Pauls authority

[QuickCat]

I can see from what you posted you have a good understanding of scripture. However, I would add that what Paul was saying was that he understood the gospel and by his preaching it he did not give a different one than that of Peter and those who were with Him during his life on earth. IE, Paul was preaching the same gospel as revealed to the other apostles because “they added nothing” to what he was saying. I can not be certain that it was Paul that gave the introduction of the “Body of Christ”, but it was him that first wrote about it. If you believe that writing about it constitutes first knowing about it that is OK with me, but I reserve judgement.

Peter did stay in Israel to work with those there (Jews) and Paul was a bishop at large. Paul went to the Mediteranean areas but always went to the temple to preach first because he owed it to the Jews who were first called. It was a matter of justice for him to do that. After the Jews in the temple would refuse to listen and believe then he went to the gentiles (Rom 2:10) in each city he visited.

You are right about baptism and the cleansing rituals. They had passages in Ezekiel also espesiclly in the beginning of ch 47.
mdcpensive1

If you will study Peter’s 5 speeches in early Acts you will discover that he preached the cross as bad news. He is speaking only to Israel and he accuses them of “murdering” their Messiah. Actually, Paul is the first one to preach the cross as good news. Peter’s burden was the “gospel of the kingdom” for Israel, while Paul’s was the preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery. He calls the gospel of the grace of God “my gospel,” the “gospel that I preach,” etc. It was quite different from Peter’s kingdom gospel. Can you find Peter preaching 1 Cor. 15:1-4 in Acts?
Grace and Peace,
QC

 

[mdcpensive1]

If you will study Peter’s 5 speeches in early Acts you will discover that he preached the cross as bad news. He is speaking only to Israel and he accuses them of “murdering” their Messiah. Actually, Paul is the first one to preach the cross as good news. Peter’s burden was the “gospel of the kingdom” for Israel, while Paul’s was the preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery. He calls the gospel of the grace of God “my gospel,” the “gospel that I preach,” etc. It was quite different from Peter’s kingdom gospel. Can you find Peter preaching 1 Cor. 15:1-4 in Acts?
Grace and Peace,
QC

Good to hear from you and that you are close to where I live. (sort of)
When you think of it it can be said of many of the things that happened in the life of Christ and the building of the Church can be seen as both good and bad. Christ died (bad) but rose from the dead (good). One could not happen without the other. The saints were martyred (bad) they showed us how to live and die and their blood grew the Church (good).
You have to remember that each apostle talked to different audiences and told the truth in different ways. Paul said the gospel he preached is the true one because of the Judaizers at the time telling people different things.
Grace and peace also, mdcpensive1