Greetings fellow student, Great job on your post. Now let’s expand on the evidence concerning Peter. This is what BiblePath (2014) has to say about Peter: “According to Church tradition, the Roman Emperor Nero, publicly announcing himself the chief enemy of God, was led in his fury to slaughter the Apostles. Because of this persecution, Peter was crucified upside down while in Rome. Concerning the last hours of his life, it is said that Peter, when seeing his own wife led out to die, rejoiced because of her summons and her return home. He called to her very encouragingly and comfortingly, addressing her by name, and saying, O thou, remember the Lord. Of the final days of the apostle Peter in Rome, Italy, Jowett wrote that Peter was cast into a horrible prison called the Mamertine. For nine months, in absolute darkness, he endured monstrous torture manacled to a post. In spite of all the suffering Peter was subjected to, however, he converted his jailers, Processus, Martinianus, and forty-seven others. Peter met his death at the hand of the Romans in Neros circus, 67AD” The important part about this post is about the tradition that Peter was crucified upside down. It cannot be proven that he was, but the early church fathers seem to be in agreement that he was and it makes sense. Paul bore a, “thorn on his side” of some unknown origin for the glory of the Lord. Peter most likely bore a, “thorn on his side” in the form of shame for his actions concerning Jesus during the Passion. This shame was not enough to keep him from his mission and excellence in leadership. But by being crucified upside down Peter would have made a statement of shame of sorts and also that he was not worthy to be crucified like Jesus. Then of course we should expand on the evidence concerning James, the half-brother of Jesus, leader of the early church like Peter, and writer of the Epistle James. This is what Aust, J (2014) has to say about James, “However, after Jesus resurrection James and his brothers joined the company of believers, now convinced Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah and Son of God (Acts:1:14). A special appearance by Jesus to James, mentioned only in 1 Corinthians 15:7, probably played a major part in James change of heart. When James wrote his epistle some 30 years later, his humility is evident by the way he saw himself: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ (James 1:1). James identified himself as the servant of Jesus rather than as a close relative. He was not willing to boast that he was half-brother of the Son of God. He may also have remembered how shamefully he had treated Jesus by rejecting Him in previous years. Jude identified himself similarly, while also identifying himself as a brother of James (Jude 1).” So it is a reasonable assumption that James bore a, “thorn on his side” as well. I wander if these thorns were God’s way of punishing Peter and James for their lack of faith. What do you think? SELAH References: Aust, J (2014) The Good News – Profiles of Faith: Half-brother of Jesus Retrieved from: ucg.org/christian-living/profiles-faith-half-brother-jesus BiblePath (2014) The Apostle Simon (Peter) Retrieved from: biblepath/peter.html
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 17:59:19 +0000
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