Replies

"but the commission of St. Peter, and on that score the scripture informs us of a significant difference between St. Peter and you or me."

Peter's commission was the same as your commission and mine: Mat 28:18 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen."

Act 1:8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.'

Peter carried out his commission to the Jews, Paul carried out his commission to the Gentiles and you and I are to carry ours out in the fields God places us in. He has given us the command, the power and the field and He expects us to be obedient to the commission.

In Matthew 28:18 Christ is addressing the eleven apostles, not you and not me. You and me are mentioned, but as students, not teachers in verses 19-20. Likewise, in Acts 1:2-8, the gift of the Holy Ghost is promised the "apostles whom [Christ] had chosen [...] [to whome He] shewed himself alive after his passion [...] [and] eating together with them". Not you and not me.

Now be a good sheep and don't misinterpret scripture.

Peter carried out his commission to the Jews

This is wrong also. Peter has received Gentiles into the church in Acts 11; he recalls converting Gentiles in Acts 15:7. In his second letter he makes it clear that his letter is intended to the same audience as Paul's letters, and indeed it is clear that his letters are intended for all Christians. It could be thaqt St. Paul had a narrower focus, but St. Peter was responsible for the Church as a whole. Unlike you and me.

Peter carried out his commission to the Jews, Paul carried out his commission to the Gentiles and you and I are to carry ours out in the fields God places us in

Not all are given the same importance and precedence,though.

"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues" (1 Cor 12:27-28)

Again, what your answers tell me is that the Protestants refuse to submit to any standard, to any authority, which is intself contrary to Scripture. For the authority is from God.