History of the Bible Essay - 1727 Words

Brittany Stewart Instructor Pursell English 132 9 December 2009 The History of the Canonization of the Bible The process by which the English Bible, as it is known to the English culture today, was compiled is an extraordinary thing to see. The Bible consists of two parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The process by which both Testaments were written and then canonized into one book transpired over a period of many years. Once the canonization of the Bible officially came to an end, it was translated into English. Since then, many versions of the modern Bible have been made. Since the individual books of the Bible became scattered as they were written, people set forth to preserve God’s Word by compiling them into one†¦show more content†¦He therefore separates the Apocrypha from the main part of the Bible, putting it in an appendix. In AD 1546, the Council of Trent convenes and settles once and for all that the Old Testament consists of all forty-six books (â€Å"Development of the Difficult Canon†). The New Te stament was canonized over a period of approximately four hundred years (Stotesberg). From AD 50-125, the books which in the end constitute the New Testament were written. Simultaneously, other books, which did not end up being included in the final canon, were produced. These books are the Epistle of Barnabas, the Didache, I Clement, the seven letters of Ignatius of Antioch, etc. (â€Å"Development of the Difficult Canon†). As more and more books were written, Christians realized that it was imperative that they gather and consolidate this material before it became lost. Sometime before AD 100, ten of Paul’s letters were gathered and combined into their own canon. The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) were combined to form another canon soon after the canonization of Paul’s letters. The Gospels and Paul’s letters became the main body of a new group of Scriptures that would soon become the New Testament. Soon Acts, I Peter, I John, and Revelation we re inserted into this body of Scripture. Following this, the rest of the books were added to the New Testament (Barker). In AD 140, Marcion, a heretical teacher who discarded the Old Testament as Scripture, took parts of Luke and also tenShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Bible As History2320 Words   |  10 Pages The Bible as History nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The question of whether the Holy Bible is an actual historical account of what happened since the beginning of humanity, or merely stories that man has come up with over time has long been considered. Many choose to believe the Bible literally and take everything word for word. Others believe the stories in the Bible are a way of showing God’s love for us, but think of them as stories and lessons on how to follow the â€Å"way of God.† Others thinkRead More History of the Old Testament of the Bible Essay3002 Words   |  13 PagesBeing able to recall stories of the Bible does not necessarily mean you have a thorough grasp on the history of Israel and the surrounding nations. Some people read and discuss the Bible without a solid understanding of the history and social issues that were going on at the time. Being able to relate to the stories in the Bible and struggle with some of the same problems faced by the people in the Bible gives you a greater appreciation for the works in the Bible. I feel that having a firm understandingRead MoreAmericas History Founded on the Bible: Investigating America’s Relationship with the Bible throughout Time725 Words   |  3 PagesIntroduction: Brief History of the Bible The first piece that contributes to the bible can said to be the Ten Commandments which were made around 1400 BC. New and Old Testaments start arising in the late BC and beginning of AD. Around 1455 AD is when the first bible is massed produced and it is written in Latin. The first fully produced bible in English is in 1535 AD. These bible were not Authorized for public use until 1539 when â€Å"The Great Bible† is produced. The translations of the bible have been derivedRead MoreThe Bible As A Source Of Hope, Strength, Truth And History2380 Words   |  10 Pages The Bible is known single-handedly as the champion of the best-selling books the world has ever known. It is the holy and sacred text known to all the world, but specifically to those who believe in the Christian faith predominantly, but other religions also look to the Bible as a source of hope, strength, truth and history. The Bible was originally written in Greek and Hebrew, but over time has been translated into many of the world’s languages to accommodate those who believe in the Bible’s powerRead MoreStudy Bible History And Theology At Northeastern Seminary978 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction I feel blessed for the opportunity to study Bible history and theology at Northeastern Seminary. Since seminary was never in my plans, I know God orchestrated this opportunity. As I reflect, my preparation for seminary begin in 2005 when I had a desire to become a Christian Counselor for women and children. As a result, I enrolled in a Christian Counseling program offered by the American Association of Christians Counselors. When I completed the program, I discovered that in orderRead MoreWhat Are Some Methodological Issues Scholars Encounter Studying The Hebrew Bible And The Histories Of Ancient Israel?711 Words   |  3 Pagesissues scholars encounter studying the Hebrew Bible and the histories of ancient Israel? There are so many different variations of the same text that the story cannot be aligned with assurance for some scholars. There are different perspectives regarding the same stories in history, therefore they have been separated into their own collections of literature; such as canonization and biblical text recognized by different sects. Not all of the Hebrew Bible was written in Hebrew, in fact, some of theRead MoreThe Magna Carte, The Declaration Of Independence, And But The Communist Manifesto1534 Words   |  7 Pages Throughout out the history of the world many documents have had profound influences upon humanity. The Magna Carte, The Declaration of Independence, and even the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx are examples of some of the documents that have helped to shape humanity. The Bible has had perhaps more impact on humanity than any other Document ever written. Many people read the Bible, but know little of the history of the Bible itself. The history of th e Bible is a fascinating story of theRead MoreReading the Old Testament Essay1187 Words   |  5 PagesThe Old Testament and the Bible itself has been studied extensively for centuries. Archeologists and Scholars have labored and pondered over texts trying to decipher its clues. It does not matter how many times the Old Testament has been studied there will always be something new to learn about it or the history surrounding it. In the book Reading the Old Testament: an Introduction, the author Lawrence Boadt presents us with a few different authors of the Old Testament that used different names forRead MoreAnalysis Of The Old Testament Book Of Esther1060 Words   |  5 PagesTHE BOOK OF ESTHER Course: Introduction to the Old Testament book of Esther Related Courses: Finding similarities in the Old and New Testament books Intended Audience: Adult Bible Class Objective After completing this lesson, students: a) Will readily be able to expound on where God is evident in the book of Esther b) Will apply the practices of searching the scriptures for similarities in Old and New Testament books. c) Will be able to show and find Christ even when he is not named or mentionedRead MoreThe Relevance and Authority of Scripture Essay952 Words   |  4 Pagesever changing culture. Second the Liberal movement was all about cultural relevance and used only as a record of history. Each holds a valid argument Neo-Orthodox however is a good blend of both cultural relevance and scriptural foundation. The Issues Evangelical Evangelicalism carried a strong emphasis on the Word of God. Which is in its own right a positive to the movement. Bible is used as the center of the Christian faith, however where they went wrong was saying that God is not moving anymore

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Wuthering Heights...

There are many differences between Pride and Prejudice, and Wuthering Heights. One of the main differences is the women in the stories and how they act. The two women that are surrounded by the two stories and all the problems throughout are Elizabeth Bennet, and Catherine Earnshaw. These two women share major roles in all the conflicts in their respective stories. These two women are also vastly different sharing very few similarities. They have huge differences in resolve. Elizabeth’s resolve led her to many different problems and amplified both her positive and negative qualities. Only one person was able to change her resolve and even then it took very large circumstances where Elizabeth was so completely wrong over her first judgment†¦show more content†¦She also did not let others influence her decisions when it came to her love life. When her cousin came and offered her his hand in marriage, her mother ordered her to marry him as soon as she saw him next, howev er Elizabeth still turned him down and infuriated her mother. For Elizabeth, the thought of being married to a man who she did not love was a pain worse than any poverty she could be forced to endure. Catherine became enraptured with two men, Edgar Linton and Heathcliff. Catherine began to love Heathcliff when they were children, and would always make sure that he was physically treated well. Even though she said things that harmed Heathcliff’s feelings when Catherine’s cruel brother locked Heathcliff up and forced him to be a servant she made it very well known that she displeased his treatment and would even go to see Heathcliff while he was locked away. Catherine also loves Edgar and, allowing her to be swayed by Hindley’s actions against Heathcliff, decides to marry Edgar instead. This shows the greatest difference as where Elizabeth decides to marry the man she loves no matter who stands in her way, Catherine causes most of the conflict in the book by allow ing herself to be swayed by Hindley’s degradation of Heathcliff’s character, and decides to marry someone else. Another extreme difference between Elizabeth and Catherine is the difference in the way they act towards others. Elizabeth would always rely on her wit and sharp tongue, notShow MoreRelatedWuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen1016 Words   |  5 PagesThe novels Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen each present a story in which the precariousness of social class and the perniciousness of love constitute a central conflict. Both the protagonist from Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff, and the protagonist from Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet, share a confident, yet stubborn demeanor; however, there are many characteristics and events that distinguish each of them as strong central characters in their own rightRead MoreFemale Writers Have Made A Great Impact On Literature Throughout History886 Words   |  4 Pagestheir own back stories. Two of the greatest female writers in history were Jane Austen and Emily Brontà «. Although they are both well-known female writers, their personal histories influenced there themes and modes of writing very differently. Born into a large family on December 16, 1775 in Hampshire, England, Jane Austen was the seventh child of eight. Her family was very close and affectionate toward each other. Although Jane never married, she had a diverse social circle due to her many friends andRead MorePride and Prejudice vs Wuthering Heights3113 Words   |  13 Pages[pic] PRIDE AND PREJUDICE vs. WUTHERING HEIGHTS About structure and mood There are a number of differences. First of all, the narrative structure is very different. Pride and Prejudice is chronological, told by a limited 3rd person narrator. Wuthering Heights begins at present, and then is told as a series of flashbacks, sometimes through letters, but with two different first-person narrators. Pride and Prejudice reads chronologically, with someone telling youRead MorePride and Prejudice by Jane Austin Vs. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte902 Words   |  4 Pagesfrom Pride Prejudice by Jane Austin, can be seen as a different role model when compared to Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Both novels have a similar background but with a different twist. Austin’s description of writing is seen to be related to a more realistic and satire approach, whereas Bronte’s style seems to be a bit gothic. Furthermore, both novels have a romantic presentation of two very unique genders that fall deeply in love with one another . Pride Prejudice startsRead MoreWuthering Heights And Prejudice By Emily Bronte And Jane Austen922 Words   |  4 PagesThe setting, symbolism, dialogue, indirect characterization, tone, irony and narrative perspective are all techniques used in Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice, to draw attention to social class. The setting in both novels is a technique used to illustrate how class creates conflict between the characters and to symbolise class system through the many estates within the novels. Symbolism such as transport and the characters dress is used to draw attention to the class system. The use of dialogueRead MoreEmily Brontes Writing Technique in Wuthering Heights991 Words   |  4 PagesA very complex element of Emily Bronte s writing technique is the narrative style she uses when alternating between the two characters of Nelly Dean and Lockwood. Wuthering Heights is a story told through eye witness accounts, first through Lockwood, followed by Nelly. Lockwood s responsibility is shaping the framework of the novel wheras Nelly provides the intricate recount of the personal lives of all the characters having been present first hand. Although, each character does have a differentRead More A Comparison of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen Essay2446 Words   |  10 PagesA Comparison of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen ADVANCED ENGLISH LANGUAGE ESSAY Of the many authors to emerge during the nineteenth-century, Charles Dickens and Jane Austen were among the few who would make a lasting impression on the literary world for generations. Hard Times, often referred to as Dickens’ ‘Industrial novel’ and Austen’s Pride and Prejudice have been much read and well-loved classics for many years. It is the purpose of this essay to compare and contrast the different Read MoreLeaves And Survivor Essay2472 Words   |  10 Pagesessays trying to explain the novel as a literary genre. ( ) The last early novelist was Jane Austen, she is said to be the greatest English novelist of manners. â€Å"Restricting herself to the society of landed gentry, Austen is a miniaturist; the feminine Augustan.† ( ) She is the only female writer of her time; it was very rare to see a woman do this during that time. Her major works were Pride and Prejudice and Emma. ( ) The 18th Century was largely a time of figuring out what the novel actuallyRead MoreCause and Impact Analysis on the Main Character’s Suffering in Elizabeth Gilbert’s Novel Eat, Pray, Love7348 Words   |  30 Pagesand A sentimental journey (Stern). 4. The Gothic novel, the novel that covers such elements as horror, death, violence, mystery and the supernatural predominate. For example: Laura Conway’s The unforgotten, Fran Kestein (Mary Shelly, Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte). 5. The didactic novel, the novel in which the message is used to teach something or to preach political or religious doctrines and social reforms. For example: Dickens’s novels are didactic novels aimed at social reforms. 6. The

Easter Island Historical Analysis - 1308 Words

Easter Island, a mysterious and intriguing land lies on Chilean territory in the South Pacific ocean. The Polynesian people discovered an island that can allow researchers and linguistics to dive in and dig up remains and stories of the past. Easter Island is an isolated historical place that boomed in population and thrived in culture. The name Easter Island was born from the first European, Jacob Roggeveen, to arrive on Easter Sunday in the year 1722. The islander’s culture left a legacy that was important enough to get into the history books and minds of many. Easter Island is commonly known for the home of giant Moai stones that tourists today visit in awe. Few people understand the history of the Polynesian settlers that created many†¦show more content†¦Agricultural crops were grown throughout the island as well, and archeologists say that on their canoes they brought over goods to aid in their new kingdom crops.With a wide range of colonisation goods brought ab oard in addition to their chickens and sweet potatoes, the Rapa Nui was able to begin a new life. The new life the Rapa Nui tried to create was a complex high society. Each clan wanted to represent themselves, and they represented themselves by creating statues, They also used each of the Moai to worship ancestors and celebrate burials. The Moai, or ahu, were made out of large masses of volcanic stone that rested on the island. All of the Moai started out relatively small, but the growth of the society and statues positively correlated. At most, the Moai stood twenty feet high and had roughly an eighty-ton mass. The Moai are a significant example of the Rapa Nui wanting to achieve a complex high-end society from their hard work. Creating and moving the Moai statues around the island without modern technology took great strategy and skill. With a growing society, the kingdom was at its ultimate high with a population of 10,000 people.Unfortunately, the overly fast growing population suddenly came to a halt ( Foot, D. K. (2004)). In order to have a sustainable society, the environment it lives on must be nourished and preserved. In addition, the people that control the environment have to be

Breastfeeding What free essay sample

Breastfeeding: What # 8217 ; s In It For Mom? Essay, Research Paper By this clip, everyone on the planet knows that chest milk is good for babes. But what # 8217 ; s in it for Mom? As it turns out, enough. The fact that breastfeeding is so good for female parents may be one of nature # 8217 ; s best-kept secrets. Ramping endocrines are normal the first few hebdomads post-partum. During this clip, many adult females experience the # 8216 ; babe blues # 8217 ; . The blues can strike both nursing and bottle-feeding mas, but the nursing ma may hold a powerful assist thanks to her high Pitocin degrees. Oxytocin, a powerful endocrine that is stimulated each clip the babe breastfeeds, is a relaxing and calming substance that pulses through the female parent # 8217 ; s organic structure during the milk release. Called # 8216 ; the endocrine of love # 8217 ; by research workers, it plays a function in adhering as a female parent sing an oxytocin haste feels drowsy and profoundly unagitated, advancing a peaceable province in which to fall in love with the babe. Breastfeeding female parents continue to hold an altered endocrine province for every bit long as nursing continues. This is at least partly the consequence of suppressed menses. Unrestricted nursing can bring forth holds in the return of birthrate for drawn-out periods of clip. Six months to a twelvemonth is non unusual, and some nursing mas bask even longer interruptions. During this clip, Fe shops are replenished and female parents are spared the temper swings of normal cycling. For adult females who experience PMS, this genuinely provides a holiday from added emphasis! ( Note: Globally, breastfeeding is the most widely employed method for child-spacing. But no prophylactic method is fool-proof. Womans frequently employ a back-up system of barrier contraceptive method merely to be certain. ) After experiencing like the Goodyear Blimp for months, most pregnant adult females look frontward to holding their organic structures back. It doesn # 8217 ; t go on instantly though, and that dough-boy expression we all have the first six hebdomads postpartum may be portion of the ground many adult females feel a spot down. A 1999 Time Magazine article about suckling provided the undermentioned good intelligence: # 8220 ; Nursing a babe may look reasonably effortless, but it can fire up 500 Calories a twenty-four hours # 8211 ; the equivalent of running approximately 5 miles. # 8221 ; Scientific surveies have demonstrated that between three months and nine months postpartum, nursing female parents who get even mild exercising lose more weight than their bottle-feeding sisters. Moderate exercising is non merely All right for the nursing ma, but it seems to profit the milk supply, excessively. Merely be certain to empty the chests before exercising and have on a supportive bandeau . Talking of organic structure image, those leaking, conceited chests of the first month DO settle down. In an established lactation, adult females a rhenium merely truly cognizant of comprehensiveness if they go excessively long between provenders. Over clip, breastfeeding chests return to a reasonably normal size, although they maintain a libertine, firmer form that many adult females ( and their spouses ) find attractive. Lower emphasis degrees, a interruption from holding monthly periods, and a nice looking organic structure are great fringe benefits. But on a more serious degree, there are some reasonably compelling wellness advantages to suckling every bit good. Due to metabolic alterations influenced by endocrines, urinary path wellness is improved during lactation, so nursing mas suffer fewer vesica infections. Some adult females with chronic diseases discover they enjoy improved wellness during lactation. For case, insulin-dependant diabetics by and large require less insulin while suckling. Long-term wellness benefits may be even more compelling than the short-run advantages of suckling. Osteoporosis, or bone devolution, is a disease that impacts the wellness of many older adult females. While it is true that nursing female parents lose some bone mass during lactation, the loss seems to trip growing of new bone after the babe weans. This means that adult females who breastfeed continue to turn new bone mass long after their early 20 # 8217 ; s, the clip when bone growing otherwise ceases. Consequently, suckling adult females enter old age with newer, stronger bone shops, significantly cut downing their hazard of brickle bone disease. Breast malignant neoplastic disease is a complex disease. Scientists are still detecting the multiple factors that trigger this much-feared flagellum of adult females. What is known is that drawn-out breastfeeding is associated with a lower hazard of chest malignant neoplastic disease. Studies suggest even better protection when a adult female who breastfeeds was herself breastfed as an baby. So nursing our girls, and promoting our girls to nurse, may assist cut down their hazard of chest malignant neoplastic disease. The cost of raising kids keeps traveling up and up. It # 8217 ; s nice to cognize that household finances truly profit when ma decides to suckle. La Leche League, the international breastfeeding support organisation, one time calculated that a household could purchase a major contraption ( or two ) with the money spent on 12 months of expression. Many female parents use some of this nest eggs to engage house cleaning aid, to handle the household to a holiday, or to buy a gym rank for themselves. In more stressed families, these nest eggs don # 8217 ; t travel for extras, but may do a existent difference in assisting a household financially. Best for babe and now the find that breastfeeding is best for Mom. Sounds like a win-win state of affairs, particularly when you factor in the experiential component. Breastfeeding is genuinely one of life # 8217 ; s sweet pleasances!

Arts painting reflection BobbyByron Essay Example For Students

Arts painting reflection BobbyByron Essay Many people were not aware of Arizona Canyon until 1869, when John Wesley Powell became the first to travel its full length by boat, In 1871 Powell made a second trip accompanied by the young artist Frederick Delegable. His third trip was in 1873, when he introduced the Grand Canyon to landscape artist Thomas Moran, who portrayed its grandeur to the public. Moran work was to compel president Theodore Roosevelt to declare the site a national monument. B. What social commentary do you think this painting is trying to convey? Explain, The commentary is about showing the beauty of an future American monument hat was not discovered as of yet. The painting shows the different features of the Grand Canyon, this makes people want to go see it for themselves. 2. Painting title, artist, date: Nighthawks, Edward Hopper, 1942 This painting was inspired by a restaurant on New Works Greenwich Avenue where two streets meet, the painting depicts an all-night diner in which three customers, all lost in their own thoughts, have congregated. Hoppers understanding of the expressive possibilities of light playing on simplified shapes gives the painting its beauty. B. What social commentary do you think this painting is trying to convey? Explain. The commentary was about the loneliness of a large city, according to the author, The four people (night owls) seem separate and remote from each other and the viewer. It denied by the painter that this was a symbol of human isolation and urban emptiness. 3. Painting title, artist, date: Christinas World, Andrew Whet, 1948 a, What events influenced this painting? How? This is a picture of a bowman named Anna Christina Olson who has suffered from polio. Whet created this painting when he saw her crawling across a field while watching from a Window in the house. Whet had a summer home in the area and was on friendly terms with Olson. Although Olson was the inspiration and subject Of the painting, she was not the primary model ? Whiteys Wife Betsy posed as the torso of the painting. Olson was 55 at the time Whet created the work. The house is known as the Olson House in Cushing, Maine. B. What social commentary do you think this painting is trying to convey? Explain. Think the social commentary is showing a woman laying on the ground that may have fallen trying to get to this house. The artist could be showing that the woman may see something from afar that is about to happen to the house. 4. Painting title, artist, date: Queering, Pablo Picasso, 1937 This painting was created by Picasso in response to the bombing of Queering, a village in Spain by German and Italian warplanes at the behest of the Spanish Nationalist forces in 1937 Spanish civil war, The social commentary that this painting is conveying is that it is showing the tragedies of war and suffering it inflicts upon individuals, particularly innocent civilians. This painting gained monumental status, reminding of the tragedies of war, an anti-war symbol and promotes peace. The main focus Of this painting is to convey peace. 5. Painting title, artist, date: American Gothic, Grant Wood, 1930 a. What events influenced this painting? How? Woods inspiration came from what is now known as the American Gothic House, and his decision to paint the house along with the kind of people he felt lived in this house. It is an image of a farmer standing beside his daughter, which was modeled by the artists sister and their dentist b. What social commentary do you think this painting is trying to convey? Explain. The woman is dressed in a colonial print apron evoking 19th-century Americana, and the couple are in the traditional roles of men and women, the mans pitchfork symbolizing hard labor, and the flowers over the womans right shoulder suggesting domesticity.

Conducting An Inductive Essay

Conducting An Inductive EssayIn this article I will explain the concept of essay topics and what is involved in writing an inductive essay. I will be discussing a case study that was used to demonstrate what I am talking about. This case study demonstrates the different steps involved in the process of writing an inductive essay.We have been having problems with the paper for sometime and have even started to run out of ideas. My husband was the one who suggested the idea to me and it has been my turn to do the research. This is a good method for you if you are stuck in a situation where you are stuck and you need to come up with some ideas.The first step is to begin to write your paper. You should do a bit of research on the topic and decide what exactly you are going to cover in your paper. You should have some background information about the topic but do not go into it all the way. You should focus more on the background facts and take the time to outline your points.The next ste p is to outline your important concept in the paper. Now, there are several ways to do this. One way is to draw a diagram or diagrammatic representation of the topic. This will allow you to write a few sentences about the topic and then lay out the key points.Another way to write your paper is to use a more conversational style. For example, I had a friend who wrote a very good paper in his honor's thesis about family pets. I was able to follow along and capture his ideas very well.The next step is to start writing the introduction. In this step you are going to explain what your paper is about and how the reader can get a better understanding of the topic. Just like when you are first learning the topic, you are going to jump right in and write a few sentences to let the reader know what your paper is about.The next step is to start writing the body of the paper. In this step you are going to break down the key points that you have developed in the introduction and develop them fur ther into paragraphs. It is always better to write longer paragraphs than shorter ones because it makes the material easier to read.The final part of this process is to organize your paragraphs. You will want to create a table of contents to go along with your paper. Once your table of contents is complete, you can now continue to write your conclusion.

The Apostle Peter Essays - Prophets Of Islam, Fishers,

The Apostle Peter The Apostle Peter, often known as Saint Peter, was the most prominent disciple of Jesus Christ. During his life, he followed Christ with very much devotion, and truly believed in his mission and purpose. Because of his devotion, he was chosen by Jesus to become the first Pope, and to take control of the Christian church. Peter was the son of Jona and he had a younger brother called Andrew, who first brought him to Jesus. His native town was Bethsaida, on the western coast of the Sea of Galilee. He was trained in the occupation of a fisherman. His father died when he was still a young boy, causing him to have to be brought up under the care of Zebedee and his wife Salome with his younger brother. Peter and his brother enjoyed all the advantages of religious training, and were instructed early with an acquaintance with the Scriptures and with the great prophecies regarding the coming of the Messiah. Throughout this time, Peter was not called Peter at all, but in fact, Simon. The Twelve Apostles were men that were chosen out of ordinary people who had ordinary occupations. Peter was a fisherman, and was led to Jesus by his brother, Andrew. The Scriptures state: "And as He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become the fishers of men."" Mark 1:16-17 At the time, being a fisherman was a very common practice. It was the way many people earned their living. In this passage, Peter, at the time Simon, and his brother Andrew were fishing, when Jesus came to them and asked them to become apostles of his. This was the calling of Peter to Jesus. It shows that Jesus honored the poor and humble of society just as much as the rich, if not more so. It gave the lower classes of society something to identify with in that the greatest men of religion were from the lower classes. Once Simon became an apostle for Jesus, his name was changed to what we now no him today, Peter. Jesus told Simon: "And Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it."" Matthew 16: 17-18 Peter means "rock" in Greek, and this means that Jesus wanted his church to be built on a solid foundation, and that he wanted Peter to be deeply entrenched in the church. Jesus renamed Simon, Peter, to express his belief that Peter would be very important in the Christian church. On almost all of the lists of the apostles, Peter in placed at the head of the list because he is the first to be called. He had an impulsive devotion to Jesus, and this is portrayed in his deep commitment and the constant act of being the spokesman for the apostles. He is often the representative of the entire Twelve Apostles. Because of his deep commitment, Jesus became a very good friend with Peter, and the two developed a close relationship. Jesus also entrusted Peter with the control over the Christian church when Jesus died. This demonstrated even more the belief in one another. After Christ's Ascension, Peter becomes the undisputed leader of the church. He takes over in Jesus Christ's mission and ideologies, and begins to preach the ideas of faith to the communities. He becomes very powerful and influential in religious communities. To the Christians, he became the principal preacher of Christianity. He was also the so-called "peace-keeper" between Jews and Christians, who were beginning to find conflict with each other. He also became the spokesman before Jewish authorities. Peter became a very influential and prominent figure in religious life. Peter spent the last years of his life in Rome, where the first of the two epistles written was ascribed to him.