Pod Prep : 5-11-18
DISCOVERY OF PETER'S BONES IN ROME AUTHENTICATED BY POPE FRANCIS
The internet is buzzing about Pope Francis authenticating the latest discovery of Peter's bones. It is a fascinating story of an American billionaire and an Italian Archaeologist who worked for many years. They found the bones in Rome and an inscription that was translated by the one person who could translate it, the brilliant archaeologist, Margherita Guarducci. The message read “ Peter is here”. This discovery contradicts an earlier discovery of Peter's bones. The supporting evidence has convinced the current Pope to authenticate this find. Such finds of ancient sacred relics in this world gives the owner authenticity and power. In the 11th century ancient relics and archaeological findings were connected with lots of relic trafficking and forgeries. These findings did help bolster the existence of Christianity in various cities of the ancient world. What does God think of these relics as spiritual items and icons?
Jude 1:8 Likewise, indeed, also these dreaming ones even defile flesh, and despise rulership, and speak evil of glories. 9 But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the Devil, he argued about the body of Moses, he dared not bring a judgment of blasphemy, but said, Let the Lord rebuke you! (MKJV)
Clearly the devil was prevented by archangel Michael from taking and using the body and bones of Moses for idolatrous purposes. Moses is an even greater Biblical figure than Peter. No doubt evil forces would have used Moses' bones as an idol. People would have started looking to the bones of Moses instead of the true God. They would have used the bones like a magic talisman. Obviously God stopped that plan. God does not like using ancient relics for spiritual purposes. But this world has and will continue to do so. God does not want any idols used to worship Him. This includes even pictures of what we think God looks like.
De 5:8 You shall not make a graven image for you, any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or in the earth beneath, or in the waters beneath the earth. 9 You shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them. For I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me...
1Co 10:14 Therefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. (MKJV)
WHETHER THEY HAVE PETER'S BONES OR NOT, BONES DO NOT ADVANCE TRUE WORSHIP. True Christianity is based on the Bible. However the Roman Catholic Church and the Papal line of succession is strengthened in this world by the belief that they have finally got Peter's real bones.
PETER WAS NEVER THE UNDISPUTED LEADER OF ALL THE APOSTLES.
Peter is clearly a leader among the Apostles and often the first one to speak up at events like Pentecost. However he was not THE LEADER. Did the other Apostles treat Peter like he was their leader? They did not treat him in this manner. During the first major church conference in the history of the church regarding gentiles being exempted from circumcision, James was clearly the leader, and not Peter.
Ac 15:13 And after they were silent, JAMES answered, saying, Men, brothers, listen to me. 17 so those men who are left might seek after the Lord, and all the nations on whom My name has been called, says the Lord, who does all these things." 19 Therefore MY JUDGMENT is that we do not trouble those who have turned to God from among the nations, (MKJV)
Later the Apostles Paul publicly and openly rebuked Peter for his ethnic prejudice brought on by pressure from visiting prejudiced Jews from Jerusalem.
If Peter was on a throne of rulership he would neither have feared the other Jews nor have been openly rebuked by Paul. Paul would have done it privately.
Ga 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. (KJV)
Papal succession, maybe enhanced by the bones of Peter but it is not supported by the Bible. Peter was a great Apostle and leader of the faithful. He was not considered during his lifetime as THE leader among all the other Apostles. Peter never claimed any such power.
1Pe 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; {which...: or, as much as in you is} 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. {being lords over: or, overruling} (KJV)
Peter said himself, at Pentecost that Jesus is the Rock upon which the church was built. Note Acts 4:11-12.
Ac 4:11 This is the Stone which you builders have counted worthless, and He has become the Head of the Corner. 12 And there is salvation in no other One; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (MKJV)
WAS THE APOSTLE PETER EVER IN THE CITY OF ROME OR LEADER CHURCH EMPIRE?
The answer is we do not know with absolute certainty about Peter ever being in Rome. The Bible in the Acts of the Apostles only tells of Paul being the first to arrive in Rome. One must rely upon secular history for both the presence of Peter in Rome and the ascendancy of the Bishop of Rome over other bishops.
Ac 28:16 And when we came into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the camp commander. But Paul was allowed to dwell by himself, with a soldier guarding him. 22 But we think it right to hear from you what you think. For truly as concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere. (MKJV)
It is clear that the people of Rome knew very little about Christianity until Paul arrived. The Bible only recognizes Paul as evangelizing the city of Rome. This is the last item mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. We must count on secular historians for Peter's work in the city of Rome. Most churches outside of the Roman Catholic Church do not accept the ascendancy of the Bishop of Rome. The problem with secular church history is that it is written by the winners. The dominant church powers of the first few centuries control much of church history. The true church of God was small and scattered and did not have a lot of power. God did not intend the church to become a huge, powerful, political force. Christianity would only become a great moral force in the world. We cannot be sure of Peter's work in Rome. Maybe he came later or maybe he did not come at all. The true church had no power to control the historical record. It was prophesied to happen that way. God's true church would be small and scattered, and most would find the path to Christ too difficult to walk. The church would be a small minority.
Mt 7:13 Go in through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are who go in through it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and constricted is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.(MKJV)
The true church would be separated from the world and not seeking worldly power in this age. The real CHURCH WOULD BE RELATIVELY SMALL. We believe much of what historians write about the church is of an apostate organization. Most of the apostasy took place after the life time of the Apostle Peter. He was not the first Pope. He was one of the leading Apostles but his bones convey no spiritual cache even if they are his bones. The Church he helped build would not be part of this world's society.
Joh 17:13 And now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world that they might ll have My joy fulfilled in them. 14 I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray for You to take them out of the world, but for You to keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (MKJV)
How did the true church of God get derailed and pushed out of the mainstream of this world's society? God allowed deceivers to come into the church to send large parts of the church into worldly, ungodly directions.
1Jo 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they were of us, they would have continued with us. But they WENT OUT so that it might be revealed that they were not all of us. (MKJV)
Later on as the deceivers gained more influence and followings they started to remove the true believers from among them. All such political maneuverings left the true church small and scattered and not noticed by historians.
3Jo 1:9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, did not receive us. 10 Therefore if I come, I will remember his deeds which he does, ranting against us with evil words. And not content with these, neither does he himself receive the brothers. And he forbids those who would, and CASTS THEM OUT of the church. (MKJV)
The Apostle John told those remaining with the full truth to reorganize around Demetrius.
3Jo 1:12 Demetrius has good report by all, and by the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our witness is true. (MKJV)
ARCHEOLOGY CAN BE VERY HELPFUL IN SUPPORTING THE TRUTH OF ANTIQUITY
Academia in the past boasted that the Bible was full of errors. The Bible contained information that could not be independently and historically verified. But a slew of archaeological discoveries has put a damper upon most of that boasting. Archaeology has provided the world with some fascinating and amazing affirmations of scriptures accuracy and trustworthiness. Israel today is an engine now unveiling many new archaeological discoveries.
THE NABONIDUS CYLINDER 550 BC is one. Critics of the Bible had claimed that Belshazzar was never king of Babylon and that Nabonidus was not his father. No evidence of this existed until the discovery of a magnificent cuneiform cylinder. The cylinder mentioned Belshazzar by name. Scholars were proven dead wrong. THE TEL DAN STELE 850 BC is another such discovery that supports the united kingdom of David. It was an upright stone monument with many details carved into it. Another monument with carvings to support details in the book of Kings including Kings Omri and David is the MEESHA STELE 846 BC. Digs in Israel have revealed hard physical evidence of Caiaphas the high priest and Pilate of the New Testament. They are the CAIAPHAS OSSOUARY AND THE PILATE DEDICATION STONE. Archaeology had to prove that writing even existed in the days of Moses when academia wished to deny it to discredit the Bible. Relics can be helpful but not as a spiritual icon or boost.
