus, everyone was terrified of him. He had been at Stephen’s trial when the Sanhedrin stoned him. After this, he became furious to arrest all who believed Jesus was the Messiah. When the Lord appeared to him on his way to Damascus, that all changed. The Lord transformed me. But what He did with Paul was almost beyond comprehension. Truly, nothing is too difficult for the Lord. The Lord exchanged Paul’s zeal in persecuting us to evangelize and minister for Him. My contact with Paul was quite limited. I spent most of my time in Jerusalem while Paul went everywhere. A few years after he was saved, he visited me in Jerusalem for a couple weeks (Galatians 1.18-19). Then we were both at the Council, of course.
Sylvanus: I believe you had a confrontation with Paul after the Council at Jerusalem. Tell us about this?
Peter: (sighing, then smiling) Well, you would bring that up. Ok. I had gone down with other Jewish believers to Antioch. We were having wonderful fellowship with the believers there–mostly Gentiles. After a time, some Jews of the party of the circumcision came down from Jerusalem. I buckled. I am ashamed to say I stop eating with the Gentiles believers because of them. My fellow Jews behaved no better. Even Barnabas, who had accompanied Paul on his first journey, stopped eating with Gentiles.
Sylvanus: What happened?
Peter: Well, Paul, being Paul, would have none of it. He called us out. He was right and we were wrong. We were ashamed (Galatians 2.11-14). I had gone against the very thing I had stated at the Council. Paul reminded us that justification was by faith alone, not by works (Galatians 2.16).
Sylvanus: So did this harm your fellowship and friendship?
Peter: Well, it was humiliating. But Paul was right. It gave him no pleasure to confront us. But had he not, he would have been remiss in his duty. We got over it and were better for it.
Sylvanus: I think you ended with great love for Paul.
Peter: Indeed I did. Paul had written to the Jews (the book of Hebrews) to expound upon God’s plan for the Jewish people and to exhort them to trust in Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. I wrote my fellow Jews to listen to Paul even though much of what he wrote in his other letters was difficult to comprehend. By this time, I knew Paul’s letters were the Word of God on par with Moses, Isaiah, etc. (2 Peter 3.15-16).
Sylvanus: So what is your hope going forward?
Peter: My hope is for my people. My hope is the same as it was on the day of Pentecost. On that day, I proclaimed repentance with full hope that my people would recognize Jesus as the Messiah. They will. While nearly 2,000 years have passed, that hope is as alive as it was then. When they do, the Lord will return. We have His promise (Matthew 23.37-39). But first, as we know from Paul’s letters, the Church, the body of Christ, must be completed. When it is, the Lord will return for His body (the Day of Christ, the Rapture). After that occurs, God will initiate the Tribulation, the Day of the Lord. Israel will become center stage again. Those seven years will be the worst distress we have ever faced–and we have faced a lot. I had expected this time to come shortly after God had poured out His Holy Spirit (Acts 2.19-21). The prophets warned about the Day of the Lord. It, in addition to the kingdom of God, are the two great subjects of Jewish theology. As terrible as that time will be, it will end in joy. It will result in my people repenting so the Lord can return. He will establish His kingdom on the earth and fulfill all his covenant promises to us. What a time that will be! That time is near! לְחַיִּים To life!
1 This fictional interview serves as a vehicle to present Peter’s life and doctrines. Peter proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom to Jews, to the nation of Israel, in hope that they would repent and believe Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. His ministry was distinct from Paul’s. They had wholly different messages and ministries.
©2015 Don Samdahl. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold.
Don,
This is beautiful! A simple straight forward outline of God’s plan for mankind according to the bible correctly interpreted. This article is one I wish I had read about two years ago when my search for God’s plan really began.
I had thought I was part of Christianity for 40 years but discovered I had been part of Christendom instead. There is a big difference between the two and Satan is very good at hiding this truth. When a pastor in my local church said “we don’t believe in the rapture” during a sermon my interest was piqued. My Google search brought me to your site where I read “The Rapture” two or three times before starting in on all the other articles. Thank you!
Then I found Les Feldick. Fantastic lessons. Have listen to almost all of them.
I would recommend to others to read R. Dawson Barlow’s The Apostasy of the Christian Church. This gives God’s plan with great understanding. Search for the price of $20 on the web
Bob P.
Bob,
Thank you for your gracious words. I am glad the “interview” was helpful. It all comes together when we see the difference in God’s program for Israel and the program He revealed to Paul. Les is a great teacher. Thanks for the head’s up on Barlow. Grace and peace.
Very good and easy to read and understand. I began my search many years ago and I wish I could have had this easy to understand presentation form. What I began with was L.S. Chafer’s systematic theology seven or eight volume set with all the big words and run-on sentences.
I’ve always wondered about the meaning of the proposition relating to the fullness or completing of the Church. I wonder if it is a specific number? Are there a certain number of jobs in eternity that the Church will be responsible for? Remember the Lord calling in the fishermen and having breakfast ready with a very specific # of fish in the fishermen’s nets (153 I think). For some reason I want to believe that number has an important meaning but I guess I’ll have to wait unless Doctrine can fill me in.
Thank you.
G’Day Don
Another wonderful article. Thank you.
I am currently reading Barlows book Apostasy of the Christian Church.
It is a great read and reinforces the right dividing message.
You can get it on Smashwords as an eBook for $10.
God bless,
RonG
Ron,
Many thanks.
Just finished reading this new article Don, thank you so much!
Found it to be creatively and imaginatively written, revealing and inspiring as ever.
Grateful to you for all your research and putting so much time in to bless others.
Blessings,
Elaine
Elaine,
Thank you for your kind encouragement.
Hi Don,
Thanks for another excellent piece. I think I noticed a spelling mistake here “Because of this, we asked to Lord before He ascended if He would now establish His kingdom”
“we asked to” should be “we asked the” ?
Thank you
Mark,
Thank you!
Cool post. Very good.
Have you ever done a post on the “Kingdom of God” vs the “Kingdom of Heaven”? I know the Kingdom of God is spiritual during the Dispensation of Grace (Rom. 14:17, Col. 1:13) and that there will be a physical Kingdom of Heaven in the Millennium when Christ reigns in Jerusalem. I know some people say that the phrase “Kingdom of God” never refers to the physical kingdom that will be established on the earth, but to me it looks like it sometimes does. What is your position on the matter?
Thanks! –bro. Eli
Hoss,
Thank you. Sometimes the kingdom of heaven (unique to Matthew) and the kingdom of God are synonymous. The kingdom of heaven always refers to the earthly kingdom. When Paul used the phrase kingdom of God he meant the whole realm of God’s righteous rule, heaven, earth, Israel, the Church.
Don,
What a great article, last night we read it aloud and we were right there in the conversation with Peter and Sylvanus. Want to thank you again for all your work.
Larry
Larry,
Thank you. I’m glad you could enjoy the article together. Grace and peace.
This to me is an expository interview unlike anything I’ve read and will very likely refer it to others that they also may come into this liberating understanding of this Gospel revealed to the Apostle Paul. This is second to none Don! Truly The Lord God have bless you. And a blessing you are to The Body of Christ. To God alone be the Glory!
Abberdeen,
Thank you for your kind words. Amen to God be the glory!
Hello,
Thanks for all the articles!! Makes sooo much sense & Bible opens up.
What about Pentecost & Holy Spirit being poured out as initiation of the New Covenant for Israel i.e. Ez. 36:26-28 & others? (In regards to Peter)
Laurie
Laurie,
The advent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was the beginning of the fulfillment of the Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Joel passages of life in the kingdom. Had Israel accepted the Messiah this would have come into full flower. Since they refused, the fulfillment of prophecies has been delayed until Israel does repent.
Don,
I understand that Israel’s rejection of their Messiah after He rose from the dead was the reason that the Kingdom cometh to Earth was delayed (and the gentile body would be grafted in), but isn’t it safe to assume/know that Yahshua knew His children would reject him at his first coming? I think Mathew 22 (The parable of the Wedding Banquet) proves He knew this was going to be the case, and that He was going to open His Kingdom to all when Israel rejected Him as Messiah. Is that your understanding too?
Chad,
Yes, He knew. But the offer of the kingdom was legitimate. Had the Jews accepted Him, the Romans would have taken the lead in crucifying Him, the Tribulation would have occurred, and the Lord would have returned to establish the kingdom. This was the revealed, OT prophetic plan. The Church would not have come into existence since it was unrevealed in OT prophecy.
Hi bro Don, thanks for that last answer, i now have a question regarding when Peter said at the council that the jews were never able to bear the yoke of the law, what did he mean, there were ot saints that were blameless and that did the law and sacrifices. Also when Peter said we ( the jews– did this include Peter) will be saved as them( the gentiles), how could this be possible, how do you interpret what he said. Thanks bro Don, in advance.
George,
The Law was difficult! It had 613 commands (according to Maimonides). The Law was holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7.12) but impossible to keep due the weakness of the “flesh” (Romans 7.5). It was a hard taskmaster (unlike grace and the Holy Spirit). See my article, Paul and the Law. As to your next question, see my article, The Great Hinge. From the Council forward, the only valid gospel was Paul’s (Galatians 1.7-9). Everyone (Jew and Gentile) would have to be saved according to it (1 Corinthians 15.1-4). This marked the end of the gospel of the kingdom.
I wish Sylvanus also interviewed John.
René,
Thank you. I’ll give it some thought but right now I think it would be similar to the Peter conversation.
Pls wat did Jesus mean when He told his disciples ‘Dis is my blood of d new covenant for d remisson of sins of many’
Daniel,
The Scripture states, “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins” (Hebrews 9.22). Only the Lord Jesus Christ could solve the problem of man’s sin. His blood, His death and glorious resurrection conquered sin and death.
I min, he told his disciples abt his death 4 sins b4 his death nd afta he ressurected he stil sent dem d kingdom gospel
Daniel,
The Twelve did not understand any of this. They did not proclaim His death for sins and resurrection at Pentecost. Not until Paul was this gospel understood. That is why the Council of Jerusalem was so controversial. The gospel of the kingdom did not proclaim Christ’s death and resurrection for salvation.
Since Christ knew why he actually died, why did he still send them to preach the kingdom gospel after he ressurected?
Daniel,
In the gospel of the kingdom, Christ’s resurrection meant he could return and be King if the nation repented. This is what Peter proclaimed in his 2nd sermon (Acts 3). The expectation was the nation would repent.
Hi bro Don, if the body of Christ is destined for heaven and Israel destined for earthly glory , why does Peter tell his little flock this ? 1 Peter 1:4 KJV
[4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Will redeemed Israel in trib get a heavenly inheritance and
If so what is it according to you? Thanks
Flock this
George,
This is a repetition of Matthew 6.20. The inheritance is reserved in heaven but will be experienced on earth. The blessings of the kingdom are presently in heaven with the King.
Don,
Do you believe that the two letters of Peter were written to the Jews?
Becky,
1 Peter 1.1 states Peter wrote to Jews and 2 Peter 3.1 refers to the same group. Peter’s ministry was to Jews (Galatians 2.7-9). None of the Twelve had a ministry to Gentiles. That was Paul’s office (Romans 11.13).
Don,
Were the false prophets that Peter was warning them about Jews or Gentiles? My curiosity was struck when i read 2Pe 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Becky,
The false prophets of the past were Jews and this is what Peter probably had in mind for the future. But Peter’s words can also apply to all who promote heresy and deny Christ’s death for them. Another passage proving Christ died for all, not just the elect, which Calvinists maintain.
Hi
Do we have any evidence for when did Peter write his two letters? That would help a lot.
Blessings
Andrea,
2 Peter 3.1 refers to 1 Peter. It was probably written not too long before 2 Peter. 2 Peter had to be written before Paul closed the canon (Colossians 1.25) in 68 A.D. Peter was martyred about the same time as Paul and referred to his impending death in 2 Peter 1.12-15. Peter tells his readers to read Paul 2 Peter 3.15-16 and that Paul wrote Hebrews. All this puts the timeframe between about 62-68 A.D.
Don,
To what extent was Peter given the keys to the kingdom, other than
being in charge? Matt. 16:19
Bobbi,
Well, in one example, Peter exercised his authority at the Council of Jersualem when he declared Paul right and themselves wrong about the gospel.
Okay. That’s what I thought. Thank you :) it’s odd isn’t it that Peter wasn’t charge there in Acts 15, but like it says in Acts 12:17, he went to another place, because Herod had put him in prison. Maybe that’s why James was in charge. I don’t know how much time between chapters 12 &14, but that might be a possibility.
Bobbi,
As the nation continued to reject its Messiah, the gospel of the kingdom began to wane and with it, Peter’s authority. By the time of the Council, James had replaced Peter as the head man. Peter was so afraid of those in Jerusalem that he stopped eating with Gentiles in Antioch. Paul upbraided him for this (Galatians 2).
Another question if you will please Don. Do you suppose that Jesus statement in Luke 16:16, meant that it was a new age? Was it the beginning of the kingdom age before it was put into abeyance or what is meant here. The new covenant I would think would be the factor . But the new covenant couldn’t come until Christ died…
Bobbi,
This was another way of saying the kingdom of God was near. John was the last prophet and Israel was on the verge of obtaining its kingdom—if it repented.
Dear sir
who is Luke,luke is a one of twelve apostle?
Percy,
Luke was a Jewish physician and constant companion of Paul. He wrote the gospel of Luke and Acts both of which were addressed to Theophilus, most likely a prominent fellow Jew. We do not know how he became a Christian or how he became associated with Paul but mentioned him in his letters ( Colossians 4.14; 2 Timothy 4.11; Philemon 1.24).
Why does Peter refer to his audience as Christians in 1 Peter 4:16, when the term Χριστιανός (Christianos) is said to first be applied to believers in Acts 11:26? Was 1 Peter written after Acts 11 took place? If so, wouldn’t Peter be writing to the church?
Clayton,
1 Peter probably was written after Acts 11. It’s had to know what became when but the term “Christian” had probably replaced “followers of the Way” and had come to describe all who believed in Christ. Peter wrote only to Jewish believers (1 Peter 1.1). He had no ministry to Gentiles.
Don, I didn’t know where to post my questions. Do we know if Peter ever went to Rome? I know catholics say he died there, but they also claim he founded the church in Rome. Yet I thought he never left Jerusalem. I know in Romans Paul wrote about preaching in Rome and never mentions Peter. Didn’t Rome already have a church when Paul got there?
Craig,
Peter never went to Rome. That would have been the last place he would have gone. He may have gone to Babylon (1 Peter 5.13).
DON, I’m getting it. 2 questions
1. Are Peter’s letters useful for us Chtistians?
2. Faith and works were needed for OT salvation but how would any Jew know they were right with God since none had perfectly kept the law?
John,
1. Yes, all Scripture is God-breathed and useful. We can draw application and encouragement from all Scripture.
2. Difficult question. We have the assurance of salvation because everything is clear-cut: we have to believe Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead. No one could keep the Law perfectly and salvation always required faith. Yet some Jews knew they were saved. It would seem, therefore, that they trusted God and kept the Law as best they could. Only God can truly see the heart and God knew those who were His.
2 Peter 3.15. Peter speaking to the Jewish believers of him knowing Paul and how Paul also wrote to them. They were Christian’s not practicing levitical law or any laws anymore.
John,
Peter wrote to Jews and reminded them of Paul’s letter to them (Hebrews) most like written in about 53 A.D.
Don,
How was Cornelius saved? BOC or Kingdom, or was his different in some way?
Keith,
I don’t know. Because no works were involved I would lean towards BOC.
Hi Keith and Don,
that’s a great question, because Peter gave him the gospel of the kingdom message (ie., how Jesus told the Apostles to preach He is the Messiah decreed by God, remitting sin of those who repent/believe).
So, if Cornelius never heard the gospel of Grace, he would’ve remained under Kingdom salvation.
Thoughts?
Neill
Neill,
Maybe. We can ask him when we see him.
Don,
Was there a time period after the 51 AD council that Peter and the 12 taught Paul’s gospel (to Jews) instead of the gospel that Jesus taught in His earthly ministry? Or, if not, why did they continue to preach the kingdom gospel if they knew everything had changed with Paul?
Keith,
After the Council only Paul’s gospel was valid. Paul wrote that anyone who proclaimed a different gospel was cursed (Galatians 1.7-9).
Don, are you saying that the apostles understood the gospel of grace after this council and preached it from then on? Most of the Jews never would have accepted it.
Craig,
Most of the Jews did not accept the gospel of the kingdom either. Yes, after the Council they either proclaimed Paul’s gospel or were cursed.
I thought I had seen you write elsewhere that the 12 and Paul agreed that Paul would go to the gentiles with his gospel and they would go to the Jews with Christ’s Kingdom gospel. I struggle to understand the hard cut-off date, that suddenly a time existed when some who had no access to this new gospel of Paul’s had no source of salvation, if the Kingdom gospel was defunct. I thought it was a transition period, where both were in effect during a certain time period.
Keith,
Both gospels were valid until the Council of Jerusalem. There, Peter declared that Jews would have to be saved like Paul’s Gentiles. See my article, The Great Hinge.
I’d like to ask Peter why the bible gives a specific number (153?) as the count of fish he caught when Jesus Christ instructed him to cast his net the other way? this was during the 40 days before our Lord’s Ascension.
Joe,
There have been many speculative proposals but I haven’t seen a compelling one. The larger significance is the net did not break—all the fish were caught. So too, all Israel will be saved.
We all want to know Joe, lol! Good to see you here!
GOD bless all brethren…Amen
Hi Don,
As always many thx for all your work and help.
A compatriot of mine has pointed to 1Peter 3:7 to prove that our prayers can be hindered if we have sin in our life.
How would you answer them with the doctrine of grace in mind?
grateful thanks
Annie
Annie,
I do not recall Paul making any statement about this but sin always hinders our relationship with the Lord. Paul always gave great instruction, e.g. Ephesians 4.17-32.
Don, as I read the Bible through the new lenses you have provided questions come up I cannot answer b/c I’ve been thinking a certain way for so long.
1. Comparing Matt. 6.12 with 1 Cor. 15: 1-5, Forgiveness of sin. So, for ex., if someone under the gospel of grace has bitterness against another and refuses to forgive them, then God still forgives the unforgiving/bitter man but his relationship with the Lord is hindered because no longer is forgiveness conditional? Another if a Christian is a practicing homosexuality or adultery, then God forgives these sin too? Aren’t all these heart conditions rebellion against God’s Word?
2. Separate subject. At Jesus’ resurrection, when people came out of their graves, are we to assume that these were “all” the OT believers who looked forward to and believed that Messiah would one day come? Or are they being held in Abraham’s bosom and Christ collecyed them so to speak, at His ascension in Acts? Or will they too have to return during the Millennium reign and have to believe Jesus as the Messiah? Clarity appreciated.
Donna,
In the “Lord’s Prayer,” God’s forgives on the basis of man’s forgiveness. But Paul wrote the opposite (Ephesians 4.32; Colossians 3.13). We forgive because God has forgiven us. This is the difference between Law and grace, Do and live vs. Live and do. If we refuse to forgive, that bitterness hinders our walk with the Lord and the fruit of the Spirit. God forgives but there are consequences of sin.
As for the resurrection question, only a “sampling” like firstfruits of OT believers came out of the grave. It appears that Christ emptied Paradise and took it to heaven, so all OT believers are there but only some have resurrection bodies. Very limited Scriptural information on this.
Don, a catholic man I know, denies that Peter’s letters were by him. He claims that Peter, being Jewish, would never use Greek words such as Tartarus or Hades. How do i respond?
Craig,
The language and culture of the world in which Peter lived was Greek. Greek was the universal language since the time of Alexander the Great. This was why the Jews translated the OT into Greek (LXX). Many Jews lived in Gentile lands (Jews of the dispersion) and it was to these Jews that Peter wrote (1 Peter 1.1). They all spoke Greek.
Matthew 16 Christ asked Peter who he (Jesus Christ) was and Peter said “some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
A few days later Peter denied Christ 3 times. Did Peter really believe Jesus Christ was the Messiah? Jesus Christ believed him. There were many later on who died at the stake not denying Christ…(Polycarp for one). I believe there are some today who would rather die than deny our Lord. Why is the denial mentioned in the bible?
Don , what do you think?
Joe,
Peter had been adamant he would never deny the Lord. It is a warning to us all. Jesus said the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Often, We learn more from failure than success, and the lessons are painful. Peter never forgot.
Re: Acts 10 & Cornelius
1. He appeared to be an Italian (gentile)
2. God fearing, giving alms, and praised God
3. Respected by Jews
Was he a gentile convert to Judaism?
Obviously this has been used to show that Peter ministered to the Gentiles.
But is this in fact evidence of expanding the Gospel of the earthly Jesus?
Or is this an example of Peter spreading the Gospel to the gentiles?
Cig,
The purpose of Acts was to show Jews why the kingdom of God did not come on earth. Cornelius was a Gentile who believed the Abrahamic covenant. For that reason, he and his family were blessed. He was saved by faith alone which astonished Peter and the Jews with him. God used this experience so Peter would remember it many years later and come to Paul’s defense at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15). The leaders in Jerusalem did not understand Paul’s gospel and refused to believe Gentiles were being saved by faith alone. After the council, they agreed they would go to Jews and Paul would go to Gentiles (Galatians 2.6-9). See my articles, The Great Hinge, The Purpose of the Book of Acts.