continued...
You may have a point as far as the galatians passage is concerned. However it is evident from other scripture that Peter did in fact misunderstood God's plan of salvation to the gentiles as well as Jesus ministry on earth. Take a look at Acts 10 ( my other example)...it says
"9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."
14"Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
15The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."
16This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
17While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. 18They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three[1] men are looking for you. 20So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them."
21Peter went down and said to the men, "I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?"
22The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say." 23Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
Peter at Cornelius' House
24The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself."
27Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?"
30Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' 33So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."
34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. "
In the first couple of verses Peter will not eat the "unclean food" because of dietary laws. This clearly shows that Peter still saw a distinction between Jews and Gentiles. And then in the last verse that I list Peter admits that he did not understand that "God does not show favoritism". Peter did in fact think that salvation was only for the Jews. As did most Jews.
Not only that it also says in the gospels right after Peter makes the "good confession" that Peter takes Jesus to the side and rebukes him...
21From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"
23Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
You see Peter, like the other apostles, thought that Jesus was going to eventually take over. He did not understand Isaiah 53. Peter had misconceptions about the Messiah because of the way he was brought up. Almost every Jew did. Their greatest dream was of a Messiah that would liberate them from roman rule. They misunderstood this part of God's plan.
In conclusion...Peter did not have it all figured out. He had misconceptions about Jesus as Messiah and about God's plan of salvation. And he did in fact teach before those misconceptions were cleared up. In Acts chapter 2 Peter preaches on the day of Pentecost. But he is still under the assumption that only Jews will be saved. Therefore I do not beleive that anyone should have to know it all in order to teach. If that were the case then not even you or I could teach Jeff. I hope this clears up what I meant
ac
"9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."
14"Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
15The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."
16This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
17While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. 18They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three[1] men are looking for you. 20So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them."
21Peter went down and said to the men, "I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?"
22The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say." 23Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
Peter at Cornelius' House
24The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself."
27Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?"
30Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' 33So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."
34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. "
In the first couple of verses Peter will not eat the "unclean food" because of dietary laws. This clearly shows that Peter still saw a distinction between Jews and Gentiles. And then in the last verse that I list Peter admits that he did not understand that "God does not show favoritism". Peter did in fact think that salvation was only for the Jews. As did most Jews.
Not only that it also says in the gospels right after Peter makes the "good confession" that Peter takes Jesus to the side and rebukes him...
21From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"
23Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
You see Peter, like the other apostles, thought that Jesus was going to eventually take over. He did not understand Isaiah 53. Peter had misconceptions about the Messiah because of the way he was brought up. Almost every Jew did. Their greatest dream was of a Messiah that would liberate them from roman rule. They misunderstood this part of God's plan.
In conclusion...Peter did not have it all figured out. He had misconceptions about Jesus as Messiah and about God's plan of salvation. And he did in fact teach before those misconceptions were cleared up. In Acts chapter 2 Peter preaches on the day of Pentecost. But he is still under the assumption that only Jews will be saved. Therefore I do not beleive that anyone should have to know it all in order to teach. If that were the case then not even you or I could teach Jeff. I hope this clears up what I meant
ac