Are You More Like the Apostle Paul or Peter?

By: Tasha Moore

6 Min Quiz

Image: Wiki Commons by El Greco

About This Quiz

Both the apostles Paul and Peter are important figures in Christianity. Here's your chance to find out which one of these charismatic faithful followers of Jesus you are most like. Take this Bible quiz to gauge your level of Paul or Peter personality. All that's required is your honesty, even if it's the brutal sort.

We all know Apostle Paul from his miraculous conversion moment when his name was changed from Saul to Paul on his way to Damascus. Just as he was in the act of persecuting early followers of Jesus, Saul was literally blinded by the light. So many Christians have been converted in the midst of adversity. Or perhaps you are more like Paul, whom Jesus went as far as describing as "the rock" on which he would build his church. No pressure, right? Some of you perform Christian service best when under pressure. Do you know what happens when you apply extreme pressure to coal rocks? They turn to diamonds! So pressure suits you if you are most like Peter.

The New Testament describes the faith journeys of both Paul and Peter in vivid detail. At the start, Paul was a staunch religious zealot poised to destroy any trace of Christianity. Peter used to be quite vain when he first dropped his fishing net to follow Jesus. In essence, we are all like these two great pillars of the faith; we all come from humble spiritual beginnings.

Now it's time for you to begin this quiz to see which leader of the faith you are most like. Go on and confirm your suspicions!

Have others been supportive or skeptical of lifestyle changes you've made for the sake of your beliefs?

Others are skeptical.

My friends and family always think I'm going through a phase.
Others are confident.

Who cares what "others" think?

Do you conduct church business like an entrepreneur or like a consumer?

I first listen to the "consumers," then I base my plans on that in an entrepreneurial fashion.

I only buy if there's a sale.
I'm propbaly the wise "consumer" type.

I ain't sellin' and I ain't buyin'.

Are you someone who holds high expectations for others when it comes to discipleship?

I maintain consistent high expectations.

I take what others give and don't ask for much more.
I only have high expections for a few, myself included.

I don't expect one thing.

Does the word "combative" describe your Christian leadership style?

I used to be militant, now I'm patient with others.

I was never the combative type. You don't wanna listen? Oh well!
These days I am more combative, in general. And my leadership skills have improved as a result.

If "combative" means nonexistent, then I'm combative.

Do you possess a tolerance for those whom you perceive as weak followers of the faith?

I have no patience for weak leadership.

I'm only tolerant to you if you demonstrate at least an ounce of common sense.
At first, I was a weak one.

Weak followers are the best!

What is your level of diplomacy? Are you a "people" person among fellow church members?

I only yield to sensible compromise.

You can't be diplomatic with everyone.
Early in my faith I was quick to judge others.

Zero diplomacy is my style.

How would you describe your religious upbringing?

I come from a religious family.

A little of this, a little of that.
I come from a liberal family.

Every man or woman for themselves.

If distractions come your way while you are engaged in an assignment, are you easily sidetracked?

No. I'm always focused.

Sorry, I was distracted. What did you ask?
"Distracted" was my middle name.

A little distraction is a good thing,

Are you the "fearless warrior" type when it comes to taking on new tasks in the name of your faith, or are you easily shaken?

I'm the fearless resident rebel at church.

I get angry, not shaken.
Shaken, not stirred.

You'll never see me sweat. People can smell fear.

Are you a mouthpiece for leadership or do you speak up mostly for the people?

I'm critical of my peers, but I speak for leadership.

I speak up for myself.
I'm the unofficial spokesperson for the people.

I'm a silent leader of one.

When new members join your church, can you tell if they'll stick around or quickly bail?

I can never really tell either way.

I don't have to tell. Odds are strong that they'll bail.
I can sense if they'll stick around or not.

I mind my own business.

Have you ever uttered an idea when among other church members without first thinking it through?

I never have.

That's how I communicate!
When I first started out, yes.

You find out who your real friends are that way.

Have church leaders ever noticed something "special" in you?

I'm the one who notices "special" in others.

Yes. Too often.
Leaders see "special" in me.

Yup! And they reached for the holy water and crucifix when they noticed it too.

Do people call you one name when you're in church and a different name outside church?

Yes.

People call me by my nickname and real name in both places.
No.

They call me "late" in both places.

Before you took on the faith, what was your life like?

I was always studying.

I enjoyed an exciting social life.
I was always working.

You mean, what's my life like now?

When you first started out as a Christian, did you volunteer to do any heavy lifting around the church when it was needed?

No. Instant leaders don't do that sort of thing.

I had no clue that churches needed any "heavy lifting."
I offered my help whenever I anticipated the need.

I've replaced working light bulbs and mowed the yard at a few churches.

How would you describe your Christian "conversion moment"?

It was major, though extremely personal.

I'm still converting. So in a word: extended.
It was overwhelming and semi-private.

Life is a "conversion moment" for me.

Have you ever written anything scholarly and religious?

I've always been a prolific author.

Never
Occassionally, I write.

Yeah. I delivered a "holy" letter to my idiot neighbor this morning: "Keep your dog off my #%$@ lawn!"

If the going gets tough, do you need to be vocal with others about your level of discomfort?

I've never complained about hard times.

Yes and no. I hum to ease the stress.
At first, I thought it was my duty to complain. Not anymore.

If the going gets tough, you won't see any trace of me either.

Is your church family your only "family"?

Church is all I've got.

I consider all people, in and out of church, my "family."
I have close church family and blood relatives.

I'm my own family.

Do you remain joyful even through trials and tribulations?

I remain joyful.

It depends if I have a source of support.
I may not always be joyful, but I encourage others to be.

If practical is joyful, then I'm joyful.

If your church maintains a hierarchy, do you seek to climb as high as you possibly can?

Leadership should come naturally. I have no patience for conformists.

No. I like the view from down here, thanks.
I used to be a conformist.

Thanks for mentioning one of the reasons why I don't go to church!

Have you ever been punished for your beliefs?

Not always, but as of late, yes.

I'll always change my beliefs if it saves me from punishment.
I've always been punished. I tried to avoid punishment at first.

Being right all of the time is a pain in itself.

When you were called to the faith, was it more a spiritual than physical calling?

It was all spiritual.

I must not have heard my ringer. I didn't get that call.
It was more physical.

Wrong number!

Many Christians testify to experiencing amazing miracles. What was the first miracle that you experienced?

I got a 75 percent off discount on eyeglasses!

I stayed awake for an entire sermon once.
I was able to float without sinking or using flotation devices.

I'm still waiting...

Do other people ask you where they can find help, or are you the direct source for the help they need?

I am the direct source.

People avoid me when they need help.
People ask me where to find help because I know important people.

I guess the "DO NOT DISTURB" sign I wear around my neck discourages anyone from asking me.

Understanding scripture can be confusing at times. Are you a fast learner?

It takes me a while to understand.

It took me an entire year to learn how to spell "skriptore" correctly. Does the "i" before "e" rule apply?
Yes

Whatever I don't understand, I remix.

Are you part of your church's inner circle?

I'm regarded as a know-it-all outcast.

I lurk around the inner circle perimeter for crumbs of gossip.
I'm part of my pastor's inner circle. I don't know about the rest of the church.

I don't know my shapes yet.

Would fellow church members say that your name is synonymous with humility?

They'd say I was slow to show humility.

Humility is boring.
I used to be very vain, but now I remain humble.

Show me a humble human, and I'll introduce you to a talking unicorn named "Fred."

Do you possess a tried-and-true technique for discerning God's unique message for you?

I pray and await the heavenly response.

Sure. I'm my own spiritual interpreter, so I always know what God wants.
I speak directly to the source.

If it's raining, God's sad; if it's sunny, God's happy. I'm simple like that.

6 Minute Quiz 6 Min

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