WHETHER IT WERE I OR THEY

[douge]

1 Corinthians 15:11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

There were some saying that there was no resurrection of the dead. Paul is saying that if there is no resurrection then their preaching is in vain. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul is recounting that the apostles all saw the risen Lord.

It is faith in the risen Lord Jesus Christ that is being preached for their salvation unto eternal life. Whether it was Peter and the other apostles or Paul that preached that Christ rose from the dead; those that heard believed. Those that believed had eternal life and were in Christ.

Peter and the eleven, along with Paul, did preach the risen Christ. However Peter preached that Christ rose to sit on the throne of David in the prophetic earthly kingdom (Acts 2:30 Revelation 5:10). Paul preached Christ risen for our justification unto eternal life (Romans 4:25).

Peter preached Christ crucified and risen to establish the new testament for Israel (Matthew 26:28 Hebrews 9:28). Paul preached that Christ died for the sins of all, rose again and justification is freely given to all who believe (Romans 4:24-25 Romans 3:24).

Romans 15:20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

Whether it was Peter or the other apostles that preached, those who believed their gospel were in Christ. Paul preached the gospel revealed to him to those who did not believe.

Romans 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

The saints mentioned by Paul were in Christ before Paul.

Galatians 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

Paul persecuted the church before he was saved. Paul did not establish the church. The chuch existed before Paul was saved and was given the mystery of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:32).

Acts 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

There was in fact, a church before the church persecuted by Paul. Stephen preached the church in the wilderness which was the assembly of Israel. In the assembly were old testament saints, a remnant who believed God (Galatians 3:6 Isaiah 1:9 Romans 9:27). These were in the Lord, and since Jesus is God, were in Christ.

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus built his church. Jesus shed his blood and rose again to establish the new testament with Israel (Jeremiah 31:31). Jesus built the new testament church of those who believed on him to eternal life; those who believed on his name; those who believed he is the Christ, the Son of God.

Jesus is the rock (Psalm 18:31 1 Corinthians 10:4 Luke 6:48). Jesus built the foundation of the church then and now upon the twelve apostles with Jesus being the chief corner stone (1 Corinthians 3:11 Ephesians 2:20).

Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Those believers were in the new testament church, the church of God.

Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Paul preached the revelations given him by Jesus (Galatians 1:12). Paul revealed the church today, the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). Those who believe Paul's gospel are in Christ, but are in the body and have become a new creature, where there is neither Jew or Gentile (2 Corinthians 5:17 Galatians 6:15). Christ is the saviour and head of the body (Ephesians 5:23).

Whether an old testament saint, Jew or Gentile; Jew or Gentile who believed Peter's preaching; or Jew or Gentile who believed Paul's preaching; they by faith are all in Christ.

　

　

　

　

[Willa]

Peter and Paul preached the same gospel.  Peter agreed with Paul's teaching.  However, Peter preached to the Jews alone in Jerusalem, except for the God fearing centurion.  Paul went first to the Jews and preached in the synagogs in the towns, and then went to the gentiles.  So he said when he spoke to the Jews he became a Jew, and when he spoke to the gentiles he became like them so that all could be saved.  He spoke to each from the perspective of his own culture.  He could debate with the philosophers and teach as well as any rabbi, yet speak the words given by the Holy Spirit as did Peter.