The Underestimated Apostle – Part 4

Peter Denying the Christ Peter, the Underestimated Apostle 6 May The Paradox of Peter 6 May Preacher, President & Apostle 13 May Peter and Paul 13 May Peter in Rome Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn Peter Denying the Christ Recently on exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW

Peter in Corinth From First Corinthians we know that Peter (Cephas) was in Corinth after Paul founded the church (i.e., between 53-55): 1:11-12 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, ‘I follow Paul’, or ‘I follow Apollos’, or ‘I follow Cephas’, or ‘I follow Christ’. 3:22 All things are yours − whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future— all are yours, and you are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.

Peter in Corinth From First Corinthians we know that Peter (Cephas) was in Corinth after Paul founded the church (i.e., between 53-55): 9:5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 15:5 … and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

Peter in Rome From First Peter we learn that the Apostle Peter was a presbyter or elder in ‘Babylon’ (= Rome; Revelation 17:5,18) in company with his ‘son’ Mark and amanuensis (?) Silvanus: 5:1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder (presbyteros) and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. Peter: witness of Christ’s sufferings now (senior) presbyter in Rome. Paul: ‘I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation’ (Romans 15:20). Note: Romans is not addressed to ‘the church in Rome’, but to Paul’s mission network (Romans 16).

Peter in Rome 1 Peter 5:12-13 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. By (dia, ‘through’) Silvanus (Jerusalem Jew with Roman name): amanuensis and envoy to five Anatolian provinces. Roman citizen. Tri-lingual? ‘Babylon’ (= Rome; Revelation 17:5,18); place of exile and suffering. John Mark, surrogate son; cousin of Barnabas; assistant and later co-worker with Paul (Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24).

Rome Augustus Castor and Pollux

Rome Titus triumphant Tiberius

The Death of Peter John 13:36 Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward’. John 21:18-19 ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go’. (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, ‘Follow me’. 2 Peter 1:13-15 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

The Death of Peter Tacitus, Annals xv Derision accompanied their end: they were covered with wild beasts skins and torn to death by dogs; or they were fastened with crosses, and when daylight failed were burnt to serve as lamps by night. Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle, and gave an exhibition in his Circus….

St Peter’s Basilica, Rome The Death of Peter 1 Clement 5:1 But, to pass from the examples of ancient days, let us come to those champions who lived nearest to our time. Let us set before us the noble examples who belong to our generation. Through resentment and envy the greatest and most righteous pillars of the Church were persecuted, and contended unto death. Let us set before our eyes the good apostles [Peter and Paul] − Peter who because of unrighteous resentment endured not one but many afflictions, and thus having borne his testimony in this fashion went to the place of glory that was his due The tomb of St Peter in St Peter’s Basilica, Rome

The Gospel of Mark Papias, bishop of Hierapolis (c. 110): And the Presbyter was saying this: Mark, becoming Peter’s interpreter wrote accurately as many things as he remembered … [he did] not [write] in order the things said and done by the Lord. For he neither heard the Lord, nor followed him, but later, as I said, [he followed] Peter.

The Gospel of Mark Justin Martyr, writing from Rome c. 150” confirmed Papias’ explanation, calling the Gospel of Mark the ‘reminiscences of Peter’. Irenaeus another leader who had extensive knowledge of the church in Rome wrote: ‘after their deaths [Peter’s and Paul’s], Mark the disciple and interpreter of Peter also handed down to us in writing the things preached by Peter’.

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