Differences between Peter and Paul’s Message
Peter and Paul never taught the same gospel. When Peter taught the kingdom gospel at Pentecost, Saul was rejecting the Messiah. When Paul preached the gospel of the grace of God, Peter’s gospel of the kingdom to Israel was limited to the circumcision.
Below are the six major issues of distinction between what Peter taught and what Paul taught. The main similarity between the two messages exists in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 1:10).
| Peter* taught: | Paul taught: |
| 1. Israel and Prophecy | |
|
Israel is still standing and prophecy is being fulfilled. (Acts 2:16-17; 3:21,24-26) |
Israel is fallen and the prophecies are postponed. (Rom 3:10,19;11:11,25; 16:25) |
| 2. Apostolic responsibility | |
|
Salvation is of the Jews led by the twelve apostles. (John 4:22; Mat 19:28; 1 Pet 1:10; Rev 21:14) |
Salvation sent to Gentiles through Paul: the Apostle of the Gentiles. (Rom 11:13; Col 1:25; 2 Tim 1:11; 1 Cor 3:10) |
| 3. Justification | |
|
Salvation and the law; justification by faith in Jesus as the Messiah accompanied by necessary works. (Jam 2:24; 1 John 2:5; Mat 19:27; Heb 10:26) |
Salvation apart from the law; justification by faith alone in the cross work of Jesus Christ. (Rom 4:5; Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5; 1 Cor 15:1-4) |
| 4. The Church** | |
|
Separation between the Jew and Gentile; Israel is God’s chosen people. Gentiles blessed through Israel. (Mat 10:5; Luke 24:49; Acts 11:19) |
No longer Jew nor Gentile but all are part of a new creature in Christ called his Body. (Gal 3:28; Col 3:11; Eph 2:15; 1 Cor 12:13) |
| 5. God’s representation | |
|
God’s holy nation, the little flock of Israel, is His earthly representation from among the world. (Isa 61:6; Rev 7:1-8; 1 Pet 2:5,9) |
Gentile Ambassadors are His representation to a world in total rebellion. (2 Cor 5:20; 1 Cor 12:20; 2 Tim 2:2) |
| 6. Destiny*** | |
|
Promised to receive an earthly inheritance in the kingdom. (1 Pet 1:4; Mat 6:10; Heb 13:14; Rev 21:2) |
Promise of an heavenly position in God’s universal dominion. (Phil 3:20; Eph 2:6; 1 Thess 4:17) |
* Peter is used as representative of the twelve apostles during their kingdom and Pentecostal ministry.
** There are three churches mentioned by name in the Bible; listed are two.
*** In the dispensation of the fullness of times both of these things will be brought together in Christ (Eph 1:10).