How did Peter die?

There is no talk in the bible on how Peter died so one could up with many ways or theories of his death, but after doing some research, most sources have the same conclusion… Crucifixion. One source says that the most commonly accepted church tradition is that Peter was crucified upside-down after Peter requested to be crucified on an inverted cross. The reason for the appeal was because he had previously denied Jesus three times, so he didn’t think he was worthy enough to die the same way Jesus did.

Below is a video better explaining the meaning of the upside down cross:

The only thing the bible really tells us about Peter’s death is back in John 21:18-19. Jesus prophesied about the manner of his death. To me, it would be very uncomfortable to be around someone who knew my fate and talk about my death in a casual manner. Maybe it was to prepare him for Jesus’ resurrection but it is possible that Peter found comfort in hearing that his death would glorify God. Reading that passage of scripture though makes me ask myself why would he deny knowing someone like his friend Jesus and why would he feel not worthy enough to die on a regular cross if his death was supposed to glorify God? 

One source says that Peter was killed by Roman emperor Nero during the mid-sixties. Eusebius, an early church historian, wrote that, “Peter seems to have preached in Pontus and Galatia and Bithynia and Cappadocia and Asia, to the Jews of the Dispersion, and at last, having come to Rome, he was crucified head downward, for so he himself had asked to suffer. (Ecclesiastical History III, I) Even Wikipedia says that Peter died of crucifixion. The only recorded death of one the apostles is in Acts 12:1-2 where it talks about how “Herod the king laid violent hand on some who belonged to the church” and how James was killed “with the sword.”

Another source says that Peter died about 33-34 years after the death of Jesus and talks about how Smith’s Bible Dictionary says that there is “satisfactory evidence that he and Paul were the founders of the church at Rome and died in that city. The time and manner of the apostle’s martyrdom are less certain.” The National GeographicChannel talks about how Peter is viewed by Roman Catholics as the first pope and was eventually martyred in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero.

I think it’s interesting to find that most sources are saying the same thing about Peter’s death in a world full of conspiracy theorists. Even though there is no textual evidence in the bible of exactly how Peter died, in John 21:19 Jesus says that his death “was to glorify God.” I do find it interesting that no one knows exactly how he died or that it was recorded because of how important he is in the scripture and to the Roman Catholics. He was also a close friend of one of the most popular people in history, Jesus. 

Why was the letter of Philemon written?

The book of Philemon is about the story of the slave, or bondservant, Onesimus, who runs away from his master, Philemon, and finds favor with Paul. John Rutherfurd tells us Philemon was a well-off resident of Colosse and a prominent member of the church there. Textually, it doesn’t say exactly why Onesimus has run away, but it could be because he stole from Philemon because Paul says to “charge it to my account” and that “I will repay it” if Onesimus has wronged him in any way. While he had run away from Philemon, he somehow travels to Rome where he has met Paul and has been converted to Christianity.  One source says that they story behind Paul’s appeal is a deeply religious one and has community implications.

We can clearly see that Onesimushas been influential in Paul’s life because he makes a personal appeal to Philemon on Onesimus’ behalf and even says he became a father to Onesimus. He even goes so far to say “If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account” knowing that Onesimus probably could not afford to pay him back. He also doesn’t want Onesimus to be treated as a stealing runaway slave when he returns, but as a “beloved brother” and wants him to be received as if it was Paul himself because Philemon was more than likely very angry with Onesimus. He adds in verse 12 that while he is sending Onesimus back, he is “sending my very heart.”

William MacDonald tells us how Martin Luther said ,“Here we see how St. Paul lays himself out for poor Onesimus, and with all his means pleads his cause with his master: and so sets himself as if he were Onesimus, and had himself done wrong to Philemon. Even as Christ did for us with God the Father, thus also St. Paul does for Onesimus with Philemon… We are all His Onesimi, to my thinking.” Bible Gateway shows how each demand Paul makes aids Philemon in understanding that Christ's exchange for him must be concretely demonstrated by receiving his slave home as an equal companion of the congregation's life (v. 17); or by paying another's debt (vv. 18-19); or by showing compassion toward another (vv. 20-21); or by providing a room in his home to a guest (v. 22). Such are the necessities of being a new creature in Christ. Paul trusts that Philemon will make the right decision concerning Onesimus. If Philemon wasn’t a Christian or Paul wasn’t as respected as he was, Onesimus probably would have never returned knowing that his punishment would be great. To me, Paul is definitely relying on his friendship with Philemon to find it in his heart to forgive Onesimus and he says at the end of his letter to “prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.”

In this letter, Paul writes to Philemon saying, “formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.” Onesimus goes from the useless slave to a useful brother in Christ.  He left a slave but he returned as a son.

“The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”

John 8:35-36 ESV

Why did Paul write to the Church of Galatia?

Even though a short letter, you can tell the severity in Paul’s tone of writing. His greeting is extremely short compared to his other writings and you can tell that he is furious with the church of Galatia. I think Paul would be extremely devastated if he saw the churches of today and all the different denominations and all the different things said over the pulpit. One of my sources says that despite all of Paul’s effort to push the matter of “faith” throughout his letter, he still clearly expects certain behavior from the believers in Galatia.

One source says that more than any other book in the New Testament, perhaps even including Romans, that Paul’s letter to the Galatians has been the source of religious instruction for the church in the midst of its deepest crisis. The Jewish-Christian missionaries, also called the “Judaizers,” were false teachers telling Gentiles that in order to be Christians that they had to obey Jewish tradition, especially by receiving the sign of circumcision. Paul felt that what they were a teaching went against God’s free grace and to defend the truth.

Every letter that Paul wrote was always to deal with specific problems, but with the churches of Galatia, the matter was especially urgent. He even went so far as to call them “foolish Galatians” in chapter 3 for not only questioning him as an apostle, but his doctrine that he taught them. Paul felt compelled to write to the churches of Galatia, which he founded, because they were turning to what Galatians 1:6 a “different gospel” while Paul wasn’t with them. Paul says that he was “astonished” that the people of God were so quickly “deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ.” Paul had to defend his apostleship by reminding them right off the back that he was sent “not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father.” He also urges them to understand, what one source says, “the integrity of the Christian message is at stake.”

The fact that Paul actually took the time out to write this to the Galatians shows that, even with his harsh tone, he loves the people of Galatia. He shows them what my dad would call “tough love.” He could have just been frustrated and let them follow their new gospel and been out of God’s grace. He could’ve washed his hand and been done with the Galatians but instead he decided to have patience with them and sense of urgency only shows that he is trying to help them and do what God has called him to do.

Maybe the churches felt like Judaizers were richer or more charming than they were? Maybe they missed Paul and felt he abandoned them? Why the people were so easily persuaded after all they had seen or been taught is a major question. Ligonier Ministries posed the question “Why did the Gentile Galatians believe the Judaizers?” They also went on to say maybe it was because the Galatians had not shed their “cultural baggage,” so they found the Judaizers “higher” religious life attractive.

Paul felt that the Judaizers were destroying the unity of the church. The Judaizers felt they had a better advantage of knowing God because they were circumcised; but in Galatians 5:2 though, Paul tells them that “if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.” He also says that “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” He also quotes them an Old Testament scripture and reminds them of Abraham who “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

Below is a short video that also talks about Paul's journey and again, why he wrote this specific letter.