Part 2 of 5 – Peter’s & Paul’s Callings and Ministries Differ

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called The Apostle, The Mystery, And The Body Of Christ.

While it’s true that the Lord sent Peter to the Gentile house of Cornelius for an intended purpose (I cannot get into that purpose in this writing), it is also true that Peter’s specific designated ministry was to the Nation Israel…not the Gentiles (Matt 10:5-6). As we read here below, Peter’s ministry was to “the circumcision (Israel), while Paul’s ministry was “contrary” to that of Peter. The ascended Lord directed Paul’s ministry and gospel “the uncircumcision,” to the Gentiles.

Galatians 2:7 But CONTRARIWISE, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me (Paul), as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter.

Paul was a Jew and “a Pharisee (Heb 3:5) called Saul of Tarsus, and he had Roman citizenship. But after his conversion, Paul then went by his Greek name, Paul, as he proceeded with his Christ-given ministry to “the Gentiles.”

The sad situation we see in the impoverished church at large today is due to the fact that so many have turned aside from the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul. Most often, they preach a perverted message, still having a measure of “the law” that is not for believer’s today (Rom 6:14). Paul would call their gospel “another gospel” that is “not” the gospel for today.

Galatians 1:6-7 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto ANOTHER GOSPEL: 7 Which is NOT another; but there be some that trouble you, and would PERVERT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.

Thus, many today either do not know, believe, or accept Paul’s ministry and gospel to be principally for the Gentiles, and thus they miss out on the full impact of Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.” Seeing Christ according to the revelation of the mystery” is something much more than reading about Jesus of Nazareth’s in His earthly ministry to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matt 15:24).

Since “the mystery” was hid and “kept secret” until it was revealed to Paul some several years after the cross, it had not been made known to the twelve Apostles who had walked with Jesus of Nazareth in His earthly ministry that was exclusively “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt 10:5-6).

Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I AM NOT SENT BUT UNTO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL.

Romans 15:8 Now I say that JESUS CHRIST WAS A MINISTER OF THE CIRCUMCISION for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
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: 6 But GO RATHER TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL
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Not being of “the Twelve” apostles, Paul and his grace apostles and prophets, meaning sent ones as spokesman, (e.g., Barnabas, Silas, Titus, 2Cor 8:16-17) preached the new Pauline “gospel of the grace of God.” They preached Pauline truths in order to build the churches of “the body of Christ” that Paul founded in his several missionary journeys.

Thankfully, since Paul received this new “gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24) for us today, it is no longer hid, except to those whose minds are “blinded,” and by those who handle “the word of God deceitfully.” Many of these blinded people are among the churches at large today.

2 Corinthians 4:1-4 Therefore seeing we (Paul and his sent ones) have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;  2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor HANDLING THE WORD OF GOD DECEITFULLY; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

My prayer is that the pure “gospel of the grace of God” that Paul received from the ascended Lord for the Gentles today would be preached in this age with clarity and in purity. Sadly, “the god of this world,” Satan, has influenced most of the Christian churches, their Bible schools, and seminaries, such that Paul’s “gospel of the grace of God” is most often erroneously mixed with the “gospel of the kingdom” that Jesus declared “at hand” and intended for the nation Israel. This is commonly called “covenant theology.” Worse yet, by this they emasculate the power of gospel of “the grace of God” by mixing Paul’s gospel with “the commandments and doctrines of men,” (Col 2:22), the doctrines of religious denominations, and the doctrines of organizations.