03/28/2021 – Day 315 – Peter 1 – 3 / To A Persecuted Church –
From Halley’s Bible Handbook:
“Nero’s Persecution of Christians, A.D. 64 – 67, was very severe and around Rome, but not general over the Empire. However the example of the Emperor encouraged the enemies of Christians everywhere to take advantage for the slightest pretext to Persecute. It was a trying time. The Church was about 35 years old. It had suffered persecutions in various localities at the hands of local authorities. But now, Imperial Rome, which had hitherto been indifferent, even in some cases friendly, had accused the Church of a terrible crime, and was undertaking to punish it. (See page 635).
The Church was undergoing a world trial (5:9). It seemed as if the end had come. It was literally a “fiery trial” (4:12). Christians were burned nightly in Nero’s gardens. It did look like the Devil was a roaring lion (5:8), was about to devour the Church.
It is thought, possibly, that Peter may have written this Letter immediately after Paul’s maryrdom, about A.D. 66, and sent it by Silas (5:12), who had been one of Paul’s helpers, to these Churches which Paul had founded , to encourage them to bear up under the Suffering. Silas personally carrying the news of Paul’s martyrdom to Paul’s Churches.
Thus the Epistle was born in the atmosphere of Suffering, shortly before Peter’s maryrdom, exhorting Christians not to think it strange that they had to Suffer, reminding them that Christ did his work by Suffering.
THe ‘Quo Vadis’ tradition has it that Peter, being overcome by the solicitation of friends to save himself, was fleeing from Rome, and in the night, out on the Appian Way, in a vision, he met Jesus, and said, “Lord whither goest thou? ” Jesus answered, “I am going to Rome to be Crucified again.” Peter, utterly ashamed and humiliated , returned to the city, and was Crucified head downward, feeling not worthy to be Crucified as his Lord was. This is only a tradition, and we do not know how much of historical fact it may contain.
Tradition also has it that Peter’s wife, named Concordia, or Perpetua, suffered martyrdom, as Peter encouraged her to be brave, saying, “Remember, dear, our Lord.”
Just a few years ago, we went to the theatre to see “The Apostle Paul”. It depicts this context , including an early scene , showing Christians being torched nightly to light Nero’s gardens. Peter did not make an appearance in the movie, but Luke was shown in a key scene visiting Paul in prison in Rome, asking for direction for the Church during the perilous times.
Peter 1:8: “… whom having not seen you love. (Jesus Christ) Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith – the salvation of your souls.”
This footnote is from Bishop Fulton J. Sheen. I remember as a kid watching Bishop Sheen on local Chicago television for a 30 minute program, weekly as I recall in the early 60s. Later in life, I read one of his books. He makes a distinction in this footnote that is solely needed in our present day society, confused as we are:
“1:8 The source of joy. “Joy is not the same as pleasure or happiness. A wicked and evil man may have pleasure, while any ordinary man is capable of being happy. Pleasure generally comes from things, and always through the senses, happiness comes from humans through fellowship. Joy comes from loving God and neighbor. Pleasure is quick and violent, like a flash of lightning. Joy is steady and abiding, like a fixed star. Pleasure depends on external circumstances, such as money, food, travel, etc. Joy is independent of them, for it comes from a good conscience and love of God.” Fulton J. Sheen
Isn’t that an awesome quote! Soli Deo Gloria!
Love,
Jimmy