RomeSweetHome wrote:I have seen the Picture already that Picture doesnt prove anything to me.
St Peter and the papal succession that was based upon the Catholic insistence that the apostle was the first pope! In the Protestant ardent clamor to shoot down the theory of papal succession, they tried to place Peter as FAR AWAY from Rome and as possible.
Have you read the article? I could care less if the RCC wants to establish a line of Bishops back to Peter. However, the historical evidence found in
real histories establishes that the RCC was not a seperate church until about 381 A.D. History can establish that the apostolic succession is the result of revisionist histories not actual truth.
There is no proof, Biblically speaking, that Peter ever went near Rome! The New Testament tells us he went to Antioch, Samaria, Joppa, Caesarea, and other places, but not to Rome! This is a strange omission, especially since Rome was considered the most important city in the world!
There is no proof, Biblically speaking, that Peter DIDN'T go to Rome! Why can't the phrase "other places" include Rome? This is typical of the arguments put forth by a majority of Protestants which just can't seem to understand that the presence of Peter in Rome does not have to mean he became the first pope!
The RCC teaches that Peter
was the first Bishop of Rome and that he was the first Pope. We know from history the Bishop of Rome did not control the church until the RCC and the eastern church split. According to the RCC this happened in 1054 A.D. That is over 1,000 years where church councils made the decisions not just the RCC. There were 5 Patriarchies that had equal authority over there individual territories. Those Patriarchies were Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria, and Jerusalem with Rome given the position of "President" because Rome was the largest city and the historical capitol of the Roman Empire; not because Rome was the first seat of any pope.
Serious scholarship show that the passage of time has not neglected the overwhelming evidence that Peter did indeed visit Rome and die there.
A considerable amount of evidence has been uncovered by the archaeologist's proving a belief in Peter's residence and death in Rome.
Again and again, the figures of Peter and Paul are found in paintings, artwork, beakers and bowls attributed to the fourth century (Peter: Prince of Apostles, p. 615).
About two miles from Rome, on the Via Appia, stands the ancient church of St. Sebastian. This church was originally called the Basilica of the Apostles because of the tradition that the bodies of Peter and Paul were concealed there in a vault during the Valerian persecution (253-260 A.D.).
The first attempts to excavate under this church were made in 1892. The excavators discovered an old roman house with a row of tombs in front which dated from the 1st and 2nd centuries. An inscription showed this building to be the house of Hermes (Romans 16:14); and some 80 references to Peter were uncovered at this spot dating back to at least the 3rd century. This is clear proof that at an early date the name of Peter was associated with this location.
Close by, two fragments of sarcophagi were unearthed showing the figure of Peter.
In the catacombs of Rome the memory of Peter is widespread. Second only in importance to Christ as a subject of catacombal art, Peter is portrayed on the moldering walls of three eerie underground passageways more then 300 times! There are almost 30 different scenes and incidents from Peter's life, all from the Gospels -- depicted here beneath the Imperial City (See Catacombs, by Hertling & Kirschbaum. Pp. 242-244).
In an abbreviated form, the apostle's name was found present, at least 20 times, on the "Graffiti Wall" next to Peter's grave beneath the high altar of St. Peters in the Vatican. Most often, his initials were arranged as a monogram, which has been found all over Rome "scratched in ancient monuments, inked onto old manuscripts, worked subtly into wall mosaics, incised on the margins of public signs, roughly stamped on medals, coins, rings, statuettes, pots and similar household wares, even painted on gaming boards" (The Bones of St. Peter, p. 97).
The memory of St Peter's stay and death in Rome is to be found in many different places all around Rome.
Peace
All this is speculation. The article with the picture you state you have seen before documents the discovery of Peter's ossuary by a
Catholic priest not by a Prostestant out to discount and disprove the RCC's apostolic succession. By Paul's own words we can surmise that the church in Rome
was not established by Peter.
Rom 15:14-21
14 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able also to admonish one another. 15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points, so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, that my offering of the Gentiles might become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. 18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation; 21 but as it is written,
"They who had no news of Him shall see,
And they who have not heard shall understand." NAS
Every epistle written by Paul was written to churches or people who were converted by Paul's preaching.
Rom 16:3-16
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; 5 also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. NAS
Paul's greetings are to people who were converted by Paul in cities other than Rome. It is reasonable to believe that Priscilla and Aquilla were the first Christian's in Rome and the couple who established the church in Rome. These two were Paul's converts.
Acts 18:2-4
2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, 3 and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working; for by trade they were tent-makers. 4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
NAS
As I stated I could care less what the RCC wants to believe, however, the truth is what Jesus taught:
John 8:31-32
"If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. "NAS
It is
truth that sets us free and the traditions of men that keep us in bondage to rules and regulations that void God's grace.