TWO GREAT APOSTLES

TWO GREAT APOSTLES

In the first century after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, two men rose up as apostles in the early church. At that time the whole known world was divided between "Jews" and "Gentiles" (non-Jews). The Jews were descendants of Abraham, and were known throughout scripture as God's "chosen people", that He had set apart from the other nations to show them how God, their Creator expected them to live. Paul is known as the apostle to the Gentiles, while Peter is known as the apostle to the Jews. It seems to me that they must have made some agreement between themselves, that If Paul would allow Peter to write a two part letter to the Gentile churches that he had established, he in turn would allow Paul to write a letter to the Hebrew church centered in Jerusalem. This is only speculation on my part, but the evidence seems quite clear to me, that they were clearly addressing the churches in each others area of responsibility. I know the theologians can't agree on who wrote Hebrews, because no author is named, but the writing style points to Paul in my opinion!

Paul was given clear revelation about the true church consisting of both Jews and Gentiles when he wrote his letter to the church in Ephesus. This is part of the great mystery that God revealed to Paul as recorded in (Eph 2:14-22). And then in (1 Peter 1:1-2) he clearly identifies who he is writing to, and later in (1 Peter 2:9-10) you would think he was writing to Jews. He refers to them as "God's chosen people" and a "holy nation"! These people were born as Gentiles (non Jews), but are now "new creatures in Christ" (2 Cor 5:17), as were the Jews in Jerusalem after they believed in Jesus, and accepted Him as their Savior! God is no respecter of persons, but loves the whole world with His Agape love. (John 3:16), and expects us as followers of Jesus, to do the same!   

We may not be apostles like Paul and Peter, but we are considered as "Christ's ambassadors", with a ministry of reconciling people to God. We often think that this is reserved for pastors or missionaries to far countries, but now God is bringing a great mixture of these nations, with various religious backgrounds, right here to our own city! What an opportunity to practice our ministry of reconciliation, without leaving our home city. God is bringing the nations to us, to learn about His amazing love and acceptance!!
Sincerely submitted.
Dave Jamer