👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾How Are the Apostles Saint #Peter and Saint #Paul #Similar?
Beloved in Christ, grace and peace be multiplied unto you from the Lord Jesus Christ. In contemplating the lives of the great pillars of our faith Saint Peter and Saint Paul, those shining luminaries of the apostolic age we are not merely engaging in historical recollection. We are beholding, with reverent eyes, the craftsmanship of God in two different vessels, molded by the same Spirit, filled with the same flame, and poured out as drink offerings upon the altar of the Lord’s Church.
Though one was a fisherman and the other a Pharisee; though one was simple and unlearned, and the other deeply trained in the Law; though one followed Christ during His earthly ministry and the other after His ascension yet both were called, transformed, and glorified by the same Lord. Let us, then, look upon their likenesses and learn how God works wonders in diverse instruments for one glorious purpose.
I. They Were Both Jews, Chosen from Among Their Own Brethren
The Lord did not gather foreigners to establish His Church, but He chose from Israel, the people of the covenant, to be the first stones in the new spiritual temple.
Saint Peter was unmistakably a Jew, as Paul testifies in Galatians 2:14, where he refers to Peter's Jewish heritage.
Saint Paul, likewise, bore the signs of Jewish identity: “Circumcised the eighth day, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews” (Philippians 3:5).
In their Jewish identity, we see the wisdom of God fulfilling the Law and the Prophets, making His messengers arise from those who knew the promises of old.
II. Both Were Called Directly by the Lord Jesus Christ
The call of God came to both men not by human mediation but by divine intervention:
Peter, while fishing by the Sea of Galilee, heard the voice of the Lord: “Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:18–19).
Paul, on the road to Damascus, encountered the risen Christ in blinding light: “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?” (Acts 9:4).
Oh, what a mystery that He who walked in flesh called one with His voice from the shore, and He who was ascended called the other with heavenly glory from above!
III. Both Had Their Names Changed by the Lord
A change of name signified a change of nature and mission:
Simon, son of Jonah, was renamed Peter a Rock upon whose confession the Church would be built (Matthew 16:17–18).
Saul, the persecutor, became Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, after his divine calling.
The name bestowed is not mere label but a divine declaration of purpose. The Lord does not call a man without making him new.
IV. Both Performed Miracles and Wonders by the Power of God
Signs and wonders followed their ministries, confirming the truth of the Gospel they preached:
Peter healed Aeneas, paralyzed for eight years, and raised Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead (Acts 9:32–41).
Paul, by God’s power, cast out demons, healed diseases through garments from his body (Acts 19:11–12), and even raised Eutychus from the dead (Acts 20:7–12).
These were not magic tricks or personal boasts they were divine attestations that the Gospel was at work through them.
V. Both Were Faithful Despite Their Differences
Here lies a most edifying mystery: though their backgrounds, education, and personal circumstances differed greatly, both served with undivided faith:
Peter was married; Paul remained unmarried.
Peter was unlearned and simple; Paul studied at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3).
Peter was called during Christ’s earthly ministry; Paul after Christ's ascension.
Yet, none of these were barriers to the Spirit of God. For God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), and He calls whom He wills, qualifies whom He calls, and glorifies whom He qualifies.
Whether early or late, married or single, learned or simple what matters is obedience, humility, and faith.
Continues 👇🏾