𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝟮:𝟰𝟭 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝟭 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟭:𝟭𝟳–𝟭𝟴

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝟮:𝟰𝟭 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝟭 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟭:𝟭𝟳–𝟭𝟴

𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

Many Christians confuse the message and ministry of Peter in Acts 2 with Paul in 1 Corinthians 1.
Acts 2:41 describes water baptism as part of Israel’s kingdom program, while 1 Corinthians 1:17–18 reveals Paul’s grace commission, where Christ sent him not to baptize, but to preach the gospel of the cross.

Understanding this difference is crucial for right division (2 Tim. 2:15).
If we mix Israel’s program with the Body of Christ, we end up in confusion, contradiction, and corrupted doctrine.

𝟭. 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦

A. Peter’s Kingdom Commission — Baptism required (Acts 2:38).
B. Paul’s Grace Commission — Sent not to baptize (1 Cor. 1:17).
C. Clear Command Change — A dispensational shift (Gal. 2:7–9).

𝟮. 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝗨𝗥𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗦

A. Baptism for Identification — Israel identifying with Messiah (Acts 2:41).
B. Preaching for Salvation — The gospel saves without rituals (Rom. 1:16).
C. Cross for Justification — The message, not the method, is central (1 Cor. 1:18).

𝟯. 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘

A. Peter Preaching to Israel — “Men of Israel” (Acts 2:22).
B. Paul Preaching to All Nations — Jew and Gentile alike (Rom. 11:13).
C. Program for a New People — The Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).

𝟰. 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦

A. Repent and Be Baptized — Part of Israel’s prophetic expectation (Acts 2:38).
B. Believe and Be Saved — Faith alone in this dispensation (Eph. 2:8–9).
C. Redeemed Without Rituals — No physical ordinances for salvation (Col. 2:14).

𝟱. 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗬𝗠𝗕𝗢𝗟𝗦

A. Water Baptism as a Sign — A ceremonial cleansing for Israel (Ezek. 36:25).
B. Spiritual Baptism as Salvation — Baptized into Christ by the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13).
C. Sanctification Without Shadows — The Body of Christ no longer uses signs (1 Cor. 1:22).

𝟲. 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦

A. Kingdom Community Added — “About 3,000 souls added unto them” (Acts 2:41).
B. Cross-Centered Conversion — Saved by believing the gospel alone (1 Cor. 15:1–4).
C. Creation of a New Creature — Identity in Christ, not Israel (2 Cor. 5:17).

𝟳. 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡S

A. Prophetic Program in Operation — Peter fulfilling what prophets foretold (Acts 3:21).
B. Mystery Program Revealed — Paul preaching truth hidden until revealed (Eph. 3:2–9).
C. Proper Division for Proper Doctrine — Distinction prevents confusion (2 Tim. 2:15).

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍

Acts 2:41 and 1 Corinthians 1:17–18 do not teach the same message.

Peter’s message belongs to Israel’s kingdom program, while Paul’s message belongs to the dispensation of grace.

Mixing the two creates conflicting requirements, confusing doctrines, and compromised truth.

But rightly dividing them gives clarity, consistency, and confidence in the gospel of grace.

𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

Study the Scriptures with right division.
Stand firm in Paul’s gospel of grace.
Share the truth clearly—Christ alone saves today!

𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

The kingdom gospel and the grace gospel are not the same.
Water baptism belonged to Israel; the cross belongs to the Body of Christ.
Right division protects the purity, power, and precision of the gospel.