The best evidence from both extrabiblical and secular historical sources is that Peter and Paul both died in Rome during the Neronian Persecutions.[1] Peter probably arrived in Rome around the early 60s AD.[2] The Great Fire of Rome occurred during the summer of AD 64.[3] Many of the citizens of Rome blamed the devastating fire on Nero. They believed that under orders of Nero, his agents started the fire to clear space for Nero’s new building projects. Under pressure, Nero looked for a scapegoat, which he found in the early Christians. The Roman Historian Tacitus wrote:
Nothing that the emperor did – neither gifts to the crowds nor sacrifices to the gods – could overcome the popular belief that he had ordered the fire to be set. To squelch the rumor, he accused a class of people called Christians, who were despised by the people for their crimes, and afflicted the most elaborate tortures on them. Christus, the origin of the name, was crucified by the procurator Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius. Though checked for a time, this deadly superstition erupted again not only in Judea, where the evil originated, but even in Rome, where everything hideous and shameful flows together and is relished.
First those who pleaded guilty were arrested. Then, on their testimony, a huge crowd of people were convicted, not so much of arson as of hatred of mankind. Disgrace was heaped on their deaths. Covered in the pelts of wild animals, they were torn to death by dogs, or were crucified, or were set on fire as torches when the daylight had faded…. However, people began to feel sympathy for them, even though they were criminals deserving extreme punishment as an example. It seemed that they were being destroyed not for the public good but to satisfy one man’s [Nero’s] cruelty.[4] (Emphasis added.)
The best evidence is that Peter was crucified near or on Vatican Hill, and Paul was executed by decapitation on the road leading to Ostia sometime between AD 64-68.[5] Read in this light, First and Second Peter provide very important insights into our understanding Peter’s ministry. Both letters were written to Peter’s beloved sheep who resided in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (in present-day Turkey) (1 Pet. 1:1; 2 Pet. 3:1). In Second Peter, we read that Peter was anticipating his imminent death by crucifixion (2 Pet. 1:13-15). Peter wrote the letters so that his beloved sheep could always recall what he had taught them over the many years of his ministry to them. Specifically, Peter indicated in his letter that he was writing from a city he code-named Babylon (1 Pet. 5:13). This must be understood figuratively. Metaphorically, “Babylon” refers to a city that is particularly hostile to the purposes and people of God. In the Book of Revelation, it refers to Jerusalem, and in Peter’s letter, it refers to Rome.
Of particular interest in this blog post, I want to discuss in more detail the recipients of Peter’s letters. Peter described them as the “chosen” or “elected” (1 Peter 1:1). The Greek word eklektos is an adjective, meaning “picked out, chosen.”[6] Interestingly, the Blue Letter Bible also notes that it can be defined as “the best of its kind or class, excellence or preeminent: applied to certain individual Christians”.[7] At 1 Peter 2:9, Peter had this to say about his largely Gentile audience: “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light.” As Paul explained, Christians do not replace Israel, they are grafted into Israel’s rich heritage (Rom. 11:17). But Paul also made a clear warning to the Gentile believers. If they were disobedient, if they did not continue in faith, they could be “cut off” (Rom. 11:22). This does not mean that they are going to Hades after death. As explained many times in my other blog posts, this refers to discipline and loss of blessing.
Over the Centuries, there has been much confusion and controversy surrounding the Doctrine of Election and Predestination. Some have, in my opinion, wrongly concluded that certain humans are arbitrarily chosen to go to Heaven, and others are chosen to go to Hades. However, the “chosen” or “elected” are best understood as referring to a certain class of faithful and obedient Christians. The Book of Revelation refers to them as the 144,000. I call them the Fraternity of Faithful Believers. As Paul explained, “For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel” (Rom. 9:6). Jesus explained that “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt. 22:14). In other words, many believe, but few remain faithful. Many receive the message that Jesus is the Christ, but few remain faithful until the end. They fall away like the Israel of old, whose bodies were strewn all over the desert and who did not enter into the Promised Land of blessing. As Paul further explained, “God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew [proginosko]” (Rom. 11:2). Being omniscient, God has foreknowledge of who will remain faithful. As Paul further explained, “For those whom He [God] foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (Rom. 8:29-30). Romans 8:29-30 refers back to a certain class of Christians identified in Romans 8:28 – “those who love God” (Rom. 8:28). The faithful (those who love God) are predestined for a special glorification (resurrection).
At the moment of first believing, every new believer receives a calling to be a blessing to others and to receive a special blessing (1 Pet. 3:9). We are called to be holy (1 Pet. 1:15). We are called out of darkness and into His marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9). We are called to share in Christ’s eternal glory (1 Pet. 5:10). Unfortunately, most stumble in their walk of faith “because they are disobedient to the word” (1 Pet. 2:8).
The Fraternity of Faithful Believers is a major and redundant theme of Scripture. Some preeminent examples are cataloged at Hebrews, Chapter 11. They were foreshadowed in the Old Testament by such words and ideas as the “first fruits,” “firstborn,” “remnant,” “Levitical priesthood,” and the experiential “righteous.” Both of Peter’s letters were specifically written to such unique, chosen believers, who were located in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1 Pet. 1:1; 2 Pet. 3:1). These believers had an expectation of special blessings awaiting them in Heaven (1 Pet. 1:4). In this life, they faced their share of trials and tribulations (1 Pet. 1:7). However, their faith was more valuable than gold, and they anticipated “praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 7). Peter described them as loving Christ (1 Pet. 1:8). Because of their faith, they had fantastic joy (1 Pet. 1:9). Because of their spiritual growth, they were experiencing the “salvation of [their] souls” (1 Pet. 1:9). As I explained in one of my earlier blogs, salvation is a continuum. It includes the first moment someone believes that Jesus is the Christ, and it includes the believer’s spiritual growth. As “obedient children,” Peter’s audience was warned to not be conformed to how humans are inclined to function (1 Pet.1:14), and we are wise to follow the same advice. Most humans live according to their lusts (1 Pet. 1:14). As James explained, we easily move from a normal desire to lust, and from lust, we move to sin, and from sin, we move to spiritual death (or an insensitivity to God) (Jas. 1:14-15). In fact, Peter taught his beloved sheep to be holy because God is holy (1 Pet. 1:16). Of course, we can be holy only by walking by God’s Spirit. Peter warned that we will all face the judgment of God. Our works will be judged (1 Pet. 1:17). In other words, how we function is very important. However, Peter gave this unique group of believers the highest of praise. Peter said that they had “purified [their] souls in obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brothers and sisters” (1 Pet. 1:22). Our calling and goal is all about loving God and those around us.
It is hard to imagine how Peter could have been more complementary to these unique believers addressed in his letters. Believers like them are God’s chosen people to represent God to all humanity throughout the eons of time to come. They are a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, a people for God’s special possession. They are called to proclaim the excellencies of God. They are the authentic, faithful Israel. The formation of this unique People of God has been a major component of God’s will and plan from the beginning. Ancient Israel was just a shadow of this greater reality, which has been God’s plan all along. It has been God’s plan from the beginning that He will use human agents to rule over His creation. However, such a mission is impossible to achieve without the Spirit and Word. As Peter taught, we are required to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). We must yearn for the pure milk of the Word by which we grow in respect to our salvation (1 Pet. 2:2).
[1] Bockmuehl, Markus. Simon Peter in Scripture and Memory. iPad Ed, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, MI, 2012, pp. 102-111 of 204.
[2] Bochmuehl, p. 102 of 204.
[3] Bell, Jr., Albert. Exploring the New Testament World. Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1998, p. 65.
[4] Bell, Jr., p. 65 (quoting, Tacitus, Annalas 15.44).
[5] Bochmuehl, pp. 102-103 of 204.
[6] “G1588 – eklektos – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NASB20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 17 May, 2021. <https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1588&t=NASB20>.
[7] “G1588 – eklektos – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NASB20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 17 May, 2021. <https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1588&t=NASB20>.
