Pope Peter

By Peter Paul Rubens - Originally from https://commons.wikimedia.org

Peter's birth name was actually Simon, or Symeon in Greek. According to the Gospel of John from the Bible, Peter was born in Bethsaida. While its exact location has been lost to history, Bethsaida is traditionally known as a fishing village located on Lake Genasareth. His father's name is given as 'Jonah' or 'Jonas.' Peter had at least one sibling, Andrew, who later accompanied Simon when he joined Jesus' mission throughout Israel.

St. John's Gospel indicates that Simon and Andrew were initially disciples of a man named John the Baptist. It was the friendship with John the Baptist that brought Jesus to Andrew's attention. Ultimately, Andrew introduced Simon to Jesus. Andrew introduced Jesus as "the Messiah." Simon was initially skeptical of Jesus as being the Messiah as everyone had claimed. Simon spent a short amount of time with Jesus before returning home.

Soon after, Jesus returned to Andrew and Simon and said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fisher's of men." Still unsure of this man Jesus, Simon asked for a sign of Jesus' divinity. Jesus instructed Simon to lower his nets into the water. Simon was amazed to catch a huge number of fish. Immediately afterwards Simon, Andrew and another set of brothers who lived in the area, named James and John, joined Jesus in his ministry to become the first of what are now known as the Twelve Apostles.

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Almost immediately upon joining Jesus' ministry, Simon had become well known as a leader among the Apostles. Simon's leadership was recognized by Jesus who bestowed a special authority to Simon. The Bible supports this acknowledgement in that Simon, according to almost all variations of Scripture over time, was the spokesman for the Apostles. In addition to being their spokesman, Simon was also privy to some of the more intimate events with Jesus, which included the raising of Jairus' daughter, the Transfiguration and Agony in the Garden.

After having spent a little while, Jesus asked his disciples who the Son of Man was. Simon replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." It was at this moment that Jesus bestowed upon Simon the name Peter, telling him "... and I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church."

It is at this moment the papacy of the Catholic Church traditionally begins. This is an amazing event, as Peter has now been appointed by Jesus as the one who will carry on the Word of God and be a leader to the followers of the faith. This event also gives Peter the distinction of being the only recognized Pope of the Catholic Church to have been appointed as Pope by Jesus himself. All subsequent Popes were elected by 'earthly' men.

As we have come to believe, Jesus predicts his arrest and death at the Last Supper. It was then that Jesus gave the disciples their final lesson before his impending arrest and execution. Jesus went around the room washing each of the disciple's feet. He began with Peter. This washing of the disciple's feet by Jesus is seen by many as the summit of His teachings in explaining the relationship between master and student, and would serve Peter well later in his own mission.

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Jesus revealed many other things to the Apostles at the Last Supper. He revealed he would be incarcerated and that dark days were ahead. Peter attempted to be confident and declared his desire to protect Jesus at any cost. Peter was informed that He himself would rebuke Jesus three times during this ordeal. "Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crows, thou shalt deny me thrice." Despite his dreary prediction as to the fate of Peter, Jesus also named Peter as the one who would strengthen the disciples after Jesus' death. As always, Jesus was correct and Peter indeed did deny Jesus three times on the night of his arrest and crucifixion.

In remaining consistent with his position as leader among the Apostles, Peter was the first one notified of Jesus' disappearance from the tomb as well as being the first Apostle to enter the tomb itself. Peter was the one charged with leading the selection of of Judas' replacement. Later, Peter has the opportunity to reaffirm his love and devotion to Jesus three times; an effort to counteract his previous three denials of Jesus.

The Acts of the Apostles describe Peter as being instrumental in spreading God's message after Jesus' death. His travels took him throughout Jerusalem, Judea and as far north as Syria. Peter was the one who spoke to the others during the Pentecost. This was Peter's first significant sermon, and he converted many, many people on that day. Peter was also blessed with the ability to perform miracles. His actions became known throughout Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. Peter was instrumental in spreading the message of Jesus, and undertook missionary trips to Lydda, Joppa and Caesara.

Peter's message and presence became so prevalent he was eventually arraigned twice by the priests of the Sanhedrin. He openly defied them and eventually was released from his captivity. He was influential in assisting early Church leaders in making the decisions to evangelize the Gentiles. The Gentiles were people in Israel who did not adhere to Jewish customs, especially that of circumcision. Nonetheless, Peter evangelized to them and eventually many Gentiles, beginning with a man named Cornelius, converted to Christianity. This event provides another clear example of Peter's leadership and authority within the early Christian movement.

Between the years 42-44 AD, Herod Agrippa I began a new persecution against the Christians. Eventually Peter was imprisoned. Miraculously, Peter escaped from his imprisonment and returned tho the home of one of his disciples. Peter clearly understood at this point that to stay meant certain death. He decided to go to "another place" to continue his ministry. There is little mentioned of Peter in the Bible from this point on, as the story of the Christians begins to focus on the ministry of Paul. However, the Bible does give clues about some of the travels Peter engaged in, spreading the word of Jesus in Antioch and later in Corinth.

Tradition holds that Jesus had revealed to Peter that he would be crucified. Historical evidence suggests that Nero, the emperor of Rome during the year 64 AD, blamed the Christians for the Great Fire of Rome. Peter was in Rome during this time. Nero ordered the death of Peter to which Peter requested crucifixion upside down. Therefore, Rome is traditionally known as the location of the martyrdom of Peter. The Vatican, home to the current Pope of the Catholic Church, is believed to have been built at the location of Peter's crucifixion. The rotunda in front of the main building of the Vatican is now known as St. Peter's Square.

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It should be noted Peter was not referred to as a bishop, or Pope, during his lifetime. It is most likely Peter would have rejected such a title; however, Catholic tradition recognizes and holds Peter up as the spiritual and administrative leader of the early Christian movement, much like the Holy Father is recognized as today. There are volumes of books, articles and encyclicals written by other early Church participants, disciples of the Apostles and historians who all point to Peter as the head of the early Church. Therefore, it is with Peter the Catholic Church recognizes as the first Holy Father, or Pope.

Peter has posthumously been awarded many distinctions. There are many feast days within the Catholic Church held in his honor. Peter has also been identified as a patron saint for many occupations, ailments, institutions and locations. Peter's feast day is traditionally celebrated on June 29, which is shared with Saint Paul. This traditions dates back to as early as the fourth century in Rome.

Many theories and counter- theories have emerged over the past two thousand years that both support and deny Peter's special place in the heart of Jesus and the early Christians. Nonetheless, he remains both a powerful symbol of the fallibility of the flesh and perseverance of the human spirit. To most people, Peter embodies the fullness of human life: fear, bravery, intelligence, faith, etc. The exact details of Peter's life may never be fully known; however he remains an inspirational figure in many Christian traditions, most notably as the beginning of one of the most inspirational and controversial traditions in modern history, that of Pope.