Peter and Paul in the Bible

Peter and Paul Bible

Dispute Study

Christianity Oasis Ministry provides this Peter and Paul Bible study looking into the disagreement between Biblical Peter and Paul in the Bible revealing Truth as to bring forth understanding and peace.

Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Many Called Few Chosen Bible study program. This is our thought provoking and extremely intriguing Peter and Paul Bible study taking an in depth look into the argument between Biblical Peter and Paul in the Bible. The absolutely awesome message within this Peter and Paul Bible study quest for Truth concerning the disagreement between Biblical Peter and Paul in the Bible will enhance your YOU-nique Christian walk.

Peter and Paul Bible Study

Biblical Peter and Paul in the Bible

Biblical Peter and Paul Bible Study Adventure
The Gentiles, Peter and Paul in the Bible

Did you know that Peter and Paul had a disagreement dispute? Even the concept of Peter and Paul having a disagreement or Peter and Paul having a dispute, sounds strange, Does it not? I mean, most people imagine Peter and Paul as being best friends or something. We were raised to imagine these as two heroes in Christianity and they were. However, Peter and Paul did have a disagreement which became known as the Peter and Paul Bible story dispute. What was the Peter and Paul disagreement dispute all about?

Well, Before we look into the Peter and Paul disagreement let us first find out how they were alike. Both of them were Apostles of Jesus Christ which means they were on the same team. Both were hand picked by Jesus early on in Christianity.

Peter

Matthew 4:18-20

¹⁸ And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
¹⁹ And He saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
²⁰ And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him.

Matthew 16:17-18

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.
¹⁸ And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Paul

Acts 9:6

And he [Paul] trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Acts 9:15

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he [Paul] is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel ...

Biblical Peter and Paul Bible study reminder ... Both were sent to preach the Gospel, both were Jewish by birth, both were persecuted by non-believers, both died for Jesus. In fact, these two souls had a great deal in common. So, how were Peter and Paul different? Peter was an Apostle for the Jewish people. Paul was an Apostle for the Gentiles (souls other than Jewish people).

Galatians 2:8

(For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

In fact, Peter assigned Paul to the Gentiles.

Galatians 2:7-9

⁷ But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
⁸ (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
⁹ And when James, Cephas [Peter], and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

So, our Peter and Paul Bible study research reveals that there were two different callings, but for the same cause, just reaching and teaching souls from different nations. The Jewish people who were headstrong about Old Covenant laws and customs and the Gentiles who were not under the Old Covenant laws and customs.

Biblical Peter and Paul Bible Study Details
Peter and Paul in the Bible Fight

In addition ... Peter was with Jesus in the flesh, heard the Gospel first hand, was present at Jesus' death, saw the resurrected Christ and witnessed His ascension into Heaven.

Paul, on the other hand, saw Jesus in visions and was guided in his apostleship by the Holy Spirit. He never met Jesus face to face, as far as we know, and before Jesus revealed to Paul what his destiny was, Paul persecuted Christians.

So, Does that make Peter the authority on Christianity, more so than Paul? Absolutely not. As a matter of fact, there is quite a lesson to be learned here for people who get frustrated with themselves because they sometimes forget what is righteous and commit sins that they've committed in the past and thought they learned from it and knew better!

The same thing happened to Peter when He denied Jesus three times and later was told something to do by the Holy Spirit, disputed the request and the Holy Spirit had to tell Peter three times.

Acts 10:9-16

⁹ On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
¹⁰ And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
¹¹ And saw Heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
¹² Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
¹³ And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
¹⁴ But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
¹⁵ And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
¹⁶ This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into Heaven.

This vision would become the Truth of the peter and Paul disagreement dispute. To understand the Peter and Paul disagreement dispute, it is important to know a little background information first.

As mentioned earlier, Peter was an Apostle of Jesus during Jesus time on earth. Don't forget that the Time of the Gentiles (New Covenant) hadn't begun yet (until after Jesus' death) and Peter witnessed these types of things spoken by Jesus:

Matthew 10:5-6

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 15:22-24

²² And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
²³ But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
²⁴ But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

So, Peter was kind of conditioned on the Old Covenant from birth and did not fully understand the New Covenant.

Add to this that in the Old Testament, it was unlawful for the Jewish people to associate with Gentiles.

Numbers 33:55-56

⁵⁵ But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.
⁵⁶ Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.

Now, after the death of a testator is when a testament is put into effect:

Hebrews 9:16

For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

Biblical Peter and Paul Bible Study Prophecy
Differences Between Peter and Paul in the Bible

So, it wasn't until Jesus died, that the New Covenant began, and Peter apparently was not aware of how the New Covenant accepted the Gentiles since Jesus died so that all could be saved.

But, should not Peter have understood his own Spirit filled words as he spoke to souls of many different nations on the day of Pentecost concerning salvation for the Gentiles:

Acts 2:21

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

But, apparently, Peter for some reason (probably just the fact that he was human) needed additional understanding that the New Covenant replaced the Old Covenant, it was not in addition to it, so the Lord sent Peter a vision showing him that all souls (despite nationality) are now God's chosen people, Jewish and Gentile alike, if they believe in the risen Christ.

Perhaps this is why Peter was given the vision as a reminder:

Acts 10:9-16

The vision meant that gentiles would be accepted and taught the Gospel and were not to be deemed as being defiled so that Jewish Christians could eat with Gentile Christians.

Peter, after having the vision, and in full understanding then said:

Acts 10:34-35

³⁴ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a Truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
³⁵ But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.

Biblical Peter and Paul Bible Study Discussion
Peter and Paul in the Bible Division

All of this happened in Caesarea, but when Peter returned to Jerusalem, some of the Jewish people (his fellow peers and friends) were angry with him because they heard that he ate with the Gentiles after his vision from the Lord.

Acts 11:1-11

¹ And the Apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God.
² And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
³ Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
⁴ But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
⁵ I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
⁶ Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
⁷ And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
⁸ But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
⁹ But the voice answered me again from Heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
¹⁰ And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into Heaven.
¹¹ And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.

So, Peter was attacked by his peers and friends. But, Peter stood his ground and told the Truth and those who heard, gained understanding and praised God that the Gentiles were also granted Salvation.

Peter and Paul Bible study Note: Peter spoke the Truth of God in front of peers and friends which was against their beliefs and his peers and friends could not contend with Truth.

Then later, Peter came to visit the Gentile Christians where Paul was in Antioch and Peter wouldn't eat with the Gentiles because of what the Jewish people (his Jewish Christian peers and friends who were with him) might think or do. Peter, being a well known person, also influenced other Jewish people by his actions, and they followed in like manner, shunning the Gentiles.

Galatians 2:11-21

¹¹ But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
¹² For before that certain came from James, he [Peter] did eat with the Gentiles: but when they [Peter's peers and friends who believed the law of not eating with Gentiles was still in effect.] were come, he [Peter] withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
¹³ And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him [Peter]; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
¹⁴ But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the Truth of the Gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, 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?
¹⁵ We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
¹⁶ Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
¹⁷ But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
¹⁸ For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
¹⁹ For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
²⁰ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
²¹ I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Biblical Peter and Paul Bible Study Promise
Peter and Paul in the Bible Summary

So, Paul knew that Peter had eaten with Gentiles before and yet because Peter was with some Jewish peers and friends still holding the Old Covenant Law belief, he took their part against Truth and Paul had no problem sharing Truth. Does this make Peter a "bad guy?" Goodness no!

In Truth, it would have been a true blessing if the Body of Christ known as the Church would have (over the years) handled their various disputes in this manner and we would not have all of the divisions that we have in the Church today.

Are you and I bad because we support our peers and friends' beliefs even when they are wrong? No. It makes us human. However, as Christians, we are not to just accept "human nature" and make such choices, because when we are born in the Spirit, we put away the "human" being in us and live as "Spiritual" beings and put God first.

This happens to us at times, does it not? Our friends and peers believe one thing or do what we just know is wrong and want no part of it. But, we remain silent as to not rock the boat. But, when it come to a point where we must choose between God and friends. We must choose to choose God.

Remember that Peter stood up to his peers and friends and they respected him and then knew Truth. Peter and Paul were friends and yet Paul chose to stand up to Peter to please God over his friend. As far as the end result of Paul and Peter's Bible dispute ... Both continued to serve the Lord and it was obvious from Peter's words and deeds that he took God's reminder (through his friend Paul's words) to heart.

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