Saul who was Paul, grew in faith through fear of God. His reverence fueled his faith and his faithfulness defined his obedience.
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Acts 9:15,16
15
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
16
I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
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Simon who was Peter grew in obedience through witnessing the power of the Lord. His obedience defined his faithfulness.
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Luke 22:34
34
Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."
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And
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John 21:15-17
15
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
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And
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Acts 10:13-16
13
Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
16
This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
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Paul learned fear of the Lord, and his devotion to his ministry was defined in his humility. Peter's devotion was defined by his testimony that he was witness to the Law being fulfilled in Christ Jesus.
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Luke 5:38,39
38
No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.
39
And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’ ”
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Paul's ministry was the new wine, and Peter's ministry was for the old wine. Paul was the faith ministry, and Peter and the other disciples were of the Messianic ministry. Both were distinct, and specific to their works. Both did ministry that included both Jew and Gentile, yes. But both ministries approached the good news from different aspects.
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Acts 11:1
1
The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
2
So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
Acts 11:15-18
15
“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning.
16
Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with a water, but you will be baptized with b the Holy Spirit.’
17
So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”
18
When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
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Paul 'died' everyday for the Lord. This is on account of him having to renew his faith daily. He denied himself, in every aspect of worldliness to be his testimony to others. Peter showed his obedience in every testimony. He showed the power of Christ's authority through his righteous ways.
Peter used examples from holy scriptures, and referenced Christ Jesus and his ministry to relate to the Jews he spoke to. While the Holy Spirit placed words on Paul to minister to the Gentiles who did not know the holy scriptures, and Paul was not witness to the ministry of Christ Jesus. What is glorious about this, Paul was greatly well versed and well known by the Jews, while Peter was the son of a fisherman. The Lord is honored by their transitions because each had to set themselves aside with humility to do what the Lord set before them.
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Acts 11:25
25
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
26
and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
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"The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."
Today, the ministry of Paul is the defining characteristic of the known world of Christianity. The messianical ministry of Peter and the other disciples was meant for Jewish believers to come into the new mediation. Christians that did not come from a background in the Law, are to be of the faith ministry of Paul.
What value is there to a Christian to know the history of Abrahamic Jews, the Law, and the Messianical ministry? Any wisdom that is true, helps fortify faith. But, the faith ministry is what teaches a soul to deny themselves, humbling themselves out of fear for their souls eternal life. And that fear of God shown through denial of self, and acts of faithfulness are what is the foundation of their love for the Father. In this way, faithfulness leads to obedience.
Repent what draws you away from faith. To give your regrets to the Lord in sincerity is a freedom that has been given to all mankind to celebrate. Ask forgiveness and grant forgiveness. Seek strength that is unseen and holy to overcome your worldliness. Pray constantly, and fill your mind with attention to the good that is around you. Persevere.
Faithfulness is holy. It leads us to rely on the Holy Spirit we cling to. Love. Fear the Lord and live to serve in loving ways those around you, and those placed before you. Christians are connected by the Spirit of Truth, and although we all have trials, we can relate in the holiness that comes upon us. So share openly the holy things you are witness to.
We are deeply loved. Thank the Father for His Son. May the Father bless and enrich your day.
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