This is one of a few sermons that has turned into a short series of sermons - showing more of our direction here at Touchet.  Once again, I believe we are blessed here by NOT having a formal Bible education to follow - just a simple faith and trust in the KJB has allowed God to continue to steer us within this little church.

In regards to that heretical piece of jewelry and money-making modern Christian symbol based on the mentality of modern Christianity, What Would Jesus Do, we should know that it really doesn't matter what Jesus would do in any specific situations these days.  In fact, the question is not even what Peter would do, or Mary either!  The question should be, What Would Paul Do!

If you have to ask 'why' we would ask WWPD instead of WWJD, may I suggest you look at a few of the following 'notes' from the past sermon, while you listen to the audio version of that particular sermon.

Why would I say that?  Well, it sure does seem that most Christians think they need to claim Acts 2:38 as their salvation doctrine.  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

In fact, the entire Catholic faith supposedly is based on Peter as their first pope.  That would also explain why folks today believe that they should follow Jesus and his teachings as recorded in the gospels.  This would then 'really' explain why folks are so messed up with today's modern Beatitudinal mentality.

When most people start to read their "bible", they usually don't get very far; in fact, most just read up to the Gospels and ignore the rest claiming they don't understand it all.  The result then is for them to purchase a newer "more understandable" modern bible version and then put their itching ears to their "modern scholarly educated Greek/Hebrew trained" pastor and let him (her - it) teach the teachings of Jesus according to the Gospels thus making them 'feel' like they are a good Christian following Jesus' teachings!

Keep in mind as you read this sermon, Acts is a transitional book.  We go from Jew to Gentile; Jerusalem to Rome; Law to Grace; and Peter to Paul!

• According to Matthew 10:5-7, Peter, as were the rest of the twelve, was an apostle to Jews only. He preached the gospel of the kingdom, not the kingdom of God as we know it in the NT.  These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.  In his early years and through the first part of Acts, Peter did NOT have a message for the Gentiles or us today!
• Knowing how people today falsely consider miracles and the works & wonders of the apostles, Peter certainly did his share of miracles - even people had hoped that his shadow would heal folks!  Acts 5:15Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
• Peter, along with many the many other spokesmen of God, is NOT God's spokesman for today.  (We don't follow Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Solomon, John the Baptist, the Apostles - including Peter, nor will be follow the two witnesses in the Tribulation or the 144,000, etc.)  They are in the 'past' or in the 'future' when it comes to doctrinal issues.  Remember, the entire Bible is 'for' everyone but not 'to' everyone.  And the stuff from these fellas, including Peter, is not TO us!  Peter is the spokesman for the Catholic Church however, which makes him the spokesman to the modern ecumenical Christians today - but remember, he is a FALSE spokesman!
• In fact, Jesus is not even our spokesman for today!  His 'target' was the lost sheep of Israel. Matthew 10:5,6  These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:   But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Romans 10:21But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.  Jesus' teachings in the Gospels were geared to the Jews - if they had accepted Him as their Messiah.  They killed Him instead - thus the teachings in the Gospels will become the 'constitution' when He is on the earth again - however, this time He will enforce those teachings!  That is what the Millennium is all about.  Unfortunately, most 'modern' Christians follow those teachings today - I call them Beatitudinal Christians and a simple reading of the Sermon on the Mount should them that they can NOT live that sermon completely today - no way, not at all - not even close!  The stuff in the Sermon on the Mount actually contradicts Paul's teachings in everything from salvation to doctrinal belief!  You would think folks would see this - but like Jesus said of them, ye err not knowing the Scriptures...
• Just like modern Christians of today, (which is the ecumenical bunch of modern Christians who are trying to get everybody back onto the mother ship of Catholicism), Peter tried to rebuke Christ Himself (Matthew 16:21-23); Peter tried to fight the battle physically (John 18:10); and really didn't understand the 'new gospel message' - otherwise known as the TRUTH (Luke 24:12)!
• In fact, most people today are not trying to 'follow' Peter or Jesus or anybody; they are trying to 'imitate' them.  See any modern version and you will see that they are told to imitate, not follow!  The devil is the great imitator - he said he was going to like the most high - and so will his followers, thus will his perverted bibles teach that false doctrine command.
• Now, in order to stay clear of the Hyper-dispensational claim, we must note that Peter did eventually catch on to the truth - Paul eventually did teach him the truth!  See Acts 10; 11:15-18; 15  Paul even had to rebuke Peter to get him to wise up to the truth!  See Galatians 2:11-16.  So there are NOT two gospels being preached from Peter and Paul, as the Hypers claim.  Peter eventually preached the same gospel that Paul preached!  Once again, we see the importance of knowing that Acts is a transition book, not a book for today's doctrine.
• So the first stuff that Peter preached was the gospel of the circumcision, then that is what most people today still cling to as they really just think they should go back to the teachings of Jesus - but remember, those were teachings geared to the Jews, not to the Gentiles nor the church of God, etc. Galatians 2:7,8 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

So now, let's consider the proper place of Paul in today's New Testament Christianity:

• He is our one and only apostle.  Jesus really came to be the Messiah to the Jews!  But as they killed Him, we now are the 'target' from God.  We are those whom God called 'not a people', a 'foolish nation.'  See Romans 10:19; 11:11.
• Jesus sends us our own apostle to follow - Paul!  Romans 11:13 - For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: I Corinthians 11:1,2 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.  I Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
• Paul has laid the right foundation for us - According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.  I Corinthians 3:10
• Paul has the gospel for us today - Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:  I Corinthians 15:1-4
• The Apostle Paul's writings minister the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel to the Gentile world so that we may be acceptable and sanctified. Romans 15:16That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
• The Apostle Paul instructs us how to live as Christians. He instructs us to do those things we have learned, received, heard, and seen him do. Without considering the scriptures that Paul has penned, how can the Church Age saint obey this command?  It certainly will bring in the close fellowship with God Himself!  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.  Philippians 4:9
• Paul's particular position as spokesman of the Church Age also included a calling to serve as the example for the Church Age Christian. For this reason, Paul tells us that we receive from him instructions concerning how we should walk and please God.  Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.  I Thessalonians 4: 1
• Because Paul beseeches us to be followers of him; because he declares the Gospel of the Grace of God and because he even tells us how to walk so that we may please God, it should come as no surprise when Paul makes the next statement: Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.  II Timothy 2: 7
• Paul shows us the pattern to live by. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.  I Timothy 1:16

If you want to understand the differences associated with the various instructions given in the scriptures (sometimes referred to as "contradictions"), then we must consider what Paul says - any instructions contradicting his writings apply to a group other than the Church - other than the Christian today.

Paul even claims that by him the preaching is fully known so that the Gentiles might hear God's instructions to them. II Timothy 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

Any confusion within Christianity these days can be cleared up through systematic & rightly divided Bible study (II Timothy 2:15).

Simply put, the student must recognize that Peter ministered primarily to the Jews while Paul's ministry was primarily to the Gentiles (those of us living in the Church Age). This truth should make a difference in how you walk, talk, and think; and should help you walk, talk and think in a manner that truly pleases God Himself (and knowing these days, pleasing God 'only'!)!