Saint Peter
Saint Peter[5] (died between AD 64 and 68[1]), also known as Simon Peter, Simeon, Simon (/ˈsaɪmən/
(About this soundlisten)), Cephas (/ˈsiːfəs/[6]), or Peter the Apostle, was one of the Twelve Apostles of
Jesus Christ, and one of the first leaders of the early Church.
According to Christian tradition, Peter was crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero. He is traditionally
counted as the first bishop of Rome—or pope—a nd also by Eastern Christian tradition as the first
patriarch of Antioch. The ancient Christian churches all venerate Peter as a major saint and as the
founder of the Church of Antioch and the Diocese of Rome,[1] but differ in their attitudes regarding the
authority of his successors. According to Catholic teaching, Jesus promised Peter a special position in the
Church.[7]
In the New Testament, Peter appears repeatedly and prominently in all four gospels as well as the Acts
of the Apostles. He is the brother of Saint Andrew, and both brothers were fishermen. The Gospel of
Mark in particular was traditionally thought to show the influence of Peter's preaching and eyewitness
memories. He is also mentioned, under either the name Peter or Cephas, in Paul's First Letter to the
Corinthians and the Epistle to the Galatians. The New Testament also includes two general epistles, First
Peter and Second Peter, that are traditionally attributed to him, but modern scholarship generally
rejects the Petrine authorship of both.[8]
Outside of the New Testament, several apocryphal books were later attributed to him, in particular the
Acts of Peter, Gospel of Peter, Preaching of Peter, Apocalypse of Peter, and Judgment of Peter, although
scholars believe these works to be pseudoepigrapha.[9][10][11]
Jerusalem ekklēsia[edit]
See also: Flight to Pella
The Jerusalem Church was an early Christian community located in Jerusalem, of which James the Just,
the brother of Jesus, and Peter were leaders. Paul was in contact with this community.[47] Legitimised
by Jesus' appearance, Peter was the first leader of the Jerusalem ekklēsia.[48][49] He was soon eclipsed
in this leadership by James the Just, "the Brother of the Lord,"[50][51] which may explain why the early
texts contain scarce information about Peter.[51] According to Lüdemann, in the discussions about the
strictness of adherence to the Jewish Law, the more conservative faction of James the Just took the
overhand over the more liberal position of Peter, who soon lost influence.[51] According to Dunn, this
was not an "usurpation of power," but a consequence of Peter's involvement in missionary activities.
[52]
According to Eusebius' Church History 4.5.3–4: the first 15 Christian Bishops of Jerusalem were "of the
circumcision". The Romans destroyed the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem in year 135 during the Bar
Kokhba revolt,[53] but it is traditionally believed the Jerusalem Christians waited out the Jewish–Roman
wars in Pella in the Decapolis.[54]
