Designer parallels

There’s an absolute fascinating symmetry between Peter and Paul in the Book of Acts, which is divided into two sections. The first 12 chapters focus on Peter and the ministry of the apostles and the last half (chapters 13-2) focuses on Paul.

In the first section, the center of activity is Jerusalem and they apostles move out to Samaria. In the other section, the center of activity is Antioch and Paul finally winds up in Rome. In the first section, chapter 12 ends with God’s judgment on Herod. The second section ends with God’s judgment on Israel.

Jordan says, “It’s a standard thing in the Bible for someone who is a minister. Moses ministered to Israel and then when he died, Joshua took his place. Elijah ministers to Israel and when he goes off, his mantle falls on Elisha. Joshua carries on what Moses does just like Elisha carries on what Elijah does.

“Jesus Christ has His ministry and goes away and Luke tells you that Peter and the 12 carry on His ministry and He works through Peter to carry it on but the nation Israel refuses it and so then the Lord Jesus Christ chooses another minister, the Apostle Paul, to replace that ministry and Luke in his book demonstrates that so clearly.

*****

“I’ve got 24 parallels that demonstrate what Peter does in early Acts Paul does exactly the same. You know, when Paul said, ‘I’m not a chief whit behind the very chiefest apostles,’ everything Peter does Luke says Paul did it. Don’t tell me it isn’t by design. You know what that tells you? You’ve got an absolute equality and independent apostleship over here in Paul and he completely replaces what was there before him.

“Peter received a new name (John 1:42). Paul was called Saul and he got a new name (Acts 13). Peter was ‘baptized by the Spirit’ in Acts 2. Paul was ‘separated by the Spirit’ (Acts 13). Peter was thought to be drunk (Acts 2). Paul was thought to be mad (Acts 26). Peter’s first sermon in Acts 2 is almost balanced out perfectly like Paul’s first sermon in Acts 13.

“Peter heals a lame man (Acts 3) and Paul heals a lame man in Acts 14. Peter strikes with death in Acts 5 and Paul strikes with blindness in Acts 13. Peter’s first miracle was a dispensational miracle (Acts 3) and Paul’s first miracle was a dispensational miracle (Acts 13).

“Peter repudiates silver and gold in Acts 3 and Paul repudiates silver and gold in Acts 20. Peter’s arrested in Acts 4 and Paul’s arrested. Peter stands before the counsel in Acts 4 and Paul stands before the counsel in Acts 23. Peter’s action produces fear (Acts 5) and Paul’s action produces fear (Acts 19). Peter’s shadow had healing virtue in it and Paul’s body gave even handkerchiefs healing virtue (Acts 19).

“Peter benefits by the liberality of Gamaliel; Paul benefits by the liberality of Gallio at Corinth in Acts 18. Peter communicates the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands in Acts 8; Paul communicates the Holy Spirit by the laying on of his hand…

“You see how this is working?! I back off and look at that and say, ‘Wow! That fascinates me!’ Don’t let anybody come along and say, ‘We’re robbing peter to pay Paul!’ Horse feathers!

"Everything Pete had God gave Paul something else. And that isn’t the half of it. I’m going to show you another one comparing Luke’s gospel and the Book of Acts where what Christ does shows up almost in the same words in Paul. That’s why Luke’s important, see?

*****

“Peter condemned Simon Marcus, the sorcerer, in Acts 8; Paul condemned Bar Jesus, the sorcerer, in Acts 13. Peter raises Dorcas from the dead; Paul raises Uticus from the dead. Peter’s first Gentile convert had a Latin name, Cornelius; Paul’s first Gentile convert had a Latin name, Paul (Acts 13).

“Peter, at mid-day, has a vision and hears a voice; Paul at mid-day has a vision and hears a voice (Acts 9). Peter is almost worshipped by Cornelius; Paul is almost worshipped in Acts 14 by the Lyconians. Peter’s delivered from prison by an angel; Paul’s delivered from prison by an earthquake. Peter goes immediately to the house of Mary; Paul goes immediately to the house of Lydia. Peter said he was ready for prison and death for the Lord’s sake; Paul said the same.

“Peter was not taught by flesh and blood; Paul ‘conferred not with flesh and blood.’ Peter winds up in Babylon; Paul winds up in Rome.

“I read that and I say, ‘Bless God, hallelujah!’ There isn’t any man you ever met could write a book with all that and intertwine it all together. But, you know, not only is there an equality where Paul perfectly replaces Peter, there’s a thing here about the Lord and His servant Paul . . .”

(To be continued)