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Fast Fact - Peter In Rome |
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Defense of the Apostle Peter dying in Rome |
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The following references indicates that Peter was in Rome close to the end of his life and the manner in which he would die. (The hyperlinks will open an online NASB to the chapter referenced) Major Texts John 21:18-19 - "... you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you..." 1 Peter 5:13 - "... she here in Babylon... sends you greetings." [Babylon = Rome] Through envy and jealousy, the greatest and most righteous pillars [of the Church] have been persecuted and put to death. Let us set before our eyes the illustrious apostles, Peter, through unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labours and when he had at length suffered martydom, departed to the place of glory due to him." (Clement of Rome, 1 Clement, 5 - written c. AD 80 -96) "I do not, as Peter and Paul, issue commandments unto you." (Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Romans, 4 - written c. AD 110). "Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome, and laying the foundations of the Church" (Irenaeus of Lyon, Against Heresies, 3,3,1 - written c. AD 180). "As Peter had preached the word publicly at Rome, and declared the Gospel of the Spirit, many who were present requested that Mark, who had followed him for a long time and remembered his sayings, should write them out" (Clement of Alexandria in Eusebius Church History, 6,14,6 - written c. AD 190). "It is, therefore, recorded that Paul was beheaded in Rome itself, and that Peter likewise was crucified under Nero. This account of Peter and Paul is substantiated by the fact that their names are preserved in the cemeteries of that place even to the present day. It is confirmed likewise by Caius, a member of the Church, who arose under Zephyrinus, bishop of Rome. He, in a published disputation with Proclus, the leader of the Phrgian heresy, speaks as follows concerning the places where the sacred corpses of the aforesaid apostles are laid:'But I can show the trophies of the apostles. For if you will go to the Vatican or to the Ostian way, you will find the trophies of those who laid the foundations of this church." (Gaius in Eusebius' Church History, 2:25 - written c. AD 198). "...[W[hat utterance also the Romans give, so very near (to the apostles), to whom PEter and Paul conjointly bequesthed the gospel even sealed with their own blood." (Tertullian, Against Marcion, 4,5 - written c. AD 207 - 212). "We read the lives of the Caesars: At Rome Nero was the first who stained the blood the rising blood. Then is Peter girt by another when he is made fast to the cross." (Tertullian, Scorpiace, 15,3 - written c. AD 212). (References to Peter's death in Rome are too numerous to include a definitive list here)
Scripture provides us with two facts. First, Christ predicted Peter's death by cruifixion (John 21:18-19 ). Second, Scripture places Peter in Rome near the end of the first century. The historical evidence that Peter died in Rome is ancient, consistent and undeniable. This is one of a few facts no longer seriously propounded by anti-Catholics today. |
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www.HandsOnApologetics.com |
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