Peter/Nero Discrepancy

There has been a lot of misinformation concerning the death of Peter, Catholics claiming he died in Rome under the persecution of Nero 64-67 AD.

Coptic Wiki

"St Clement, the Roman, was the third Bishop of Rome as stated by St. Irenaeus. Eusabius the scholar further elaborates that St Clement became a Bishop of Rome in the 12th year of Domitian’s regime. So his bishop years extended from 93AD to 101AD. "

Plus they claimed to have recovered Peter's remains in Rome, but it turned out to be a woman's remains.

Plus, a grave near Jerusalem with Peter's name inscribed has been discovered. 

Perhaps the biggest discrepancy is they claim Peter died Oct 13, 64 AD, but that he appointed Clement of Rome as Bishop to the Roman Sea, Clement was Bishop in Rome 93-101 AD.

Even if a few years earlier you are still 20+ years off.

A 29 year disparity between dates. For Peter to have ordained Clement to the Roman see he would have lived past AD 90 or he had to appoint him some 30 years before he took office.

Connecting Peter to Rome is essential for Catholic authority and credibility, it is getting harder for them to maintain their story. The trap is in accepting the writers of Catholicism simply based upon a supposed appointment that is doubtful.

From a faith only perspective it is important because Clement wrote, in his letter to the Corinthians, that man is justified by the same faith and not by works of holiness. Notice he started the concept justification was not of works, disagreeing with James.

He said nothing of being baptized through anothers faith.

Clement was silent on being saved by anothers faith, he likely did not believe it because he believed Christians were called.

Chap. XXXII. — We Are Justified Not by Our Own Works, but by Faith.

Whosoever will candidly consider each particular, will recognise the greatness of the gifts which were given by him.64 For from him65 have sprung the priests and all the Levites who minister at the altar of God. From him also [was descended] our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh. (Comp. Rom_4:5) From him [arose] kings, princes, and rulers of the race of Judah. Nor are his other tribes in small glory, inasmuch as God had promised, "Thy seed shall be as the stars of heaven." (Gen_22:17, Gen_28:4) All these, therefore, were highly honoured, and made great, not for their own sake, or for their own works, or for the righteousness which they wrought, but through the operation of His will. And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Faith only teachers try to say this is faith only, but he uses the phrase, "By that faith", using it in the sense of what was delivered. A particular faith delivered from God to be believed and followed. This I agree with. We have a single faith to follow and believe. It is similar to Jude's usage,

"Contend for the faith once delivered."

Clement was trying to show the faith going back to God's promises in the garden and following, the promise the woman's seed would crush the head of Satan, the promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed.

Clement was incorrect because we have a mature version of that faith with new details not revealed in Genesis 3.

Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, having been hemmed in for the faith which was to be revealed.

Faith was in existence in Abraham's day, but not in the form we are required to follow.

But in other comments he wrote we are justified by works. Saying we are justified by our works and not by our words.

True if wishing someone to be fed, but not feeding them.

Jas 2:15 And if a brother or sister be naked and want daily food:

Jas 2:16 And one of you say to them: Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; yet give them not those things that are necessary for the body, what shall it profit?

False if used incorrectly by saying our words are not part of justification, as if only works and feding the hungry are important.

Clement simply opened the door to controversy by writing loosely.

Jesus said our words were part of justification.

Mat 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

This corresponds to "confession is made unto salvation", confessing the Faith delivered to us.

Compromising to avoid persecution can lead to a false confession rooted in Idolatry.