Peter And John's Last Years

Peter and John… 1 Running head: PETER AND JOHN’S LAST YEARS

Peter and John’s Last Years Susana Silvestri Grand Canyon University BIB123 – New Testament History June 27, 2009

Peter and John… 2 Peter and John’s Last Years

Introduction Peter and John were part of the twelve disciples that help to shape and build the church of the early days. Peter and John Peter, James and John were the only witnesses of the raising of Jairu’s daughter, of the Transfiguration and of the Agony in Gethsemane. Both of them were sent into the city to make the preparation for the final Passover meal. At the meal itself, John’s place was next to Jesus on whose chest he leaned. John was also that "other disciple" who with Peter followed Jesus after the arrest into the palace of the high-priest. John alone remained near Jesus at the foot of the cross on Calvary with Jesus’ mother, Mary, and took Mary into his care as the last legacy of Jesus. After the Resurrection, John and Peter were the first of the disciples to run towards the tomb, John was the first of the apostles to believe that Jesus had truly risen. After Jesus’ Ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit, John and Peter, took a prominent part in the founding and guidance of the church. John and Peter are thrown into prison. They also visited the newly converted in Samaria. John went to Ephesus and wrote the three epistles, and then he was banished by the Roman authorities to the Greek island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. According to Tertullian John was banished after being plunged into boiling oil in Rome and suffering nothing from it. After witnessing this miracle, the entire coliseum converted to Christianity.

Peter and John… 3 John founded and built churches throughout all Asia, and worn out by old age, died in the sixty-eight year after our Lord's passion and was buried near the same city (Ephesus). Peter became the first apostle ordained by Jesus in the early church, the first Pope from 30 AD to 64 AD, he wrote two canonical epistles, and a martyr under Nero. Peter delivered a significant open-air sermon during Pentecost; he took the lead in selecting a replacement for Judas Iscariot. He undertook a missionary journey to Lydda, Joppa and Caesarea, becoming instrumental in the decision to evangelize the Gentiles. Peter labored in Rome during the last portion of his life, and there ended his earthly course by martyrdom. During the final days of Peter in Rome, he 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, he converted his jailers, Processus, Martinianus, and forty-seven others. Because of the persecution, Peter was crucified upside down in Rome. When Peter saw his own wife led out to die, he rejoiced because of her directive and her return home, and called to her very encouragingly and comfortingly, addressing her by name, and saying, "O thou, remember the Lord." Conclusion After prosecution, accusations, incarceration and age, these two Apostles performed their assigned duties and were able to teach the word of the Lord.

Peter and John… 4 References Life Applications Study Bible NIV (2005), Carol Stream Inc. Tyndale, Publishers, Pages 2063, 2089, 2099, 2111, 2117, 2128, 2131, 2134, 2138 New American Standard Bible – Updated Edition. (1997). Published by Foundation Publication, Inc. - Anaheim, California. Richard L. Niswonger, New Testament History (1998). 332 Pages. Published by A Zondervan Publication., Chapters 14 and 15