Bible Discussion Thread

I feel that the Apostle Peter is getting a bad rap; and that�s not fair! While I appreciate Paul and his writings and recognize him as a great teacher and prophet, I cannot help but notice that even after his conversion, God �was not finished� with him. He appears to be both, boastful (in chapter 1), and angry. Maybe, that�s what they call �righteous indignation�? The transition from Old Testament to New Testament after Christ�s ascension was a work in progress: it did not happen overnight, but lasted quite a few years. As the Holy Spirit instructed the apostles, they, in turn presented the revelations to the believers, either orally or in the written form, �growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ� ( 2 Peter 3:18). Not all apostles were �enlightened� of the same subject, or at the same time. So, we have �gaps� in time and teachings. And in the case of �circumcision� issue, (which Paul is dealing with in Galatians), the apostles had to have a �congress� at Jerusalem in order to decide what to do, as shows Acts 15. Even Paul�s speech was a work in progress� The language used in Galatians 1:8 �But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that, which we have preached unto you, LET HIM BE ACCURSED,� and Galatians 2:12 �I would they were EVEN CUT OFF which trouble you�, leaves something to be desired. Jesus says in Luke 6: �Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you�, verse 28 �BLESS THEM THAT CURSE YOU, and pray for them which despitefully use you�. Even Apostle Paul agrees with that in Romans 12:14: �Bless them which persecute you: bless, and CURSE NOT.� His statements about �James, Cephas (Peter), and John, WHO SEEMED to be pillars� in the church ( Galatians 2:9), borders on arrogance. I feel like telling him: �Paul, get a life; THEY WERE THE PILLARS OF THE CHURCH while you were persecuting it!� True, they were simple fishermen, not trained at the feet of Gamaliel like you, but they had spent three and a half years at the feet of Jesus: The Greatest Teacher of all times. And, not only that, on the Day of Pentecost they received the power of the Holy Spirit: to preach, to teach and heal. Yes, Paul was a great apostle, but Apostle John was a giant: he was not only trained by Jesus and wrote the Gospel and the Epistles that bear his name, but he received countless visions from Him and wrote the Book of Revelation. And Apostle Peter, he was entrusted with �taking care of His sheep� by Jesus Himself. Also, Paul�s boldness expressed towards Apostle Peter, was uncalled for: �But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed� ( Galatians 2:11). Basically he was blaming Peter for the troubles in Galatia. Too bad Peter had no chance to defend himself. I�m wondering how much did Paul�s criticism of Peter, help those churches� But what really takes the cake, is his advice (good advice though) in Galatians 5:13 �For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; �Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.� 15 But IF YE BITE AND DEVOUR ONE ANOTHER, take heed that ye are not consumed one of another.� Sometimes it�s good to take seriously our own advice...