[AndrewC]

The disillusioned Peter who saw his rabbi railroaded and executed, and had no idea that his grave would be empty a few days later, is no example for Christians to emulate.

Mat 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Mat 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

Mat 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

I wouldn't automatically consign anyone to hell for lying about his faith, but Christian persecution under Islamic rule isn't terribly different from Christian persecution under Roman rule,

Christians presently in free countries do not meet in catacombs.

[RansomOttawa]

Mat 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

As the Gospels say in more than one place, neither Peter nor the rest of the disciples really got the message until after the resurrection. Hindsight being 20/20 and all.

Christians presently in free countries do not meet in catacombs.

Whoever said that Saudi Arabia was a free country?