Yes, indeed, they are one in the same! Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, came to earth and became the perfect sacrifice for both Jews and Gentiles. There is one body, one Spirit, one faith, one baptism, and one Almighty God and Father over all! But, interestingly, God gave Paul and Peter very specific assignments in spreading that news. Take a look…

"On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. But he became hungry and was desiring to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance; and he saw the sky opened up..." (Acts 10:9-11). Throughout the New Testament, it's Paul—not Peter—who is the apostle to the Gentiles (see Acts 9:15; Rom 11:13-14; Gal 1:15-16; Eph 3:1-12). According to the timeline of Acts, Paul was already a believer (Acts 9:1-29) when God gave this vision to Peter. So why in the world did God call Peter, the apostle to the Jewish people (Gal 2:8), to be the first one to bring the gospel to the Gentiles? There is one simple reason: that way, no one could ever accuse Paul of starting a new religion! Paul's gospel to the Gentiles (salvation by faith alone) was the exact same gospel being preached to the Jewish people by the twelve apostles. There is no such thing as a Jewish church, and a Gentile church; nor is there such a thing as a Jewish gospel, and a Gentile gospel. "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all" (Eph 4:4-6).

Carry that truth with you today and meditate upon it!

Special thanks to our friends at One for Israel for wonderful food for thought!