Topical Bible: Peter: Receives Paul

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The relationship between the Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul is a significant aspect of early Christian history, reflecting the unity and diversity within the early Church. The reception of Paul by Peter is a pivotal moment that underscores the acceptance of Paul's apostolic authority and the expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Background

Peter, originally named Simon, was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ. He is often considered the leader of the apostles and played a crucial role in the early Church, particularly in Jerusalem. Paul, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, was a Pharisee who initially persecuted Christians. His dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19) marked the beginning of his ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles.

Peter and Paul in Jerusalem

The initial meeting between Peter and Paul is recorded in the book of Acts and further elaborated in Paul's epistle to the Galatians. After his conversion, Paul spent time in Arabia and Damascus before going to Jerusalem to meet Peter. In Galatians 1:18-19 , Paul writes, "Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother."

This meeting was crucial for Paul's ministry, as it provided him with the opportunity to connect with the leaders of the early Church. Peter's willingness to meet with Paul indicates a recognition of the transformative work God had done in Paul's life and his calling as an apostle.

The Council of Jerusalem

The relationship between Peter and Paul is further highlighted during the Council of Jerusalem, as described in Acts 15. This council was convened to address the issue of whether Gentile converts to Christianity were required to follow the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision. Peter played a significant role in the council, advocating for the acceptance of Gentiles without the burden of the law. In Acts 15:7-11 , Peter states, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you that the Gentiles should hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

Peter's support for Paul's mission to the Gentiles was instrumental in the council's decision to affirm that salvation is through grace and not by adherence to the law. This decision was a defining moment for the early Church, solidifying the unity between Jewish and Gentile believers.

Peter and Paul in Antioch

Despite their cooperation, Peter and Paul did experience a moment of tension, as recorded in Galatians 2:11-14. Paul recounts an incident in Antioch where he confronted Peter for withdrawing from eating with Gentile believers due to pressure from certain Jewish Christians. Paul writes, "But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group."

This confrontation highlights the challenges faced by the early Church in navigating cultural and religious differences. It also demonstrates the commitment of both apostles to the truth of the Gospel, even when it required difficult conversations.

Conclusion

The interactions between Peter and Paul reflect the dynamic and sometimes challenging nature of early Church leadership. Their relationship, marked by mutual respect and occasional conflict, ultimately contributed to the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of a unified Christian doctrine. Through their collaboration and commitment to the truth, Peter and Paul exemplified the transformative power of the Gospel and the importance of unity in the body of Christ.

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Galatians 1:18
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days.
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Galatians 2:9
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go to the heathen, and they to the circumcision.
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Library

The Seven Books of John Cassian
... He produces testimonies to the same doctrine from the Apostle Paul. ... The confession
of the blessed Peter receives a testimony to its truth from Christ Himself. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cassian/the seven books of john cassian /

The Catholic Epistles.
... It contains a renewed assurance of his agreement with his "beloved brother Paul,"
to whose Epistles he respectfully ... As Peter himself receives in one of ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 87 the catholic epistles.htm

Prophecy was not Only from the Father and the Son but Also from ...
... evident that, since the Spirit wrought in Paul, the Holy ... And not only in Peter is
there found to be ... man; each, according to his capacity, receives that which ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xiii prophecy was not.htm

The Four Gospels.
... to gather his material during Paul's imprisonment between ... his details no doubt from
Peter's own lips ... credibility of the canonical Gospels receives also negative ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 78 the four gospels.htm

The Statements of Iren??us in Regard to the Divine Scriptures.
... recorded in a book the Gospel which Paul had declared ... proofs from it, and likewise
the first Epistle of Peter. ... he not only knows, but also receives, The Shepherd ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter viii the statements of irenaeus.htm

Phil. 1:01 the Rights and Duties of Lay Churchmen.
... I suspect it receives far less attention from Bible- readers than ... Paul tells those
who are "spiritual" among the Galatians to do it ... Peter write a General Epistle ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xvii phil 1 1 the.htm

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans
... Peter's address on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2 ... Paul was quite alive to the fact
that skilful ... throughout implies that man actually receives "the righteousness ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xiii the epistle of.htm

The vision of Paul.
... in any point was I hurt by them on that account from morning till evening: blessed
is he who receives some hurt ... The End of the Vision of Saint Paul. ... of Peter. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the vision of paul/the vision of paul.htm

The First Disciples: ii. Simon Peter
... it will be so to us unless we can give it the modification which it receives from
the ... He will not make a Peter into a John, or a John into a Paul, but He ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the first disciples ii simon.htm

'The Breastplate of Righteousness'
Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John. ... Paul thinks of righteousness
as existent before the ... That righteousness which faith receives is no mere ...
/.../the breastplate of righteousness.htm