Romans 8:12-17 ~ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God

Romans 8:12-17

12 So, dear brothers,
 you have no obligations whatever to your old sinful nature to do what it begs you to do. 
13 For if you keep on following it you are lost and will perish, but if through the power of the Holy Spirit you crush it and its evil deeds,
you shall live.

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall 
back into fear, 
but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry,
 “Abba! Father!” 

16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—
heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, 
provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.


Yesterday we looked at the world's excitement in the Egyptian death mask covering a mummy (a body) with fragments of 80 A.D. Gospel of Mark in the lining of the mummy mask.
Body meets spirit meets eternal.
No archaeological proof will make our faith sure.
Only the eyes of faith, walking in the Spirit of God, make this bodily life eternal.
Father God is the God who would run to us, as we are.


Psalm 103:17-18
From everlasting to everlasting 
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, 
and his righteousness with their children’s children— 
with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.


Tony Evans was on the radio this last week and he said this:
"There is an old saying that Christians don't dance. AND REALLY GOOD CHRISTIANS, REALLY DON'T DANCE!!!"

"There is an old saying that Christians don't drink. AND REALLY GOOD CHRISTIANS, REALLY DON'T DRINK!!!"

The problem is: these are traditions, they have nothing to do with real Spiritual growth where mature Christians follow the freedom in Jesus Christ. These man made traditions aren't even the Law. We make our traditions the Law and the Law kills. Because if you look in the Bible - David danced. And Timothy was urged to take some wine."




Mixing and Mingling

We should wonder at the translations - we have mixed and mingled the passage above. Some is Living Bible and some is English Standard Version. Purists say stick to one version of the Word of God. And yet, Paul said to be all things to all people to bring people in to the knowledge and Love of God the Father!


Is there a cost?



fellow heirs with Christ, 
provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

This passage says that following Jesus has some suffering. Yes. Jesus told us we would have troubles. 

Romans 8:12-17  ~ English Standard Version

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,
you will live.




Troubles are a certainty...

2 Corinthians 5:4 ~ New Living Translation
While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by ...life.





Jesus is our way, truth, Life.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing to        the division of soul and
------------of spirit,
of joints and of marrow,
and discerning the thoughts 
and intentions of the heart.

Making perfect sense of the two parts of Romans 12.

Romans 12:1-21

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment,
each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.




The measure of faith - God - has assigned?


John 10:27-28
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Mark 16:20
And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.

Hebrews 2:3
How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.





How Serious is the Salvation offered to us in the Death and Life of Jesus Christ the Lord?

Philippians 2:12
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now,
not only as in my presence but much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,


piercing to the division of soul and of spirit,

Luke 2:
34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed-- 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul-- to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."


John 19:33-35
33 but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.

No punishment we could ever bear would make us sinless. Only the Grace of Jesus can give us salvation.
No work we could ever accomplish would ever make us sinless. Only the Grace of Jesus can make us righteous in His Name - Jesus Christ the Lord - and His Sacrifice.

Why would we press on when Salvation is assured?
When we know the Love, the amazing and wonderful Love Jesus has for us -
we want all to know how high, how deep, how wide is the Amazing and Individual Love Jesus Christ has for His Beloved - diverse in the Body of Christ - the Fullness of God Loving us.

Father God, in Your Goodness - Press on.
Jesus the Lord, in Your Victory - Call us to You.
Holy Spirit - Dwell with in all who call upon You in sincerity and earnestness.
Grace of God - Go forth with us to do Your good Will and fill us and our loved ones with the Glory of Your Love.
In Jesus we call upon the Highest name of Love. Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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John 18 ~ Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He."

2,000 Year Old Egyptian Funeral Mask
 Contains 
The Gospel of Mark from 80 A.D.



Another
 Interesting Egyptian Funeral Item is
Amenhotep’s Funeral Statue  - the Base of the Statue Says, "Joseph-el"

Amenhopt III has a mortuary palace in Kom el Hetan where it was only discovered in 2009. The papyrus at the bases of the statues have provided interesting clues to Joseph.  On a statue-base of Amenhotep III at Kom el Hetan which is the funerary temple of Amenhotep III there is a topographical list with the place-name Yspir (Series a:1; Kitchen 1965, 2).

John 18

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 

4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 
5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 

Jesus said to them, “I am he.”

Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 

7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” 

And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 

8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.”

 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 

20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.”

22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 

23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 

34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 

35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?”

 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were 
 of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 

37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?”

 Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 

38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 

40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber



Luke 22

49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. .”

Holy Family flight into Egypt by Edwin Longsden

Later this year, Craig Evans, professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College in Wolfville, Nova Scotia will release the world's oldest fragment of the Gospel of Mark c 80 A.D. Already he has criticism for destroying something like 2,000 year old funeral mask.

CNN reports Robert Mazza, an ancient historian and papyrologist from the University of Manchester in England, told us, the academic community has not "been given access to firm information and images on the basis of which could eventually say something." Also reminded us that "you do not need to completely destroy masks for getting out texts if you use methods developed and improved by papyrologists since 1980."


Manchester?
Papyrus 52 Ryland Papyrus is found in Manchester, UK. Dates to about the time the Disciple John was still alive. For years was in St Catherine's Monastery at the base of Mt. Sinah.

Another exciting Papyrus in full support of the Exodus is Ipuwur found in Dutch Antiquities Museum in Liden, Netherlands. (The Ipuwur Papyrus was found at the base of a pyramid.)

Astonishing and relatively unknown, Papyrus 46 is
300 fully intact Chapters of the New Testament
dating to years of Disciple John's Disciple Polycarp.

Why would someone in Egypt be interested in the doings of the Roman Syrian suburb of Judea?
And at this time period 2,000 years ago?

Jesus was getting around in 80 A.D.
His Words were being published...

Mark 16:15
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."

Father God was busy creating this interest in Jesus Christ for some time.

So how is the history of Egypt, the Crown Jewel of all the Ancient World to little ol' Israel now called Roman Syrian province of Judea?

Well if you travel to the Temple of Artemas in Greece you will find Queen Cleopatra's sister - Arsinoë IV killed at the Temple by Mark Antony who had her executed on the steps of the temple, a gross violation of the temple sanctuary and an act which scandalized Rome. (Well Mark Antony - blessed are the merciful - they shall obtain mercy!)

And so 60 B.C. they have dug out Arsinoe's DNA and found Cleopatra and Herod - were related. Directly by the Ptolemy's.

Now the Ptolemy's are Fascinating. Herod's family.

These titles refer to a legendary story, according to which seventy or seventy-two Jewish scholars were asked by the Greek King of Egypt Ptolemy II Philadelphus to translate the Torah from Biblical Hebrew into Greek, for inclusion in the Library of Alexandria.

And that was a perfect match the Scriptures were proven to be so sacredly treated that the scholars could perfectly repeat the Scriptures.

This is first found in the pseudepigraphic Letter of Aristeas to his brother Philocrates, and is repeated, with embellishments, by Philo of Alexandria, Josephus and by various later sources, including ... St. Augustine.

The Herod's took over and the Davidic line ceased - Time for Jesus.

Jesus we see in Isaiah Chapter 7 is going to be born into sufficiency, but not a palace. And yet, God sent His Son Jesus to live in Egypt as a child. Jesus probably picked up an accent different from most Judeans. Egypt was still considered to be a very up and coming and affluent part of the world.

Egyptians were free. e. While their Roman counterparts worshiped in catacombs and underground vaults, the Egyptian Christians built their churches openly and performed their ceremonies in full view of the Empire.

Christians believe Christianity was brought to Egypt by the Apostle Saint Mark in the early part of the first century AD. Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea, in his Ecclesiastic History states Saint Mark first came to Egypt between the first and third year of the reign of Emperor Claudius, which would make it sometime between AD 41 and 44, and that he returned to Alexandria some twenty years later to preach and evangelize. Saint Mark's first convert in Alexandria was Anianus, a shoemaker who later was consecrated a bishop and became Patriarch of Alexandria.

Now...are you surprised the Gospel of Mark is found in Egypt???

1. God has created an interest in God in Egypt.

2. The Exodus is supported by the Papyrus Ipuwer and ancient Pharaoh Tax documents in Goshen.
 

The name of the city Jacob-El was recorded for the first time in Thutmose’s III era.

Thutmose III actually created Egypt’s wealth. Thutmose III possessed the archetypal qualities of a great ruler. A brilliant general who never lost a battle, he also excelled as an administrator and statesman. 1479 – 1425 BC

 
Yahweh was also recorded for the first time during Thutmose III.
Ramses II spent Egypt’s wealth on massive building projects where as Thutmose III actually created Egypt’s wealth.
During this time period, according to Egyptian historical documentation, Israel was not a recorded as a name, the people were recorded as hyksos.
On a statue of Amenhotep III (monotheistic Pharoah) at Kom el Hetan is Amenhotep’s funeral statue and on the base of the statue is Joseph-el.

3. What did Mark bring to Egypt?

 Jesus is reported to have been seen alive and resurrected to John Mark.
His life changed and he changed.
Jesus declared this in the Gospel of Mark Chapter 16.
More of what the New Testament boldly declares.


Romans 11:29
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable


4. This ministry was to interesting people - with Hope,
 with Faith and Love.
 Evidence of the Living God - Jesus Christ.

God wants to save the world.

Our Living God - Jesus Christ
Archaeology reveals  

Daniel 2:22

He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.

Mark 16:15
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."


Father God, You said more blessed are the eyes seeing with faith. Father God, we lift up Your Good News. Jesus Christ wants to save the world. Equip us and the ones we Love with everything good to do Your Will, working in us to be pleasing in Your sight, through Jesus Christ, Father God to You be glory forever and ever. Amen in Jesus Christ.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

Matthew 16:18 ~ Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church

Matthew 16:18 

And I tell you that you are Peter, 
and on this rock 
I will build my church, 
and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Jesus just did NOT kid around with prophetic Word.  

 Jesus took His Disciples to the city, the Herod brown nose built city of Caesarea for this day of Peter being named a rock.

  Jesus and His Disciples, James Tissot

Recently, it was pointed out to me that the word for rock here is the aramaic for pebble. That's right. God using what is weak and fallible to become strong for 2 millenniums. And 80 feet below the altar was an amazing find.


Imagine:

Indiana Jones style. A Pope dies. Long live the new Pope. He begins to realize that we need a new place to bury the Popes in a row, like display. Perfect place... under the Vatican. And voila the city of Rome appears during Emperor Constantine. Even the wooden doors appear.

In 1939, Pius XII began an underground excavation to organize the space into a proper underground chapel for the bones of the popes. By 1941, it had become clear that a major area of archaeological importance had been discovered. A whole street of tombs came to light, some 300 feet long, with tombs on both sides.

After more that 25 years of research, Paul VI shared his knowledge and his joy with the world on 26th June 1968: the bones of St. Peter, the rock, had been found. On the evening of the 27th, at a ceremony before the aedicula attended by the Pope, Professors Guarducci and Correnti, the bones were restored to the loculus in the Graffiti Wall. A short prayer was said and the shrine to Peter was closed off from the street of tombs by a heavy wrought iron gate.

The Graffiti Wall was very similar to the wall found in Peter's house in Capernaum ~ it declared: "Petr[os] en[i]", "Peter is here within". Alpha and omega combinations were present, as references to Christ, but they were also found in reverse order, signifying Christ's role as the gateway to eternal life. Alpha and omega might also be separated from each other and connected by a thin line. Other letters signified other mysteries: tau indicated the cross, epsilon stood for Eden and nu for "nika", victory. But most important of all, curious combinations of rho and pi were references to the apostle Peter. Not only did Guarducci uncover the spiritual richness and hunger of those who visited the Graffiti Wall, she revealed that there were no fewer than twenty references to Peter on it.

Most important of all, the remains of an elderly man, aged between 60 and 70 of robust stature with the feet missing. Peter was crucified upside down and removed from the cross without his feet. The bones also had traces of earth clinging to them, showing that they had once been interred in the ground. When Correnti carried out tests on the soil beneath the aedicula it provided a perfect match. And finally, mingling with the bones from the loculus were the slightest traces of a distinctive garment: purple in colour and containing fine strands of gold thread. Under Constantine, early in the fourth century, the bones were taken out, wrapped in an expensive purple and gold cloth as a sign of their revered status.

Sceptics do not agree that these are the bones of Peter, but faith is of substance unseen.

Basilica of Saint Peter today.

Altar of the Vatican, where Peter's bones are 80" underneath, The Vatican was built upon Peter's grave.

What does a relatively large house in ancient Capernaum have in common with the Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano? They are both the homes of Peter, who loved and followed Jesus Christ. Both the house in Capernaum and the 2nd century grave site have the same graffiti proclaiming this is Peter, follower of Jesus. Where is the 2nd century grave located?

Important Dirt analysis agree and decades of archaeological studies and historical documents of Emperor Constantine - this is Peter's remains 80 feet below the altar.


Basilica of St. Peter from 331 until 17th century A.D. It was destroyed by a fire.

G is the representation of the foundation of the 4th century Church, the rest is beneath the foundation - as it would have appeared in the 4th century.

Overview of Peter's area. The undisturbed 4th century shrine for Paul's remains, built by Constantine.

Several excavated streets under the Vatican. Surrounded by tombs of the 2nd and 3rd century.

Peter's grave is 80 feet down, it took 10 years of amazing discoveries before they reached the Peter's area; most bodies clearly identified by name, art, poetry, mosaics, statuary. Pius knew they had rediscovered Peter's bones in the 2nd century grave, surrounded by the 4th century shrine built by Constantine.
Peter's bones were kept in a box. His bones were different than the others because they contained one man, wrapped in remains of purple cloth with gold thread, a tile saying "Peter is here" in Greek, was found in the box.

How the 4th century shrine appeared in 1949.

Compared to the descriptions of Constantine in  the 300s A.D.

c. 1966 the remains of Peter's house in Capernaum, Israel. Similar graffiti as Paul's tomb.




This Is the Rock that kept Peter's Bones Intact and are what the Altar is Built on Top of:

The actual  'rock' slab ceiling that kept these particular bones - intact.

The slab 'rock' that kept out moisture, thieves. Slab (a rock) helping to preserve Peter's body when the others around him were already dust.

The red wall with graffiti saying this is Peter, follower of Jesus Christ. Identical art found to Peter's home in Capernaum.

Original 2nd century tomb the 4th century tomb surrounded.

The discovered bones were found in the repository wall and later returned.

Caravaggio, Peter on the cross

1 Peter 3:14-16a
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience

Darker bones are the remaining bones of Peter.
Photos of Peter's bones.


Peter's tomb today, located under the altar in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Italy.

Glory to God the Father for times we need more assurances. Glory to Jesus, the friend, the Savior of Peter and the world. Glory to the Holy Spirit, helping Peter to follow God's plan.

We begin our story with Jesus

Matthew 4:19
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

We still agree in the end of the Gospels and this post - this is still about Jesus.

John 21:19
19 (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.”

Jesus knew where Peter would be buried, He knew where His Church would grow therefore He took Peter to Caesarea to give him the prophesy:

Matthew 16:18
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.



Peter's final resting place was rediscovered in the 1939 dig; began when Pope Pius XI died and there wasn't a good place to bury him. The workmen of Pope Pius XII discovered it wasn't going to just be pagan people underneath the floors of the Basilica. After 10 years of amazing discoveries, most bodies clearly identified by name, art, poetry, mosaics, statuary, Pius knew they had probably rediscover Peter's bones in the 2nd century grave surrounded by the 4th century shrine built by Constantine. Pius decided they would wait until the evidence looked completely irrefutable, they waited until December 23, 1950, when Pius told the world.

From 1939 to 1964, conclusions the scientists decided were:

- An"elderly man" between sixty and seventy years, about five feet seven inches tall, of heavy build, a man of robust constitution. Missing the feet bones. The bones had lain - and for a considerable period of time - in a bare earth grave. (Peter had been martyred, buried as a criminal). All these bones, it appeared, at some time after dissolution of the flesh, had been taken from the earth and wrapped in a purplish, gold-threaded cloth. Enclosed was a plaque /tile with two Greek words "Petros Eni." Peter is here.

- Many, many of the tombs had bodies that had already turned to dust, the bones of Peter were amazing in their completion. There was even water in the area, which had been a problem to the Basilica for centuries. A single, huge outcropping of rock had preserved the carefully cared for remains.

- Sumptuous marble housing erected by Constantine, in the 4th century, over the 2nd century tomb, was intended to preserve forever both the true original grave of Peter's remains. It has never been tampered or violated.

- Soil adhering to the bones in the repository proved they had originally been interred in the earth. Chemical analysis proved that this soil exactly matched the soil in the original grave under the monument.

- The bones, where as others in the vicinity contained a lot of different types of bones thrown together, these were the carefully preserved bones of one man, missing the feet. In the repository, they had been wrapped in cloth of royal purple, an indication of the unusually high dignity accorded. Threads of gold in the cloth reinforced this impression, since the combination of purple and gold was a fact well attested from antiquity as indicating imperial honors. The robe was older than 4th century.

- An inscription within the repository, in Greek, declared "Peter is buried in here." Other inscriptions on the outside the repository, in Latin invoked his name in prayer.

- 2nd century Graffiti on the tomb's red wall was very similar to the graffiti in Peter's Capernaum house.

- Pope Damasus, in the fourth century, seriously encountered the problem of cemetery vandalism growing out of religious bigotry, it was a violent age. The repository in the sturdy little wall guarded against intrusions by permanently enclosing the precious remains on all sides.





One of the main scientists working on the archaeological dig:
http://saintpetersbasilica.org/Necropolis/MG/TheTombofStPeter-1.htm
THE TOMB OF ST. PETER
by Margherita Guarducci
© 1960, Hawthorn Books


The Bones of St. Peter. The First Full Account of the Search for the Apostle's Body by John Evangelist Walsh. © 1982. http://saintpetersbasilica.org/Necropolis/JW/TheBonesofStPeter-1.htm

It's interesting to see Peter's house (photograph above) is just the remains of a house. The Church - the Bride of Jesus Christ has amazing depth and splendor.

1 Peter 5 

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 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; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive!

10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.


12 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. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

So many amazing archaeological discoveries in the last 100 years. To name just a few: Dead Sea Scrolls, Lazarus' tomb in Spain, the entire Hittite Nation, the cities of Nineveh, Ur, Sodom and Gomorrah. Tile piece in Goliath's hometown with his name and David's name. The walls of Jericho. The walls of Babylon. The Capernaum Synagogue with Zebedee's name (father of disciples James and John) on a pillar. Written record of King David. King David's Palace found by description in the Bible for location. Many steeles ( antiquity plaques) found to confirm biblical fact written by other nations. Many, many artifacts in the Museum of Israel.

†

Bishop Papias of Hierapolis, said Mark scribed Peter’s teachings. The Gospel of Mark were Peter's memories.

This is the way to locate the Bishop Papias' quotes: Ecclesiastical History Book 2 Chapter 15, Book 3 Chapter 30 and Book 6 Chapter 14). Papias wrote a five volume work entitled, “Interpretation of the Oracles of the Lord”. In this treatise (which no longer exists), he quoted John the elder Disciple:

“And the elder used to say this, Mark became Peter’s interpreter and wrote accurately all that he remembered, not, indeed, in order, of the things said and done by the Lord. For he had not heard the Lord, nor had followed him, but later on, followed Peter, who used to give teaching as necessity demanded but not making, as it were, an arrangement of the Lord’s oracles, so that Mark did nothing wrong in thus writing down single points as he remembered them. For to one thing he gave attention, to leave out nothing of what he had heard and to make no false statements in them.”

Irenaeus said Mark wrote his Gospel from Peter’s teaching In his book, “Against Heresies” (Book 3 Chapter 1), Irenaeus (130-200AD) also reported Mark penned his Gospel as a scribe for Peter, adding the following detail:

“Matthew composed His Gospel among the Hebrews in their own language, while Peter and Paul proclaimed the Gospel in Rome and founded the community. After their departure, Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, handed on his preaching to us in written form”

Justin identified Mark’s Gospel with Peter Early Christian apologist, Justin Martyr, wrote “Dialogue with Trypho” (approximately 150AD) and included this interesting passage:
“It is said that He [Jesus] changed the name of one of the apostles to Peter; and it is written in his memoirs that He changed the names of others, two brothers, the sons of Zebedee, to Boanerges, which means ‘sons of thunder’….”

Justin, therefore, identified a particular Gospel as the ‘memoir’ of Peter and said this memoir described the sons of Zebedee as the ‘sons of thunder’. Only Mark’s Gospel describes John and James in this way, so it is reasonable to assume that the Gospel of Mark is the memoir of Peter.
Clement said Mark recorded Peter’s Roman preaching Clement of Alexandria (150-215AD) wrote a book entitled “Hypotyposeis” (Ecclesiastical History Book 2 Chapter 15). In this ancient book, Clement refers to a tradition handed down from the “elders from the beginning”:

“And so great a joy of light shone upon the minds of the hearers of Peter that they were not satisfied with merely a single hearing or with the unwritten teaching of the divine gospel, but with all sorts of entreaties they besought Mark, who was a follower of Peter and whose gospel is extant, to leave behind with them in writing a record of the teaching passed on to them orally; and they did not cease until they had prevailed upon the man and so became responsible for the Scripture for reading in the churches.”

Eusebius also wrote an additional detail (Ecclesiastical History Book 6 Chapter 14) related to Mark’s work with Peter:

“The Gospel according to Mark had this occasion. As Peter had preached the Word publicly at Rome, and declared the Gospel by 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. And having composed the Gospel he gave it to those who had requested it. When Peter learned of this, he neither directly forbade nor encouraged it.”

This additional piece of information related to Peter’s reaction to Mark’s work is important, because it demonstrates that Clement is not simply repeating the information first established by Papias, but seems to have an additional source that provided him with something more, and something slightly different than Papias.

Tertullian affirmed Peter’s influence on the Gospel of Mark Early Christian theologian and apologist, Tertullian (160-225AD), wrote a book that refuted the theology and authority of Marcion. The book was appropriately called, “Against Marcion” (Marcion was a Jew-hater, who rejected the Old Testament, and any bits of the New Testament, books or passages, which disagreed with him.) and in Book 4 Chapter 5, he described the Gospel of Mark:

“While that [gospel] which Mark published may be affirmed to be Peter’s whose interpreter Mark was.”

 



The Muratorian Fragment confirmed Mark’s relationship to Peter. Commonly dated to approximately 170AD, the first line reads:
“But he was present among them, and so he put [the facts down in his Gospel]”

This appears to be a reference to Mark’s presence at Peter’s talks and sermons in Rome, and the fact that he then recorded these messages then became the Gospel of Mark.


Origen attributed Mark’s Gospel to Peter Eusebius (Ecclesiastical History Book 6 Chapter 25) quoted a Gospel Commentary written by Origen (an early church father and theologian who lived 185-254AD) that explains the origin of the Gospels. This commentary also attributes the Gospel of Mark to Peter:

“In his first book on Matthew’s Gospel, maintaining the Canon of the Church, he testifies that he knows only four Gospels, writing as follows: Among the four Gospels, which are the only indisputable ones in the Church of God under heaven, I have learned by tradition that the first was written by Matthew, who was once a publican, but afterwards an apostle of Jesus Christ, and it was prepared for the converts from Judaism, and published in the Hebrew language. The second is by Mark, who composed it according to the instructions of Peter, who in his Catholic epistle acknowledges him as a son, saying, ‘The church that is at Babylon elected together with you, salutes you, and so does Marcus, my son.’ 1 Peter 5:13 And the third by Luke, the Gospel commended by Paul, and composed for Gentile converts. Last of all that by John.”

An Anti-Marcionite Prologue affirmed Peter’s connection to Mark There are three Gospel ‘prologues’ that appear in many Latin Bibles from antiquity. Known as the “Anti-Marcionite Prologues”, they date to the 4th century or earlier. The prologue for the Gospel of Mark is particularly interesting:

“Mark declared, who is called ‘stump-fingered,’ because he had rather small fingers in comparison with the stature of the rest of his body. He was the interpreter of Peter. After the death of Peter himself he wrote down this same gospel in the regions of Italy.”

Now, it can be argued that Papias’ description of Mark’s collaboration with Peter in Rome is the earliest description available to us. In fact, skeptics have tried to argue that later Church sources are simply parroting Papias when they connect Mark to Peter. But there is no evidence to suggest that Papias is the sole source of information related to Peter and Mark, particularly when considering the slight variations in the subsequent attributions (such as Clement’s version).

 The subtle differences suggest that the claims came from different original sources. In addition, Justin Martyr’s tangential reference to the ‘sons of thunder’ strengthens the support for Peter’s involvement coming from a source other than Papias (who never makes this connection). In essence, a claim of dependency on Papias lacks specific evidence, and even if this were the case, there is no reason to doubt the accuracy of Papias’ original claim in the first place. The consistent record of history identifies Mark’s Gospel as a memoir of Peter’s life with Jesus.

J. Warner Wallace is a Cold-Case Detective, a Christian Case Maker, and the author of Cold-Case Christianity - See more at: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/is-marks-gospel-an-early-memoir-of-the-apostle-peter/#sthash.NgyiQIOC.dpuf






Father God, amazing discoveries of this generation. Continue to spread Your Holy Spirit to this Generation and the next that Your Love might be fully known to the ones we Love and the circle continues to grow. In Jesus we pray, Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD! 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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