We celebrated St. Peter and St. Paul’s Day on the 29th of June with a joint service with the Petrus Paulus, our host congregation. The service not only brought together two different traditions but also incorporated different ways of celebrating the Lord’s table. The day raised an important question- what is the significance of the feasts of Peter and Paul being celebrated together by the Church. Though it was Peter who became the Pope the early fathers did not want to sideline the equally significant role of Paul in the formation of the church.
There are three insights from our deliberations that I would want to bring for further thought and discussion.
It is fine to have difference of opinions
Though you might have strong difference of opinions in certain aspects of faith and practice, posterity could celebrate you together. Having different viewpoints is fine as far as you can work together. Peter and Paul were very different personalities. One a Galilean and the other a Roman from Tarsus. One a fisherman, the other a scholarly tentmaker. One tried to build a bridge between Jesus movement and the Jews while the other wanted to take the gospel to all the world. One whose ministry was confined to Palestine and its suburbs while the other dared travel across as a missionary with the gospel, planting churches. One gave the pastoral basis for the new movement while the other in his writings gave the philosophical and teleological clarity for the new movement. They had significant difference of opinion on cultural practices like the circumcision. While those including Peter insisted that early converts from outside the Jewish fold should be circumcised others like Paul vehemently opposed it saying that it is against the understanding of grace. Peter and Paul were two different personalities, yet we celebrate them together affirming that holding divergent views could be complementary to the totality of faith.
Difference of opinions can be resolved through open conversations
The second lesson from both together is that difference of opinion can be resolved through dialogue. In the Bible Paul and Peter meets together at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. Despite having different views on the issue of practices like the circumcision they were willing for an open dialogue and debate. Key personalities including Paul, Peter, Barnabas, James and others were present. After the Acts 10 episode with Cornelius Peter was clear that God made no distinction between the Jew and the Gentile. Paul and Barnabas affirmed that the same miracles did happen with non-Jews as with Jews. James brought in the scriptural perspective talking about Amos 9:11-12 that there is no outsider in God’s plan. The leaders in prayer search a spirit-led consensus. There was no voting to find who had the majority nor was there any cajoling towards one view. They allowed the Holy Spirit to guide them to a consensus. While they agreed that circumcision need not be insisted on the discussions had the pastoral sensitivity to respect both parties and ensured that the core of the faith is not affected. Judas and Silas were given a letter which was a clear communique on the outcome of the deliberations so that everybody could be on board. At the end of the day, it was celebration of unity in joy.
In a context where war and violence are resorted to resolve conflicts this model of consensus is something we need to ponder deeper. This episode also reminds us that democracy is not just about majority but the sensitivity to understand the inner yearnings of ALL. The church must understand deeper the great possibilities of this Spirit directed consensus.
Difference of Opinions need not bring in animosity
Though they had strong and differing views it is worth noting that in 2 Peter 3:15 we read Peter writing- Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. Peter addresses Paul as a dear brother and acknowledges that he has the wisdom of God in him. To hold diametrically opposite views and yet to be able to celebrate friendship together as dear brother and sister is something we need to practice.
Paul writes in Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. There was mutual recognision of each otehrs ministry. In Galatians 2:7-9 Paul affirms that Peter was entrusted the ministry to the circumsised and he to the uncircumsised. Though they strongly opposed at times as in Galatians 2:11-14 that did not mean they could not be dear to each other as human beings.
Peter and Paul were both killed during the Nero regime. Early Roman Church decided to celebrate the feast day of Peter and Paul together on the 29th of June. Even today the new Archbishops of the Roman Church are presented with their Pallium by the Pope after the Petrus Paulos day celebration mass in Rome.
The message for us is simple- difference of opinions can be transformed to positive agents of change for the good and need not necessarily lead to breaking of relationships.
Vinod Victor
July 1, 2025
Freiburg Anglican Church 