Speaking the Truth in Love
Peter and Paul
Many of you in our audience have called with questions regarding the gospels of Peter and Paul. Some have claimed that they taught different things. The claims include the thought that Peter’s gospel was just for the Jews and Paul’s gospel was just for the Gentiles. We want to examine, not only the gospel that these two men and the apostles of the Lord taught, but also their commission from the Lord and their great examples of faith.
I. THE MISSIONS JESUS GAVE PETER AND PAUL
1. The Mission Of Peter (Matt. 16:16-19, 28:18-20, John 21:17-19, Acts 1:1-26, 1 Peter 1:1, 5:1-4, 2 Peter 1:12-14, Galatians 2:7-9)
2. The Mission Of Paul (Acts 9:4-6, 10-22, 22:4-21, 26:12-23, Gal. 1:11-18, 2:7, 9)
II. SOMETHING BIG CHANGED THEIR THINKING
1. Peter’s Change Seems To Have Come At The Ascension Of Jesus (Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-6, 2:14, 38-41)
2. Paul’s Change Was On The Road To Damascus (Acts 9:1-22, 22:1-21, 26:1-18)
III. THE GOSPEL MESSAGE OF PETER AND PAUL
1. Preached Salvation Only In The Name Of Jesus
a. Peter (Acts 2:21, 4:8-12, 10:42-43)
b. Paul (Acts 9:15-16, Romans 10:13, 1 Corinthians 1:13)
2. Belief In God
a. Peter (John 6:29, Acts 13:38-39, 15:7-11, 1 Peter 1:20-21)
b. Paul (Romans 10:10-11, Acts 16:29-31)
3. Confession
a. Peter (Matthew 10:1-4, 32-33, John 6:66-69)
b. Paul (Romans 10:8-9, Philippians 2:9-13)
4. Repentance Of Sins
a. Peter (Acts 3:19-21)
b. Paul (Acts 17:30-31)
5. Baptism
a. Peter (Acts 2:38, 40-41, 1 Peter 3:21)
b. Paul (Acts 22:16, Galatians 3:26-29)
6. Faithful Living
a. Peter (1 Peter 2:1-17, 4:1-19, 2 Peter 1:5-11)
b. Paul (Gal. 2:20, Phil. 4:11-13)
7. Continually Grow In The Knowledge Of The Lord And His Word
a. Peter (1 Peter 2:1-3, 2 Peter 3:17-18)
b. Paul (1 Corinthians 3:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
8. Diligently Serve The Lord
a. Peter (2 Peter 3:14)
b. Paul (1 Corinthians 15:58, 2 Timothy 2:15)
9. Christians Are To Teach Others The Gospel
a. Peter (1 Peter 3:15-17)
b. Paul (2 Timothy 2:1-2, 4:2)
IV. THE EXAMPLES OF PETER AND PAUL
1. These Men Were Not Simply Handed Salvation. They Had To Endure Sufferings.
a. Peter (John 21:18-19, Acts 4:1-22, 5:17-42, 12:1-4, 1 Peter 3:12-14)
b. Paul (Acts 14:19-20, 16:16-24, 21:26-36, 2 Cor. 11:22-33, 2 Tim. 4:16-18)
2. They Both Sought The Lord In Their Lives
a. Peter (1 Peter 4:12-5:4)
b. Paul (Philippians 3:7-15)
3. Peter And Paul Were Not Perfect
a. Peter denied the Lord, was caught in hypocrisy (John 13:36-38, Gal. 2:11-21)
b. Paul persecuted the Way (Acts 7:58, 22:4-5, 19-20, Phil. 3:6, 1 Tim. 1:12-15)
4. Even Though Not Perfect, They Both Sought And Encouraged Perfection In Christ
a. Peter (1 Peter 1:1-9, 22-23, 5:10-11)
b. Paul (Ro. 12:1-2, 2 Cor. 4:16-5:11, Eph. 4:11-16, Col. 1:28, 3:1-4)
5. They Did Not Let Past Failures Keep Them From Living Their Future For The Lord
a. Peter (1 Peter 1:13-19, 4:1-5, 2 Peter 3:11-16)
b. Paul (2 Cor. 12:9-10, Eph. 5:15-21, Phil. 3:12-14, 2 Timothy 4:8)
6. Words Of Encouragement From Peter And Paul
a. Peter (1 Peter 5:5-11)
b. Paul (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13, 5:23)
V. CONCLUSION
The gospel that Peter and Paul taught and wrote down for us was the gospel of Jesus Christ. Peter and Paul did not try to draw attention to themselves or to their own versions of the gospel but rather to Jesus Christ who died for them (Acts 10:25-26, 14:8-16, 1 Corinthians 1:12-13). It was the same gospel for all people, Jews and Gentiles. That gospel is calling you the same way today. If you are not a Christian, why not listen to the teachings of Peter and Paul. Believe in the Lord, repent of your sins, confess that Jesus is the Son of God, be baptized for the remission of your sins, and be determined to live your life faithfully for Him. That is how one becomes a faithful Christian and that is how one can store up a reward in Heaven! We hope to see you next time on “Speaking the Truth in Love”.
