The Gospel Differences: Why the 12 Apostles Did Not Preach Paul’s Gospel

Many Christians assume that the twelve apostles—Peter, James, John, and the rest—preached the same gospel as Paul. However, a careful examination of Scripture reveals that they preached different messages, each revealed by God for a specific purpose and audience. This distinction is crucial for properly understanding the Bible and God’s unfolding plan of salvation.

The Common Misconception: One Gospel for All

Most churches teach that Peter and the twelve apostles preached the same gospel that Paul later proclaimed. According to this view, the Church began in Acts 2 at Pentecost, and from that moment forward, the message of salvation was consistent: faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. However, this perspective does not align with the biblical record.

Scripture Tells a Different Story

1. Peter and the Twelve Preached the Gospel of the Kingdom
   • During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He sent out the twelve apostles with a specific message:
     

     “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'” (Matthew 10:7, NKJV)

   • This gospel was the good news that the promised Messianic Kingdom was near. It required repentance and water baptism (Mark 1:4, Acts 2:38) and was directed primarily to Israel (Matthew 15:24).
   • It was rooted in the Old Testament promises beginning with the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1–3). Everything the Lord Jesus and the twelve did and said was under the Law (Galatians 4:4). Jesus never told anyone to stop practicing the Law or abandon temple worship.
   • Furthermore, the Lord Jesus gave explicit instructions:
     

     “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 10:5–6, NKJV)

   • Even the Samaritans, who were half-Jew, were off-limits. Their mission was strictly to Israel.
2. The Twelve Did Not Understand Christ’s Death and Resurrection
   • If Peter and the apostles had been preaching the same gospel as Paul, they would have proclaimed Jesus’ death and resurrection as the means of salvation. However, Luke 18:31–34 makes it clear that they did not understand or expect His death:
     

     “But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.” (Luke 18:34, NKJV)

   • How could they have preached salvation through the cross when they did not even comprehend it?
3. Paul’s Gospel Was a Revelation from Christ
   • Unlike Peter, Paul did not receive his gospel from men but by direct revelation from Jesus Christ:
     

     “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11–12, NKJV)

   • Paul’s gospel centered on Christ’s death for our sins, burial, and resurrection as the sole basis for salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). Paul was chosen by God and explicitly commanded to go to the Gentiles:
     

     “But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.'” (Acts 9:15, NKJV)

   • Paul preached the good news that salvation is by grace through faith alone, apart from the Law (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 3:28). This was a completely different message, to a completely different audience. So different, it’s like daylight from dark. Why can’t people see it?
4. Peter Recognized Paul’s Unique Revelation
   • At the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), Peter acknowledged that salvation for Gentiles came through faith apart from the Law:
     

     “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” (Acts 15:11, NKJV)

   • Later, Peter admitted that Paul had received wisdom and revelation that was difficult to understand:
     

     “And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you.” (2 Peter 3:15, NKJV)

      

Why This Matters

First and foremost, getting the gospel right is paramount above all else. Secondly, if you don’t get the gospel message right, you won’t get doctrine right either. This is the case with much of Christendom today. Many believers use Jesus and the Twelve’s teaching—meant for Israel under the Law—as doctrine for the Body of Christ. But Christ’s earthly ministry was to Jews only (Romans 15:8), and everything He and the Twelve taught was directed toward that audience and under the Law.

Paul was not only given the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24), but he was also entrusted with the doctrine for the Body of Christ. When you get the gospel wrong, you get doctrine wrong too. That’s a double whammy (Galatians 1:8,9)—and there’s no need for it, Scripture is clear.

Final Thoughts

God’s revelation unfolded progressively. Peter and the Twelve faithfully preached the message they were given—the Kingdom Gospel to Israel, under the Law. Paul, however, was entrusted with the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the mystery kept secret since the world began (Romans 16:25). That now, salvation is by grace through faith alone in the finished work of the cross, apart from the Law. By distinguishing these messages, we gain a clearer understanding of God’s plan and avoid misinterpreting Scripture.

Important Clarification

I do not believe there are two gospels today in 2025. What I believe is that during Paul’s day, there were two distinct gospel messages—one to Israel (the Gospel of the Kingdom) and one to all mankind (the Gospel of the Grace of God). As the nation of Israel rejected Jesus as their Messiah, the Kingdom Gospel faded from the scene, and Paul’s gospel became the one and only means of salvation for both Jew and Gentile. Today, all will be judged according to Paul’s gospel (Romans 2:16). This is not a matter of opinion—it’s clearly laid out in Scripture. I share this because this truth is often misunderstood, and it’s one of the subjects I receive the most pushback on. But the Word makes it abundantly clear there were two gospels, today and since around 70 AD, there has only been one gospel, Paul’s gospel.

Do you see how this distinction affects your understanding of the Bible? Share your thoughts and let’s discuss!