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NASB | Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 3:28 For we maintain that an individual is justified by faith distinctly apart from works of the Law [the observance of which has nothing to do with justification, that is, being declared free of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]. |
Subject: What separates Evangelicals, Catholics? |
Bible Note: Part 2 RECENT EXCAVATIONS OF ST. PETER'S BASILICA IN ROME Since the end of the second world war great interest has been focused upon the excavations under the church of St. Peter in Rome. ... Scholars await full publication of all the results of the excavations before agreeing. Nevertheless, the general tendency of the scholarhsip today seems to be moving in the direction of accepting the Roman stay of Peter. ... Near the close of the gospel of John there is a hint given as to the manner of Peter's death. It agrees with the tradition which has been long with us that Nero had Peter crucified head-downward on the Vatican Hill. It says, "As long as you were young, you girded yourself and went wherever you chose, but when you have become old, you will stretch out your hands and another will gird you and carry you where you do not want to go." (Look this and the following verse up in your Bible. John 21:17-19) It is universally recognized that these words are intended as a prediction of the martyrdom of Peter for the following verses tell us that these words speak of the kind of death that Peter was going to die to glorify God. The phrase "stretching out of the hands" (John 21:18) may indicate the manner of execution, which is crucifixion. Finally, it would be well to note that in the entire scope of the very earliest Christian literature there is complete silence concerning the death of Peter. We certainly do not even have the slightest reference that points to any other place besides Rome which could be considered as the scene of his death. And in favor of Rome, there are two important traditions that he did actually die in Rome. In the second and third centuries when certain churches were in rivalry with those in Rome it never occurred to a single one of them to contest the claim of Rome that it was the scene of the martyrdom of Peter. Other writings (not official) concerning Peter's visit to Rome: "A certain Parun puts his house (aedes) at the disposal of Peter, as well as it's inner garden, which could hold 500 persons." "Maliciously condemned, Peter was cast into the horrible, fetid prison of the Mamertime. There, for 9 months, in absolute darkness, he endured monstrous torture manacled to a post." (This prison is also known as the 3,000 year old Tullian Keep.) "History also tells us the amazing fact that in spite of all the suffering Peter was subjected to, he converted his gaolers, Processus, Marinianus, and 47 others. Peter met his death at Rome by the hands of the murderous Romans, who crucified him, according to their fiendish manner. He refused to die in the same position as our Lord, declaring he was unworthy. Peter demanded to be crucified in the reverse position, with his head hanging downward. Ironically enough, this wish was gratified by the taunting Romans in Nero's circus A.D. 67." |