The Authority Of Peter And Paul

[Rick]

The Authority Of Peter And Paul

7But 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
9And when James, Cephas, 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.
Galations 2:7-9

In this passage of scripture the authority of both Peter and Paul is
clearly established. In the New Testament the Jewish body of
believers established by the twelve disciples of Jesus is called the
circumcision. Peter was the chief apostle of the Jewish branch of the
early church and he received that authority directly from Christ.
Paul affirms Peter`s position among the circumcision believers in
verse 8. However the apostle God sent to the Gentiles was the apostle
Paul. Paul speaks of his position among the Gentile uncircumcision
Gentile believers in Romans 11:13 and in a few other places in his
writings as well.

Peter never held a position of authority within the Gentile church.
That office belonged to Paul alone. Peter ministered almost
exclusively to Jewish believers. He supported Paul's work and Paul`s
ministry. In his later years he wrote two epistles to the Gentile
church and clearly had some contact with the Gentile believers. But
there is no evidence that Peter ever left Asia and it is highly
probable that it is a myth that Peter visited Rome.

There is not a single verse in the Bible that supports the idea that
Peter held authority among the Gentiles.

[tradcat]

Originally Posted by Rick

The Authority Of Peter And Paul

7But 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
9And when James, Cephas, 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.
Galations 2:7-9

In this passage of scripture the authority of both Peter and Paul is
clearly established. In the New Testament the Jewish body of
believers established by the twelve disciples of Jesus is called the
circumcision. Peter was the chief apostle of the Jewish branch of the
early church and he received that authority directly from Christ.
Paul affirms Peter`s position among the circumcision believers in
verse 8. However the apostle God sent to the Gentiles was the apostle
Paul. Paul speaks of his position among the Gentile uncircumcision
Gentile believers in Romans 11:13 and in a few other places in his
writings as well.

Peter never held a position of authority within the Gentile church.
That office belonged to Paul alone. Peter ministered almost
exclusively to Jewish believers. He supported Paul's work and Paul`s
ministry. In his later years he wrote two epistles to the Gentile
church and clearly had some contact with the Gentile believers. But
there is no evidence that Peter ever left Asia and it is highly
probable that it is a myth that Peter visited Rome.

There is not a single verse in the Bible that supports the idea that
Peter held authority among the Gentiles.

Our Lord Jesus Christ gave supreme authority to Peter over His Church. See Matthew 16 v18 ''And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.''

This verse indicates to me that Christ has given Peter supreme authority - Peter is the Head of the Church.

and also....

Matthew 16, v19
19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

Although, if what you say is true, Peter may have had little contact with the gentiles, but he was the one that Jesus chose to be the Supreme Head of the Church in Christ's place once Our Lord was no longer on earth.

Your thoughts?

[Rick]

My comments in ( )

Originally Posted by tradcat

Our Lord Jesus Christ gave supreme authority to Peter over His Church. See Matthew 16 v18 ''And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.''

( Peter was given authority over the Messianic Jewish church and as the New Testament unfolds it is pretty clear that Peter`s ruleship was one of first among equals and far different from the man made church hierarchy that came into existence after the first generation of Messianic belief. The verse you quoting is widely misunderstood. The word Peter means little rock. Christ told Peter he is a little rock. When Christ said "upon this rock" He was refering to Himself not Peter.)

This verse indicates to me that Christ has given Peter supreme authority - Peter is the Head of the Church.

( The Bible tells us that Peter held the Apostleship of the Circumcision. He was the head of that church.)

and also....

Matthew 16, v19
19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

Although, if what you say is true, Peter may have had little contact with the gentiles, but he was the one that Jesus chose to be the Supreme Head of the Church in Christ's place once Our Lord was no longer on earth.

Your thoughts?

( Peter was given the keys and the power of binding and loosing. It was a power given to Peter not a title. Peter`s apostleship as leader of the Jewish church is affirmed later, in the book of Galatians.)

[tradcat]

Could I please have some Scripture references to your statement above?

[Rick]

Originally Posted by tradcat

Could I please have some Scripture references to your statement above?

The Biblical reference is in the article.