iChaplain

A Simple Question with a Complicated Answer When people think about Peter and Paul, they often picture two of the most influential figures in the early Church, united in their mission to share the message of Jesus.  Yet when we look more closely at the Bible, the relationship between Peter and Paul seems more complex than a simple friendship story. Were they best mates? Probably not. They came from very different backgrounds. Peter was a fisherman, called by Jesus while working on his boat (Luke 5:1–11). He was passionate, courageous and often impulsive. Paul was a Pharisee, highly educated and deeply knowledgeable about law. His encounter with Jesus came dramatically on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19). Not only were they different, but they sometimes disagreed. Paul even writes about challenging Peter over an important issue in the early Church (Galatians 2:11–14). Yet despite their differences, they remained united.  In many ways, that might be more impressive than friend...