Peter was given the keys to the kingdom and present when each of the 3 person groups (Jews, Gentiles, and Samaritans) first received the Holy Spirit.3
Although Paul is commissioned as the apostle to the Gentiles in Acts 9, it is Peter who first takes the gospel to the Gentiles in Acts 10. Why? Because it is Peter who has the keys to the kingdom.4
Neither Scripture nor experience will warrant us to affirm, that a work or imposture of man will always come speedily to nought, or that a work of God will always prosper, whatever obstacles are opposed to it; for although there is no want of power to remove those obstacles, yet reasons, unknown to us, may induce him not to exert it. Christianity itself has, in some instances, been overthrown by the united activity of error and force. I appeal for proof to those countries, in which there was once many flourishing Churches, but Mahometanism [Islam] is now the established religion. The reformation from popery is regarded by every protestant as a work of God; but it was successfully resisted in some nations of Europe, in which it had met with a favourable reception, and promised ultimately to prevail. On the other hand, we can produce works undoubtedly not of God, of which the success has been extensive and permanent [e.g., Mormonism].8
Endnotes:
1. | NKJV, Acts 5:12-42 |
2. | Concerning Peter’s role and the keys to the kingdom, see Mat. 16:19; Acts 2:14; Acts 8:14; Acts 10:44; Acts 15:14. |
3. | Ref-0100, Tape 10:B |
4. | Ref-0100, Tape 10:B |
5. | Ref-0100, Tape 1:A/B |
6. | Ref-0038, 2:349b |
7. | “(1) Both healed a lame man, Peter (Acts 3:6-7), Paul (Acts 14:8-10). (2) Both heal through indirect media, Peter via a shadow (Acts 5:15), Paul via handkerchiefs (Acts 19:11-12). (3) Both impart the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands, Peter (Acts 8:14-17), Paul (Acts 19:6). (4) Both oppose a sorcerer, Peter (Acts 8:20), Paul (Acts 13:6-12). (5) Both were worshiped, Peter (Acts 10:25), Paul (Acts 14:11-13). (6) Both miraculously released from prison, Peter (Acts 12:7-11), Paul (Acts 16:26-29). (7) Both raised the dead, Peter (Acts 9:36-42), Paul (Acts 20:9-12). (8) Both rendered swift judgment, Peter (Acts 5:4-5,Acts 5:9-10), Paul (Acts 13:11). (9) Both have one complete sermon recorded by Luke, Peter (Acts 2:14-40), Paul (Acts 13:16-41) (10) Both entrusted with gospel to people groups, Peter to Jews (Gal. 2:7-8), Paul to Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Gal. 2:7-8). What Peter did by apostolic authority so did Paul — this authenticates his apostolic authority (2Cor. 11:5, 2Cor. 11:12:2Cor. 11:11-12).”5 See also Stanley Toussaint's chart.6 |
8. | Ref-0826, The Counsel of Gamaliel |
Sources:
NKJV | Unless indicated otherwise, all Scripture references are from the New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. |
Ref-0038 | John Walvoord and Roy. B. Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary (Wheaton, IL: SP Publications, 1983). |
Ref-0100 | Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Book of Acts (GB-325) (Fort Worth, TX: Tyndale Theological Seminary, n.d.). [www.tyndale.edu]. |
Ref-0826 | John Dick, Acts of the Apostles (New York, NY: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1857). |