When Peter, James and John went to the Circumcision, what was their mission? Was it to preach the gospel of the grace of God or to write tribulation books?

My question today is on Galatians 2:9. When the three went to the circumcision what was their mission? Was it to preach the gospel of the grace of God or to write tribulation books? Since they knew the gospel has changed and Peter referenced Paul’s epistles in his 2nd book is he speaking as looking back from a tribulation point of view since Peter, James and John are tribulation books?

It makes sense that Hebrews was written in early Acts and it is now pushed out after we are out of here. I understand there is two gospels and the great commission is gone so why would James, Peter & John not preach the gospel of the grace of God to the Jews?

The part that throws me is Peter referencing Paul’s epistles so the three must have known the gospel had changed yet their books are all of a tribulation point of view. What am I missing here? I hope my questions are posed correctly. Thank you.

Thanks for your patience. I am going to answer your questions one at a time and hope this will help you.

First you asked:  “My question today is on Galatians 2:9.  When the three went to the circumcision what was their mission?”

After leaving the council at Jerusalem (Acts 15 & Galatians 2) Peter, James & John went back to ministering to the circumcision believers and according to II Peter 1:12-19 he (they) confirmed the promises God made to them while waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ after the trial of their faith (James 1:3,12;  I Peter 1:6-9).  Since no one knew how long this “grace” to the gentiles would last, 3-7-10 years (no one foresaw 2000 years) they were preparing for the tribulation that would follow when their program continued.

Second:  “Was it to preach the gospel of the grace of God or to write tribulation books?”

They did both.  Certainly according to  Acts 15:11 the Kingdom Saints became aware of justification by faith (see Galatians 2:15,16 Paul speaking to Peter); and also the one time sacrifice of Jesus Christ for all sins for all man as taught in the book of Hebrews was now preached to the circumcision Believers.  And yet in every book from Hebrews to Revelation, endurance to the end is still required and would be made possible by the Holy Spirit given them.

Third:  “Since they knew the gospel has changed and Peter referenced Paul’s epistles in his 2nd book is he speaking as looking back from a tribulation point of view since Peter, James and John are tribulation books?”

Their gospel had not changed.  Paul’s gospel of the uncircumcision for the Gentiles have given them further light of how God can justify sinners, but the promises of God to them, salvation into the Christ’s earthly Kingdom is still their hope and the books of Hebrews – Jude prepare them to endure the events of Revelation.  This is what they continue to expect. 

Forth:  “It makes sense that Hebrews was written in early Acts and it is now pushed out after we are out of here.  I understand there is two gospels and the great commission is gone so why would James, Peter & John not preach the gospel of the grace of God to the Jews?”

Reading  I Peter we can see Peter preached “salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (I Peter 1:5) and “the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” ( I Peter 1:13).  This is a future salvation and a future grace.  Their commission (the so called great commission) is not gone.  It is postponed by the “longsuffering of our Lord” ( II Peter 3:15).  Their promises and commission will resume as soon as this grace is over. 

Fifth:  The part that throws me is Peter referencing Paul’s epistles so the three must have known the gospel has changed yet their books are all tribulational.

The gospel has not changed for them!  Their commission is on hold while Paul takes the gospel of the grace of God to the Gentiles for the purpose of forming “the body of Christ” in the dispensation of grace.  When this dispensation ends, they were prepared and ready to continue their gospel and commission.

Sixth:  “What am I missing here?”

If you are missing anything, it seems to be the fact that no one knew how long the age of grace would last.  There are indications, when Paul speaks of the rapture, using the words “we which are alive and remain,” that even Paul expected the dispensation of grace to end in his lifetime.  Had that happened the Kingdom program would have continued right where it left off in Acts 8. I hope this will help your understanding.