The Death Of Paul - Walk By Sight

**The Death Of Paul** #Unfinished against Unbiblical Doctrines (JW) #Unfinished Herndon The death of Paul the Apostles and the rest of the church founders is often used in Christian apologetics when talking about evidence for the resurrection. It is said that Paul was martyred by Nero, possibly after Christians were blamed for the fire in Rome. Here is a list of sources that that talk about Paul’s death. #### From Dionysius Of Corinth: >“Therefore you also have by such admonition joined in close union the churches that were planted by Peter and Paul, that of the Romans and that of the Corinthians: for both of them went to our Corinth and taught us in the same way as they taught you when they went to Italy; and having taught you, they suffered martyrdom at the same time.” ---[Dionysius of Corinth](https://paperpile.com/app/p/e07ddf7f-0f85-0b2d-a2e4-7a2d25eca446 'Dionysius of Corinth') #### From the fragments of Caius: >"And I can show the trophies of the apostles. For if you choose to go to the Vatican or to the Ostian Road, you will find the trophies of those who founded this church." ---[The History of the Church](https://paperpile.com/app/p/3eaa5a3b-2d43-00e2-9f3b-2bec08b38b37 'The History of the Church') #### From Sulpicius Severus’s Chronica: >“Afterwards, too, their religion was prohibited by laws which were enacted; and by edicts openly set forth, it was proclaimed unlawful to be a Christian. At that time Paul and Peter were condemned to death, the former being beheaded with a sword, while Peter suffered crucifixion.” ---[Schaff, P. (Ed.)](https://paperpile.com/app/p/74caec2e-3f58-0836-90ce-33c55011f751 'NPNF-211. Sulpitius Severus, Vincent of Lerins, John Cassian') #### Ignatius of Antioch wrote: >“I know both who I am, and to whom I write. I am a condemned man; you have been the objects of mercy. I am subject to danger; you are established in safety. You are the persons through whom those pass that are cut off for the sake of God. You are initiated into the mysteries of the gospel with Paul, the holy, the martyred, the deservedly most happy — at whose feet may I be found, when I shall attain to God! — who in all his letters makes mention of you in Christ Jesus.” ---[The History of the Church](https://paperpile.com/app/p/3eaa5a3b-2d43-00e2-9f3b-2bec08b38b37 'The History of the Church') #### From Clement of Rome on the death Paul and Peter The Apostle: >“But not to dwell upon ancient examples, let us come to the most recent spiritual heroes. Let us take the noble examples furnished in our own generation. Through envy and jealousy the greatest and most righteous pillars \[of the church] have been persecuted and put to death. Let us set before our eyes the illustrious apostles. Peter, through unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labours; and when he had at length suffered martyrdom, departed to the place of glory due to him. Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity, compelled to flee, and stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the extreme limit of the west, and suffered martyrdom under the prefects.” ---[The History of the Church](https://paperpile.com/app/p/3eaa5a3b-2d43-00e2-9f3b-2bec08b38b37 'The History of the Church') #### Tertullian informs us in Prescription Against Heretics: >“Since, moreover, you are close upon Italy, you have Rome, from which there comes even into our own hands the very authority [of apostles themselves]. How happy is its church, on which apostles poured forth all their doctrine along with their blood! — where Peter endures a passion like his Lord’s! — where Paul wins his crown in a death like John’s!”--- [Roberts, A., Donaldson, J., & Coxe, A. C. (1907).](https://paperpile.com/app/p/c4758f30-56e7-073e-90cd-8babd7952a4d 'The Ante-Nicene Fathers: Richardson, E. C. Bibliographical synopsis. Pick, B. General index') #### From John Chrysostom: >“Then therefore, when matters were in this state, some of the enemies of Paul, desiring to fan up the war to greater vehemence, and to make the hatred of the tyrant, which was felt towards him greater, pretended that they themselves also preached; (and they did preach the right and sound faith,) for the sake of the doctrine advancing more rapidly: and this they did, not with the desire to disseminate the faith; but in order that Nero, having learned that the preaching was increasing and the doctrine advancing, might the sooner have Paul led away to execution.” ---[Concerning Lowliness of Mind](https://paperpile.com/app/p/0cb59901-02e0-0d3c-b6cc-d99355b23f84 'Concerning Lowliness of Mind') #### Eusebius Of Casarea claimed that Paul was beheaded at the order of the Roman emperor Nero or one of his subordinates: >“Thus publicly announcing himself as the first among God's chief enemies, he was led on to the slaughter of the apostles. It is, therefore, recorded that Paul was beheaded in Rome itself, and that Peter likewise was crucified under Nero. This account of Peter and Paul is substantiated by the fact that their names are preserved in the cemeteries of that place even to the present day.“ ---[The History of the Church](https://paperpile.com/app/p/3eaa5a3b-2d43-00e2-9f3b-2bec08b38b37 'The History of the Church') #### From Lactantius: >“He \[Nero] it was who first persecuted the servants of God; he crucified Peter, and slew Paul:” ---[Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died, Addressed to Donatus](https://paperpile.com/app/p/b68edc66-162f-097f-a601-5ce4d91c1014 'Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died, Addressed to Donatus') We can also safely assume that no matter what kind of death Paul faced, he was prepared to meet his fate. He wrote in Philippians 1:21-24: > “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” ---Philippians 1:21-24: In 2002, a tomb, inscribed with the words "Paul apostle martyr" was discovered during excavations around the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. It was declared to be the tomb of Paul the Apostle in 2005. In June 2009 a probe was used to examine the tomb, which revealed pieces of incense, purple and blue linen, and small bone fragments radiocarbon-dated to the 1st or 2nd century. According to the Vatican, these findings support the conclusion that the tomb is Paul's [The NY Times. (2009, June 29)](https://paperpile.com/app/p/8833035c-d61b-0fd0-99e6-ad448b70b63a 'Pope Says Tests `Seem to Conclude Bones` Are the Apostle Pauls'). The historical evidence surrounding the death of Paul the Apostle, as recounted by early Christian writers and church fathers such as Dionysius of Corinth, Caius, Sulpicius Severus, Ignatius of Antioch, Clement of Rome, Tertullian, John Chrysostom, Eusebius of Caesarea, and Lactantius, consistently portrays Paul as a martyr, most likely beheaded by the order of Emperor Nero. These accounts, affirm the strong tradition within early Christianity that Paul faced death with a firm conviction in his faith, exemplified by his own words in Philippians 1:21-24. The archaeological discovery in 2002 of a tomb bearing Paul's name and containing bone fragments dating back to the 1st or 2nd century provides additional physical evidence supporting the traditional narrative of Paul's martyrdom. *For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day”and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.* 2 Timothy 4: 6-8 <audio controls src = > </ audio> M.ydbJNoSpynYEgfpuq4zw