Legend vs. Scripture

Recently I was talking with Noel about some of the ideas that a lot of people think are scriptural, but are actually church legend. For example:

Peter being crucified upside down. This is found nowhere in the bible.

Simon carrying the cross, because Jesus was too weak to carry it. The bible mentions Simon carrying the cross, but does not say why.

Can you think of any others?

Some years back, knew a lady who repeatedly told her two sons and daughter that CLEANLINESS WAS NEXT TO GODLINESS! When she was asked about the statement, she said it was somewhere in Scripture! Guess with enough imagination and wide interpretation -- we could find something 'like it' in the Bible.

Regarding Simon carrying the cross -- perhaps human compassion compelled him to the task. How exhausting the trek must have been over rough terrain bearing the cumbersome weight of the cross -- OUR SINS!

The related story of (Saint) Veronica wiping the face of Jesus during this same excursion is probably a widespread legend, as well! Fragments of said cloth have been sold as prayerful souvenirs for the past couple of centuries. Thinking about that -- Veronica's cloth must have circled the globe a few times!

And, of course, you know that satan only eats devil food cake. Now, tell me that's not in the Scriptures!

Actually that last bit, about the devil's food cake, is found in Hezekiah chapter 3.

I suppose the shroud of Torin [sp?] could be referenced here as well...

Nowhere in the bible will you find streets of gold mentioned.

I'll make you look it up.

Austin! You never disappoint. Very nice! This has been burned into my head since childhood. Streets of gold. Streets of gold... of course there are streets of gold, as it were! But, alas, I can find it nowhere!

How about "spare the rod, spoil the child."

I believe our good friend Benjamin Franklin gets that quote!

The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.-Rev. 21:21

Okay, so it doesn't say "streets of gold". But at least the Bible mentions one street that is made of gold.