Peter
c. 1 – c. 64 · Bishop of Rome
Also known as Simon Peter · Cephas · Simon bar Jonah
Feast: 29 June
Chief of the Twelve Apostles. Fisherman from Bethsaida; preached at Pentecost, traveled widely, and traditionally martyred in Rome under Nero. Counted by Roman tradition as first bishop of Rome.
Highlights
- Main contribution
- Peter is the apostle whose failure and authority sit side by side.
- Event connection
- Council of Jerusalem (50)
- Primary source
- Gospel of Matthew 16:13-19
Peter is the apostle whose failure and authority sit side by side. He confesses Christ, misunderstands the cross, denies Jesus, is restored, preaches at Pentecost, and helps lead the church through the Gentile question in Acts. That mix is why later debates about authority, repentance, episcopacy, Rome, and unity keep returning to him. Tradition remembers him as martyred in Rome under Nero, and the churches of East and West both treat him as one of the central apostolic witnesses.
Primary sources
- ·Gospel of Matthew 16:13-19
- ·Acts of the Apostles 1-15
- ·1 Peter 1:1
- ·Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 2.25
- ·Irenaeus, Adv. Haer. 3.3.2
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