Thankfully Paul fed more of Jesus’s sheep than Peter, and he also had the key to the KOG, which is saving faith.
John 3 and Water Baptism in the Ministry of Jesus Christ
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Thankfully Paul fed more of Jesus’s sheep than Peter, and he also had the key to the KOG, which is saving faith.
1 Corinthians 3:4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?
5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.
They BOTH did what was assigned to them. That's the point. It's not about who's assignment was bigger or more important.
God couldn't have found someone else? Dire? Do you suppose God could have gotten someone else to go to Ninevah?
The spread of the gospel wasn't dependent upon Peter, or anyone else. It's little wonder many here believe their salvation is due to their actions. They simply don't believe in the omnipotence of God to bring to pass what He ordains.
God's relationship with His servants are just as important as the assignments themselves. God specifically chose Jonah because He KNEW that Jonah didn't care for the Ninevites. A lot of valuable lessons, not only for Jonah, but for all of God's people can be learned from that situation. The same with Peter - he would have missed out on lessons to learn. The result is the maturity and growth in 1 and 2 Peter.
So when God has an assignment for me, I don't tell Him, "Oh let someone else do it!" I know that I can learn something from God when I follow through on it and use that to help others out.
All fine stuff, but it doesn't address my statement. God is in no way limited by the vessels He chooses. Those who water and plant are nothing...1 Corinthians 3:7...God gives the increase.God's relationship with His servants are just as important as the assignments themselves. God specifically chose Jonah because He KNEW that Jonah didn't care for the Ninevites. A lot of valuable lessons, not only for Jonah, but for all of God's people can be learned from that situation. The same with Peter - he would have missed out on lessons to learn. The result is the maturity and growth in 1 and 2 Peter.
So when God has an assignment for me, I don't tell Him, "Oh let someone else do it!" I know that I can learn something from God when I follow through on it and use that to help others out.
So you palm off all the assignments God wants you to do to other Christians? Don't you want the opportunity to do things together with God just for the fun of doing something together with Him? Why would you refuse Him???
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
No, that's not what I'm saying. I can't think of anything more delightful than God allowing me to work alongside Him. But that doesn't change the fact that I'm not necessary for God's intended purpose to be realized.So you palm off all the assignments God wants you to do to other Christians? Don't you want the opportunity to do things together with God just for the fun of doing something together with Him? Why would you refuse Him???
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
That's pretty short-sighted though. I don't think this is about God not needing us. If that were so, He would not have made any of us at all. Ask yourself, why did He even bother to make us then? But this is why I posted:
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
That is our purpose and that is what makes us necessary to Him. If you palm off your work to someone else, you're not doing the purpose you were made for.
Again with the palming off. I never said I did such, and also professed my delight to enter into the work that God is doing. You seem to be unable to distinguish between enjoying the prospect of working alongside God and our necessity in doing so. I enjoy seeing God at work and joining Him in what He is doing. I also recognize that He doesn't need me to accomplish His purposes. Two distinct things.That's pretty short-sighted though. I don't think this is about God not needing us. If that were so, He would not have made any of us at all. Ask yourself, why did He even bother to make us then? But this is why I posted:
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
That is our purpose and that is what makes us necessary to Him. If you palm off your work to someone else, you're not doing the purpose you were made for.
I know that they're distinct, but you downplay the fact that God DID already make us with a purpose in mind. That means yes, He could choose to do things Himself - that's a given (nothing earth-shattering about it), but He obviously doesn't want to. The reality is that He chose to accomplish His purpose through us and that's why we are a necessity to Him. He doesn't want to do this work without us.
I think the work God calls us to is important to Him, but you seem to downplay it like if you don't do it, it doesn't matter because He'll just do it Himself or have someone else do it. But think about the reason why He would want you to do a work specifically for Him. There is personal relationship-building opportunities with Him that He wants with you, as well as other possible blessings for other people through that work. I just don't want you to think so much about what you can get away with not serving Him, but think more about the reason why He want you to work with Him in the first place.
I'm not just posting this for you, but for other readers as well. I want everyone to know that even though God can do everything Himself, He made us necessary to Him anyway.
We are to believe the word of God and it says there are keys to the kingdom, not a single key as you suggest. Jesus words, not mine; "...I (Jesus) will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: ... (Matt 16:19)
Peter presented the keys that all believers must obey in order to gain entrance into the kingdom. (Acts 2, 8, 10) Paul did not change the message but rather provided insight concerning repentance, water baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost:
Repentance:
Paul speaking, "But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Water baptism;
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." Rom. 6:3-6
Receiving the Holy Ghost is essential;
"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Rom. 8:9
God is sovereign, and He chooses to use man to spread the gospel. Could He have done it another way? Of course, He's God!
And, whether you accept it or not the word of God expresses that everyone living in the NT must repent, and be water baptized in the name of Jesus for remission of sin and receive the Holy Ghost in order to gain entrance into the kingdom. (John 3:3-5, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:36-42, 8:12-18, 9:17-18, 10:43:49, 19:1:10, 22:16...) Those who believe what God says, and obey what was initially expressed by the Apostle Peter, come to know the truth, and that truth makes them free. It is only after the act of faith that one's spiritual eyes become open.
"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that OBEY him;" Heb. 5:9
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matt. 28:18-21
The following scripture reveals so much more than people realize. Those who get water baptized without ever believing what God says on the subject come out of the water no different than when they entered. However, those who believe and submit to baptism come out of the water a new creation in Jesus. (2 Cor. 5:17) Why? Because God said so!
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:15-16
I appreciate that you are zealous in your views, I simply disagree with them because you emphasize the actions of men over those of God and, thus, works as superior to grace.
God's grace is seen in His willingness to make a way of salvation when no one deserved it. As the bible attests those who believe God and obey Him always receive what He promises; note the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. The same applies to the NT rebirth. Those who believe God and obey Him take hold of what Jesus died to provide; as Ananias told Paul, be baptized and wash away thy sins calling upon the name of the Lord.