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When Paul the Apostle referred to the pillars of the early Church (Gal 2:9), he brought attention to the leadership in Jerusalem that supported the spread of the gospel. While Paul identified Peter, John, and James, they all had charge to build a growing body of believers to become discipled and add to the Church throughout Jerusalem, Israel, and the Gentile world. Together they sought to fulfill the commission of the Lord and that they must follow the Lord’s instructions concerning the development of the Kingdom of God until His return. The charge was to go to “all the nations (Matt 28:19).”

Introduction

The apostles individually, and by integrated effort, would extend Christ’s life within those who would seek Him and learn of Him (Matt 11:28-29). While the pillars of the Church were specifically called to accomplish God’s purposes, it was also with Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, who built upon the foundational work of Peter, John, and James. The interconnected roles of Peter, James, and Paul were distinct yet complimentary. There was a certain symmetry to their individual and functional roles corresponding to Christ’s commission. Specifically, to Jerusalem, all of Israel, and the known world. Appointed were individuals by authority and status to carry out Christ’s mission to spread the gospel and disciple people according to His purposes.

The Role of James, Brother of Jesus

James, the brother of Jesus, was the Jerusalem Church leader in the middle of the first century.¹ He was instrumental at the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:1-35) to resolve disputes among Jewish and Gentile believers concerning traditions and stipulations around Judaic law. While Paul referred to James as a pillar of the Church, he was reliant upon his support with issues concerning Peter’s internal conflict about fellowship with Gentile believers. The confrontation between Paul and Peter had to become resolved through some form of intervention to protect and support unity. A unity that was necessary for the advancement of the gospel and the Church to include Jews and Gentiles.

James served as a mediator who called attention to Scripture in his defense of Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles (Acts 15:15-17).² In a convincing fashion, James refers to Amos 9:11-12 where the Gentiles magnified the glory of God and would seek the Lord. To provide scriptural support for his judgment that works of the law should not burden Gentiles who turn to God as they are justified by faith as written by Paul in his letter to the Galatians (Gal 2:15-16). In contrast to Peter’s preferences, fears, or pressures, James offered a reasonable truth-centered position at the church in Jerusalem about the relationship between Jews and Gentiles. Especially in Antioch and throughout the Mediterranean world because of the roots of Christianity stemming from Judaism.³ In unity, the resolution brought about a favorable outcome to emerge ministry focus areas of Peter and Paul. To the Jews first and then to the Gentiles as missionary recruitment efforts were not to be stymied by works of the law or requirements coming from Jewish believers, especially around circumcision (Gal 6:16, 1 Cor 7:17-20, Col 2:8-12, Phil 3:1-3).

The Role of Peter, the Apostle

Peter is largely known as the apostle to the Jews. Foundational to the Church itself in Jerusalem, Peter was declared the rock in which it was built (Matt 16:18). In a close relationship with Jesus, he confessed that the Lord was the messiah (Matt 16:13-20) to infer by recognition enormous ramifications about what that meant to the Hebrew people. Jesus would build His Church upon Peter and God the Father revealed to Peter what that meant through his confession (Matt 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-30, Luke 9:18-20). It earlier became evident that the assembly of Jewish believers from Pentecost to the Churches in Judea and Samaria grew in size and maturity from his apostolic leadership.

Also revealed to Peter was the gift of salvation belonging to the Gentiles. In his report to the apostles concerning his visit with Cornelius, the Roman centurion, it becomes clear that his views were conformed to the mission appointed to the Church (Acts 10:18). Specifically, Peter witnessed the Holy Spirit filling the household of Cornelius. This event cemented Peter’s perspective about the gospel for the Gentiles, which aligned with what James and Paul spoke and wrote about. Even with Peter’s unstable character with respect to his role within the Church,⁵ his temporary withdrawal from Gentile fellowship for social, reputation, or safety reasons did not go unnoticed as he was subjected to Paul’s correction concerning the wavering acceptance of Gentiles while in fear of unfavorable and harmful impressions or reprisals from Jews having some authority (Gal 2:11-14). In comparison, it was not by a conflict of interest with Paul and other believers that Peter withdraws from the Gentiles, but merely from a desire to distinguish himself.

Peter loved Paul as affirmed in his letter to the Church (2 Pet 3:15). Even in conflict between the two apostles, he demonstrated what it was to support fellow leadership, including James, the brother of Jesus.

The Role of Paul, the Apostle

In contrast to Peter, the apostle and shepherd of the Jewish believers, Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. Replete throughout Scripture is Paul’s thoughts and character to illustrate the kind of servant of Christ he was. He was a man who possessed a high degree of self-confidence who exerted his authority over other church leaders (Phlm 1:17-21). He held to his convictions and asserted bold positions (Rom 15:15) while calling out hypocrisy and poor behaviors (Gal 2:11-14). Paul was a man who declared himself as an apostle from his witness of the risen Lord (1 Cor 9:1) and his calling to work for the Kingdom. He specifically drew attention to his status on par with the other “chief apostles” or “those overmuch apostles” to counter false teachings in the emerging Church. Precisely, by leaning on his authority as a matter of comparison to delivering instructions among believers that carry much more weight. ⁷

Paul’s actions through his missionary travel to reach Gentiles for the Kingdom, develop the Church, and produce Scripture sets his place in historical Christianity as among those in the highest regard. From him and his missionary journeys, today, we see the fruit of his efforts throughout the modern Gentile world by the “word and deed” of nations (Rom 15:18).⁸

Citations

¹ Eusebius Pamphili, Paul Maier, Eusebius — The Church History (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1999), 57.
² Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church (Grand Rapids: WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1996), 344.
³ Henry T. Sell, Studies in the Early Christian Church (Emeryville, CA: Franklin Classics, 2013).
⁴ Stephen Pressley, “The Church as Apostolic.” In Lexham Survey of Theology, by Brannon Ellis, & Mark Ward. (Bellingham: Lexham Press, 2018).
⁵ D.A. Carson, Biblical Interpretation and the Church (Milton Keyes, UK: Paternoster Press, 1984), 57.
⁶ Jason Gish, “Peter in the Letters – Galatians, 1 Corinthians, 1 Peter.” Lexham Bible Dictionary, by John D. Barry (Bellingham: Lexham Press, 2016).
⁷ Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 2 Cor 11:5, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
⁸ Don Garlington, Studies in the New Perspective on Paul: Essays and Reviews (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2008), 37.

Bibliography

Carson, D.A. Biblical Interpretation and the Church: Text and Context. Milton Keynes: Paternoster Press, 1984.
David Brown, A.R. Fausset, Bobby Jamieson. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 2 Cor 11:5. Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, 1997.
Garlington, Don. Studies in the New Perspective on Paul: Essays and Reviews. Eugene: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2008.
Gish, Jason, and John D. Barry. Peter in the Letters, Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham: Lexham Press, 2016.
Pamphili, Eusebius, and Paul Maier. Eusebius, The Church History. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1999.
Pressley, Stephen. “The Church as Apostolic.” In Lexham Survey of Theology, by Brannon Ellis, & Mark Ward. Bellingham: Lexham Press, 2018.
Schaff, Philip, and David Schley. History of the Christian Church. Grand Rapids: WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1996.
Sell, Henry T. Studies in Early Church History, Jerusalem to Antioch. Emeryville: Franklin Classics Trade Press, 2013.