Sárospataki Füzetek 16. (2012)
2012 / 3-4. szám - TANULMÁNYOK
Jerusalem the Mother Church the world-wide spread of the Gospel. This is how both Peter and Paul found their way to Rome: neither had planned their missionary itineraries, but both were led by the hand of God. The other traditions, of greatly varying quality and often largely beyond verification, are not inconsistent with this general picture.28 The tradition that Eusebius draws on shows that while Paul may be considered the best-known of missionary apostles, he is certainly not the only one to have made such journeys. Geographical details of Peter’s activities among the Jewish diaspora are no doubt based on the address of Peter’s first letter (1 Peter 1:1). The letter itself, however, leaves the impression that other preachers had been active in Asia Minor (1 Peter 1:12), while Peter himself stayed in Babylon (1 Peter 5:13). He is also known to have travelled to Antioch, as is seen in his confrontation with Paul there (Galatians 2:11). In addition there are three indications that the apostle Peter, perhaps accompanied by his wife, is likely to have visited the city of Corinth. In the first place, it was Peter who had fanatical supporters in Corinth - a true ‘Cephas party’ (1 Corinthians 1:12). Secondly, Paul uses the example of Cephas to demonstrate to the Corinthians that apostles had every right to take their believing wives along on their journeys, even though Paul himself does not do so (1 Corinthians 9:5). Thirdly, Dionysius, the bishop of Corinth, writes a century later that both Peter and Paul were involved in the establishment of the church at Corinth. Both apostles, Dionysius records, have ‘planted’ in Corinth, and have given further instruction there as well (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History II 25,8).29 It seems clear that the church at Jerusalem resembled a bursting seed pod. The seed of the gospel scattered across the face of the earth. Twelve plus one sowers knew themselves called to take the lead. Although it is true that this scattering of seed was done first by the emissaries and disciples of Jesus Christ, beginning in Jerusalem and spreading throughout the world, this activity was not limited to them. Jesus’ brothers and other passionate preachers took an active part in this proclamation of the gospel. The power of the Holy Spirit set an immense missionary movement in motion. In this way the church of Jerusalem, where everything began on the day of Pentecost, became a truly catholic church in the full meaning of the word: universal, a Christian community of faith that — spiritually — extended all over the world. This global catholic church has its roots, not in Rome, but in Jerusalem. 28 Of the apostles, Thaddeus, for instance, is said to have found has way to Edessa, in Syria, and Thomas to India. Bartholomew has also been mentioned in connection with India. After Peter’s death in Rome, Mark departed for Egypt, where he, according to the tradition, became the bishop of Alexandria. According to a Cypriot tradition, Lazarus, after his resurrection, and fearful of an attempt to murder him (John 12:9-11), fled to Cyprus and later became bishop of Citium. Epiphanius records that Lazarus lived in Cyprus for another thirty years after his resurrection. Later sources tell that Barnabas, who was a Cypriot by birth (Acts 4:36), later returned to the island and lived there until his death. 29 The imagery of Dionysius is probably taken from 1 Corinthians 3:5-9. See further: C.K. Barrett, Essays on Paul (London: SPCK, 1982), chapter 2 [Cephas and Corinth]; Martin Hengel, Der unterschätzte Petrus. Zwei Studien (Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2006), 106-111; 167-189; 204-217. For a reconstruction of Peter’s apostolic activities: RH.R. van Houwelingen, 1 Petrus. Rondzendbrief uit Babylon (Commentaar op het Nieuwe Testament; Kämpen: Kok, 1991; Forth, Revised Edition 2010), 38-41. 2012/3-4Sárospataki Füzetek25
