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Jerusalem Burial Cave Reveals: Apostle Simon Peter buried in the Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Jerusalem Christian Review ^ | 11-23-2003 | OP

Posted on 11/23/2003 3:39:24 AM PST by OrthodoxPresbyterian

Jerusalem Burial Cave Reveals:
Names, Testimonies of First Christians

by Jean Gilman

JERUSALEM, Israel - Does your heart quicken when you hear someone give a personal testimony about Jesus? Do you feel excited when you read about the ways the Lord has worked in someone's life? The first century catacomb, uncovered by archaeologist P. Bagatti on the Mount of Olives, contains inscriptions clearly indicating its use, "by the very first Christians in Jerusalem."

If you know the feeling of genuine excitement about the workings of the Lord, then you will be ecstatic to learn that archaeologists have found first-century dedications with the names Jesus, Matthias and "Simon Bar-Yonah" ("Peter son of Jonah") along with testimonials that bear direct witness to the Savior. A "head stone", found near the entrance to the first century catacomb, is inscribed with the sign of the cross.

Where were such inscriptions found? Etched in stone - in the sides of coffins found in catacombs (burial caves) of some first-century Christians on a mountain in Jerusalem called the Mount of Olives.

An inscription, found on a first century coffin bearing the sign of the cross, reads: "Shimon Bar Yonah" = "Simon [Peter] son of Jonah".

Like many other important early Christian discoveries in the Holy Land, these major finds were unearthed and the results published many decades ago. Then the discoveries were practically forgotten. Because of recent knowledge and understanding, these ancient tombs once again assume center stage, and their amazing "testimonies in stone" give some pleasant surprises about some of the earliest followers of Jesus.

The catacombs were found and excavated primarily by two well-known archaeologists, but their findings were later read and verified by other scholars such as Yigael Yadin, J. T. Milik and J. Finegan. The ossuaries (stone coffins), untouched for 2,000 years, as they were found by archaeologist P. Bagatti on the Mt. of Olives.

The first catacomb found near Bethany was investigated by renowned French archaeologist Charles Clermont-Ganneau. The other, a large burial cemetery unearthed near the modern Dominus Flevit Chapel, was excavated by Italian scholar, P. Bagatti.

Both archaeologists found evidence clearly dating the two catacombs to the first century AD, with the later finding coins minted by Governor Varius Gratus at the turn of the millenium (up to 15/16 AD). Evidence in both catacombs indicated their use for burial until the middle part of the first century AD, several years before the New Testament was written.

The first catacomb was a family tomb investigated by archaeologist Clermont-Ganneau on the Mount of Olives near the ancient town of Bethany. Clermont-Ganneau was surprised to find names which corresponded with names in the New Testament. Even more interesting were the signs of the cross etched on several of the ossuaries (stone coffins).

As Claremont-Ganneau further investigated the tomb, he found inscriptions, including the names of "Eleazar"(="Lazarus"), "Martha" and "Mary" on three different coffins.

The Gospel of John records the existence of one family of followers of Jesus to which this tomb seems to belong: "Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick)..." (11:1,2)

John continues by recounting Jesus' resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. Found only a short distance from Bethany, Clermont-Ganneau believed it was not a "singular coincidence" that these names were found.

He wrote: "[This catacomb] on the Mount of Olives belonged apparently to one of the earliest [families] which joined the new religion [of Christianity]. In this group of sarcophagi [coffins], some of which have the Christian symbol [cross marks] and some have not, we are, so to speak, [witnessing the] actual unfolding of Christianity." A first-century coffin bearing cross marks as it was found by archaeologist P. Bagatti in the catacomb on the Mt. of Olives. The Hebrew inscription both on the lid and body of the coffin reads: "Shlom-zion". Archaeologist Claremont-Ganneau found the same name followed by the designation "daughter of Simon the Priest."

As Claremont-Ganneau continued to investigate the catacomb, he found additional inscriptions including the name "Yeshua" (="Jesus") commemoratively inscribed on several ossuaries. One coffin, also bearing cross marks on it, was inscribed with the name "Shlom-zion" followed by the designation "daughter of Simon the Priest."

While these discoveries were of great interest, even more important was another catacomb found nearby and excavated by archaeologist P. Bagatti several years later.

One of the first-century coffins found on the Mt. of Olives contains a commemorative dedication to: "Yeshua" = "Jesus". Bagatti also found evidence which clearly indicated that the tomb was in use in the early part of the first century AD. Inside, the sign of the cross was found on numerous first-century coffins.

He found dozens of inscribed ossuaries, which included the names Jairus, Jonathan, Joseph, Judah, Matthias, Menahem, Salome, Simon, and Zechariah. In addition, he found one ossuary with crosses and the unusual name "Shappira" - which is a unique name not found in any other first-century writtings except for the Book of Acts (5:1).

As he continued his excavations, Bagatti also found a coffin bearing the unusual inscription "Shimon bar Yonah" (= "Simon [Peter] son of Jonah").


An inscription, found on a first century coffin bearing the sign of the cross, reads: "Shimon Bar Yonah" = "Simon [Peter] son of Jonah".

Copyright © 1998 Jerusalem Christian Review


A Consideration of the Apostolate of Saint Peter

Below are Ten major New Testament proofs, which completely disprove the claim that Peter was in Rome from the time of Claudius until Nero. These Biblical points speak for themselves and ANY ONE of them is sufficient to prove the ridiculousness of the Catholic claim. Notice what God tells us! The truth IS conclusive!

Near 45 A.D., we find Peter being cast into prison at Jerusalem (Acts 12:3, 4). In 49 A.D., he was still in Jerusalem, this time attending the Jerusalem Council. About 51 A.D., he was in Antioch of Syria where he got into differences with Paul because he wouldn't sit or eat with Gentiles. Strange that the "Roman bishop" would have nothing to do with Gentiles in 51 A.D.! Later in about 66 A.D., we find him in the city of Babylon among the Jews (I Pet. 5:13). Remember that Peter was the Apostle to the CIRCUMCISED. Why was he in Babylon? Because history shows that there were as many Jews in the Mesopotamian areas in Christ's time as there were in Palestine. It is no wonder we find him in the East…. scholars say Peter's writings are strongly Aramaic in flavor, the type of Aramaic spoken in Babylon. Peter was accustomed to their Eastern dialect.

At the times the Romanists believe Peter was in Rome, The Bible clearly shows he was elsewhere. There are, of course, many supposed historical accounts of Peter in Rome -- but none of them are first-hand accounts, and none of them should be put above the many accounts of The Bible.

The Sword of the Spirit: On the Apostles Peter and Paul



"There is a hundred times more evidence that Peter was buried in Jerusalem than in Rome." ~~ Rev. Father J.T. Milik, Roman Catholic Priest and archaeologist

"Well, we will have to make some changes... but for the time being, keep this thing quiet." ~~ Pope Pius XII, the Bishop of Rome


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; Current Events; Ecumenism; Evangelical Christian; General Discusssion; History; Mainline Protestant; Orthodox Christian; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics; Theology
KEYWORDS: cave; caveart; caves; epigraphyandlanguage; godsgravesglyphs; jerusalem; letshavejerusalem; ossuary; spelunkers; spelunking
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To: Quester
It is an error to think carnally in regards to the Church ... the Church is a spiritual entity ... founded upon the death of its leader (to the eyes of the world) ... and spread by the persecution of its followers.

The Church is incarnate - a city shining upon a hill. It is both visible and invisible.

121 posted on 11/24/2003 12:37:19 PM PST by Hermann the Cherusker
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To: Hermann the Cherusker
Not at all. Jesus was born to die for us. But he gave us the Church to stand forever, not to be subsummed in the destruction of Jerusalem.

Nor was it.

And, surely, you are not imtimating that GOD needed the power of the Roman Empire to accomplish His purposes, are you ?

122 posted on 11/24/2003 12:39:37 PM PST by Quester
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To: Hermann the Cherusker
I'm saying that any item stated as objective reality must stand on its own merit.

A lie is not a fact; an error is not a fact; a misrepresentation is not a fact.

A statement of objective reality is the only thing that is a fact.

I will agree that one might find more lies in some sources than in others, and that such would make it hard to use those sources without intentionally checking every item.

Nonetheless, if one checks something and finds it accurate, it stands on its own merit. Like someone said to me yesterday, "even a broken clock is right twice a day."

Although, I must say that your concern is valid. I, for example, will not send many of my parishoners to cult meetings hoping they're discerning enough to pick out the few facts from the mass of misrepresentation.
123 posted on 11/24/2003 12:41:31 PM PST by xzins (Proud to be Army!)
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To: Quester
And, surely, you are not imtimating that GOD needed the power of the Roman Empire to accomplish His purposes, are you ?

No God used the power of the Roman Empire for His purposes.

124 posted on 11/24/2003 12:42:06 PM PST by Hermann the Cherusker
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To: SoothingDave; Quester; TheCrusader
Gee Dave I thought you were on vacation. I knew if you had been reading this thread you would have taken TheCrusader
to task for his filthy lies.
125 posted on 11/24/2003 12:43:26 PM PST by OLD REGGIE ((I am a cult of one! UNITARJEWMIAN) Maybe a Biblical Unitarian?)
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To: dangus
The bible does not say that Peter feared James! It says he feared "those of the circumcision," meaning James and his allies. One gets the sense that they were a bit of a mob.

I didn't get that sense (James the Righteous doesn't really come across as a mobster in Acts 15, but to each his own), but your point that he feared the Men of James come to Antioch frankly makes the matter worse... now we have a supposed "Pope" who is genuflecting not just to a mere bishop, but to the bishop's itinerant subordinates.

Are these the actions of one who himself holds administrative Supremacy in the Church? Put simply... no. They are not.

Anyway, Paul chastises him for *failing* to issue doctrine, not for issuing a false one. When we read about the case in Acts, we find that Peter issues a doctrine, and the rest of the apostles consent to it. Now if Peter doesn't rank above Paul, why doesn't Paul do correct them himself? Rather, Paul appeals to the authority (Peter) to issue decide the matter.

There's no record that Paul appealed to Peter(and we certainly have record of Paul "appealing to authority" in cases when he actually did so!).

Peter then corrects the bishop whose diocese it is (James), who then corrects his presbyters (priests).

Peter does not address himself to James. What is more, the presbyters, after listening to Peter say his piece on the subject, turn their attention to listen to Paul and Barnabas some more (Acts 15:12).

So what we have here... Paul and Barnabas speak. Then Peter speaks. Then Paul and Barnabas speak some more.

Then James rules his judgment upon the matter... and everyone does what James says. (James has spoken; the matter is at an end).

126 posted on 11/24/2003 12:43:42 PM PST by OrthodoxPresbyterian (We are Unworthy Servants; We have only done Our Duty)
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To: Hermann the Cherusker
The Church is ... a city shining upon a hill.

So it is.

But the light of the Church is its spiritual light ... that which the world does not possess.

As it shone forth from Jesus ... so, also, ... it shines forth from the true Church.

127 posted on 11/24/2003 12:45:37 PM PST by Quester
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To: OLD REGGIE; TheCrusader
I knew if you had been reading this thread you would have taken TheCrusader to task for his filthy lies.

Please see 119.

I am of the opinion he simply did not know that "Orthodox Presbyterian" was a variety different from the normal PCUSA or PCA. It's so hard to keep track of all of them.

SD

128 posted on 11/24/2003 12:45:52 PM PST by SoothingDave
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To: xzins
Nonetheless, if one checks something and finds it accurate, it stands on its own merit.

Well, duh. Whom do you trust to tell you what is "accurate" is the question. Web sites full of obvious lies and slander do not seem, to me personally, to be good sources to "check" the "accuracy" of anything.

SD

129 posted on 11/24/2003 12:47:59 PM PST by SoothingDave
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To: OrthodoxPresbyterian
Are these the actions of one who himself holds administrative Supremacy in the Church? Put simply... no. They are not.

I'm glad you have now added to the Pope's power an absolute bravery in the face of danger and an inability to feel mortal fear. It's good to know you think popes are impervious to human influence. I see setting up this strawman makes it easier to knock down the papcy later, like when it fled into Avignon. Very clever of you.

SD

130 posted on 11/24/2003 12:50:34 PM PST by SoothingDave
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To: Hermann the Cherusker
No God used the power of the Roman Empire for His purposes.

Indeed He did ... as He does of all things.

The question is ... how ?

And, of course it is true that Satan used the power of the Roman Empire, as well.

131 posted on 11/24/2003 12:50:44 PM PST by Quester
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To: SoothingDave
Given political correctness in social sciences and humanities, one could make a case against history books being taken as treasures full of facts.

Measure twice, cut once.
132 posted on 11/24/2003 12:51:42 PM PST by xzins (Proud to be Army!)
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To: SoothingDave
Just for fun, let's take the statement: Peter was in Rome in 65 AD, and determine how to decide if it is a fact, a statement of objective reality. Then let's decide if it is actually a fact.
133 posted on 11/24/2003 12:55:09 PM PST by xzins (Proud to be Army!)
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To: Quester
The question is ... how ?

The answer is that God Incarnated His Church into the world and it spread throughout the Empire that He had previously prepared for the task. God won, remember?

To consider the Catholic Church as nothing more than a carrier for the parasite of "true" Christianity is to make God too weak to spread His Own Gospel, needing to hide and burrow into something stronger in order to be spread so that the special chosen could discover the hidden secret.

God is not the Easter Bunny.

SD

134 posted on 11/24/2003 12:58:42 PM PST by SoothingDave
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To: xzins
Just for fun, let's take the statement: Peter was in Rome in 65 AD, and determine how to decide if it is a fact, a statement of objective reality. Then let's decide if it is actually a fact.

Frankly, as it has been demonstrated here, it is quite impossible. One must either believe the Catholic Church along with many other denominations, along with the majority of scholars and bound references works. Or one must believe those who believe those are in some type of conspiracy to conceal the real truth.

SD

135 posted on 11/24/2003 1:01:16 PM PST by SoothingDave
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To: OrthodoxPresbyterian
Peter claims Christ told him not to force gentiles to be circumcised. He backs down and James continues the practice. Paul tells Peter to do what's right. Peter tells James he's wrong; James changes his mind and agrees with Peter and Paul.

Who's in charge here? Sure as heavens looks like Peter to me!
136 posted on 11/24/2003 1:03:58 PM PST by dangus
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To: xzins
Just for fun, let's take the statement: Peter was in Rome in 65 AD, and determine how to decide if it is a fact, a statement of objective reality. Then let's decide if it is actually a fact.

That's easy. First, the RC Church claims it to be true and if it claims it to be true it must be true because the RC Church is true because it claims to be true. With circular reasoning you can't lose.

137 posted on 11/24/2003 1:04:52 PM PST by lockeliberty ('O Rome, O Rome, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you!')
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To: SoothingDave; TheCrusader
I am of the opinion he simply did not know that "Orthodox Presbyterian" was a variety different from the normal PCUSA or PCA. It's so hard to keep track of all of them.

He had been made aware several times, even to the point of comparing it to any group with "Catholic" in it's name.

He knew better. It's just that he enjoys wallowing in his filth.

138 posted on 11/24/2003 1:06:02 PM PST by OLD REGGIE ((I am a cult of one! UNITARJEWMIAN) Maybe a Biblical Unitarian?)
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To: SoothingDave
The answer is that God Incarnated His Church into the world and it spread throughout the Empire that He had previously prepared for the task. God won, remember?

To consider the Catholic Church as nothing more than a carrier for the parasite of "true" Christianity is to make God too weak to spread His Own Gospel, needing to hide and burrow into something stronger in order to be spread so that the special chosen could discover the hidden secret.

God is not the Easter Bunny.


The truth is that God can spread His gospel any way He chooses.

It would never be up to us to judge God based upon His choice of methodology.
1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

139 posted on 11/24/2003 1:08:11 PM PST by Quester
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To: SoothingDave
How does one determine if any statement regarding the past is a statement of objective reality?

All you can do is compile the evidence and counter-evidence and see how compelling is your case.
140 posted on 11/24/2003 1:09:55 PM PST by xzins (Proud to be Army!)
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