Contrary to what most people think, Peter and Paul's teachings were somewhat different. The Bible is very clear in that Jesus' disciples were to preach the word to the lost sheep of Israel first. Israel is God's chosen people, so from the start of the early church the disciples were not allowed to enter any Gentile city until Saul's transformation into Paul. God made Paul His "chosen vessel" to bring the Gospel to the Gentile nations, Acts 9:15. Paul was chosen for the Gentiles and Peter was chosen to preach the Word to the Jews. It is interesting that even though Paul was chosen for the Gentiles, it was actually Peter who was the first to preach to a Gentile family(Cornelius). So because Peter and Paul had different audiences, their teachings and what they preached on were not always the same. Concerning baptism and salvation though, both were identical: baptism by immersion of water in the name of Jesus Christ and that ALL men are given the chance to receive salvation.
Acts 9:16 "for I will show him how great he must suffer for my names sake." Paul seems to have suffered the most persecution.
Matthew 14:28-31 Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." Peter's devotion, like many of us, were at times impulsive.
Galatians 2:7-8 "for he that wrought effectually in Peter to the Apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles." The disciples perceived that Paul had been Divinely entrusted with the Gospel to the gentiles and Peter was entrusted with the Gospel to the Jews.
Peter emphasizes repentance and baptism:
Acts 2:38 "repent, and be baptized"
Mark 16:16 "he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved"
Mark 1:4 "preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins"
1 Peter 3:21 "baptism doth also now save us"
Paul emphasizes grace and faith:
Acts 16:31 "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved"
Romans 4:1-5 "to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt"
Romans 3:22 "the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe"
Final Thoughts
Peter and Paul's preaching styles and their teachings had to be a bit different because of the culture of the audiences. A Jewish audience for Peter and a Gentile audience for Paul. Peter's learning experience came from an eyewitness account of Jesus on earth, while Paul's learning was more inspired, faith based from when Jesus ascended and glorified from Heaven. Its very important to understand that their teachings never contradicted each other. Their message concerning baptism and salvation ran parallel with each others.
Acts 9:16 "for I will show him how great he must suffer for my names sake." Paul seems to have suffered the most persecution.
Matthew 14:28-31 Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." Peter's devotion, like many of us, were at times impulsive.
Galatians 2:7-8 "for he that wrought effectually in Peter to the Apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles." The disciples perceived that Paul had been Divinely entrusted with the Gospel to the gentiles and Peter was entrusted with the Gospel to the Jews.
Peter emphasizes repentance and baptism:
Acts 2:38 "repent, and be baptized"
Mark 16:16 "he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved"
Mark 1:4 "preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins"
1 Peter 3:21 "baptism doth also now save us"
Paul emphasizes grace and faith:
Acts 16:31 "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved"
Romans 4:1-5 "to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt"
Romans 3:22 "the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe"
Final Thoughts
Peter and Paul's preaching styles and their teachings had to be a bit different because of the culture of the audiences. A Jewish audience for Peter and a Gentile audience for Paul. Peter's learning experience came from an eyewitness account of Jesus on earth, while Paul's learning was more inspired, faith based from when Jesus ascended and glorified from Heaven. Its very important to understand that their teachings never contradicted each other. Their message concerning baptism and salvation ran parallel with each others.