Steps of Paul Tour Day #2

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Today we started our tour with a site that was colossal in its size and significance...the famed and greatly anticipated Roman Coliseum.  It was built after shortly 70 A.D., where Jerusalem was sacked and burned by the Romans.  The spoils of this conquest were used to build this great edifice, as well as other sites around the city.  It is incredible to see a place where 70,000 Romans would gather for months at a time to celebrate these "games" (as they call it) where man and beast alike would fight to the death.  Many Christians were martyred here as well for their faith in Christ.  We also got to see the Arch of Constantine (or Triumph) and the Arch of Titus which display the beauty that is all around you in the old Roman empire.  The Arch of Titus is also linked to the destruction of Jerusalem as well.  Like so many monuments in Rome, it not only is a national landmark, it also tells a story.  It shows how the Romans conquered the Jews and brought many of them and the holy artifacts from Herod's temple back to Rome.  When Israel became a nation again in 1948, Jews all over Rome walked through this arch to celebrate their re-birth as a nation!  It is this site and so many others that help you realize the historical significance of what we are seeing.

We also got to see the Mamertime prison where Paul and Peter were kept before their executions.  We toured the site of their executions as well at the Abbey of the Three Fountains.  Paul, a Roman citizen was beheaded by Nero for his stedfast commitment to Christ and preaching the Gospel...but not before God used him to take the Gospel to the Gentiles.  Peter, who preached the Gospel mainly to the Jews, chose to be crucified upside down, because he did not feel worthy to be crucified in the same manner as His Lord and Savior.

 One place that was moving to all of us was the catacombs.  This was a burial place for thousands of Christians for centuries, but it was also a place for worship through prayer, singing, and preaching.  It wasn't until after Constantine gave his Edict of Milan that Christians could worship freely in the open and even build their own churches.  However, that did not keep the Gospel from spreading and the church from multiplying!

Today we will be touring the Vatican, the epicenter of the Catholic Church. It is here that we will darkness shrouded in beauty.  It will certainly be breath-taking, but a sad commentary where being saved by grace through faith is replaced with seeking to save yourself by your own merits and performance.

The group has really been a joy to be around and we have had made so many memories already together.  We hope you enjoy the pictures and we look forward to seeing you on the blog again soon!

Your fellow servant,

Pastor Stephen