Did God continue to deal with Israel on the covenant promises after Christ?
After Christ, God stopped dealing with the nation of Israel on the Old Testament covenant promises. Instead, He turned to bring salvation to the whole human race. This shift was unthinkable to Peter, who was steeped in Judaism, legalism, and temple worship.
Les explains that Peter was steeped in Judaism, legalism, temple worship, and the covenant promises coming out of the Old Testament. He had to admit that God was not dealing any more with the nation of Israel on the covenant promises, but instead was out to bring salvation to the whole human race. Even Peter found this hard to understand and hedged a little, acknowledging there are things hard to be understood.