2:8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Ga 2:8). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Both Paul and Peter served as key leaders in the advancement of the Gospel following the ministry of Christ. This in no way minimizes the work of the remaining apostles or other evangelists. However, it does serve as a call to leadership. In Catholic tradition, June 29 celebrates both of these leaders; as traditionally that is the date they were both executed.
It is interesting to note that while the Gospel was available to all, God gave Peter and Paul different focuses in their ministry. In modern day, there is often divisions in the church when one pastor or group chooses to focus on a target area that differs from another. We should be cautious against being critical of others who choose to “do ministry” a different way. The message must be of Christ, crucified, risen, and coming again. If God’s Word is held in highest regard, and the message of the Gospel is not altered, then there should be freedom to follow God’s call in the focused efforts to target specific people groups.
Another interesting thing to note in this passage, is that much of Galatians 2 has been paralleling the accounts of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. The accounts of Peter seem to drift off following the Council and much of the attention moved to Paul. This does not imply that Peter was no long effective. It does emphasize the significance of the Gospel message being spread to unreached people groups. For you and I today, we must be aware of the unreached people groups around the globe and should do all we can to go and send Gospel curriers to the ends of the earth.
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