While the apostles taught a unified gospel, their individual teachings reflect distinct personalities, backgrounds, and missions. The New Testament contains multiple legitimate expressions of the same truth—Jewish and Gentile Christianity, faith and love, law and grace—all united in Christ. Peter, Paul, James, and John each present a unique doctrinal emphasis that contributes to the full harmony of apostolic witness.
Christianity, though one in essence, appears in diverse forms in the New Testament due to the varied personalities, education, and experiences of its inspired authors. Just as light refracts into many colors, so the gospel truth adapts to every class and culture. Irenaeus spoke of a fourfold Gospel; similarly, we may recognize a fourfold apostolic witness:
- James parallels the Gospel of Matthew.
- Peter corresponds to Mark.
- Paul aligns with Luke and Acts.
- John is reflected in his own Gospel and Epistles.
Jewish and Gentile Christianity
The most fundamental distinction in apostolic doctrine corresponds to the difference between Jewish Christianity and Gentile Christianity:
- Jewish Christians integrated their faith with Mosaic law and traditions.
- Gentile Christians moved directly from paganism into the gospel of grace.
Thus emerged two classes of apostles:
- Apostles of the circumcision (e.g., Peter, James)—upholding continuity with Israel’s heritage.
- Apostles of the uncircumcision (e.g., Paul)—proclaiming Christian liberty and universality.
Though tensions arose—such as the clash between Paul and Peter at Antioch (Galatians 2:11ff)—these were temporary. Ultimately, both streams merged into one catholic church. Peter represented Jewish Christianity, Paul Gentile, and John synthesized both in a higher unity at the close of the apostolic age.
Temperaments and Emphases
The apostles also differed in temperament and focus:
| Apostle | Spiritual Emphasis | Temperament (Traditional) | Corresponding Gospel |
|---|---|---|---|
| James | Law / Works | Phlegmatic (?) | Matthew |
| Peter | Hope | Sanguine | Mark |
| Paul | Faith | Choleric | Luke |
| John | Love | Melancholic | John |
Three Major Doctrinal Types
Based on this Jewish–Gentile distinction, the New Testament epistles can be classified into three doctrinal types:
- Jewish Christian – Represented chiefly by James and Peter.
- Gentile Christian – Represented by Paul.
- Ideal or Unionistic Christian – Represented by John, who integrates both perspectives.
Peter served as the oecumenical head of the Jewish Christians, while James was the local leader of the Jerusalem church. Paul’s universal mission shaped the global nature of the faith, and John, as the apostle of spiritual maturity, transcended the earlier polarities in favor of a deeply contemplative theology of Christ.
This diversity, far from undermining apostolic unity, reveals the richness and adaptability of the gospel—a multifaceted truth communicated through human individuality, all converging in the one Lord, Jesus Christ.
