It appears that the Apostle Peter is the first to minister to Gentiles in Acts 10?

QUESTION:

It appears that the Apostle Peter is the first to minister to Gentiles in Acts 10, not Paul. So, how can Peter therefore be identified as an apostle “only” to the circumcision? I’m not convinced that “only” Paul was tasked with that ministry.

ANSWER:

Thanks for this question. We need to understand this scenario in the correct dispensational context. Let me provide some guidance.

The first thing to remember is that the WHOLE book of Acts is a book that documents the transition from Kingdom to Grace, from Jews to Gentiles, and from Prophecy to Mystery. In the beginning of Acts, we are entirely immersed in the Kingdom and prophecy for the Jews. At the end of Acts, we are completely immersed in the Grace and mystery for all nations. The middle sections are how this transition evolved from the one to the other. Consider the value of the book of Acts in another way. Think of the 4-Gospels, Matthew to John. They are all about Jesus and the coming Kingdom. Acts is the book that guides the reader systematically from these four Kingdom orientated gospels to Paul’s doctrine in Romans. We have a smooth transition due to Acts. But now, remove Acts and give a reader the 4-Gospels, followed immediately by Romans. Suddenly you have shifted from the Kingdom and the life of Jesus for the Jews to a Grace program for the Gentiles. How did one get from the one to the other? There appears to be a big gap of missing info. Acts has a very unique role in the bible to help a person transition into Paul’s ministry and doctrine.

Q-A: Did Paul commit the unforgivable sin?

Before we can answer this question, lets review the scripture passage that mentions the unforgivable sin. We find it in Matthew's gospel where Jesus is speaking,

Matthew 12:30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. 31 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

Paul, The First into a New Program

Paul, The First into a New Program

It is incredibly important to understand God's Word in the right context, and this is greatly supported by identifying periods of time, being aware of patterns or nuances, recognizing people groups and changes in program or instruction throughout the Bible. The example below is one such instance where, based on what Paul says, "that IN ME first...as a pattern...", it could be a bit confusing what he means by it! We have to dig in deeper and analyze why Paul said this and understand it in context with right division in the Word.