To: XeniaSt
Do the writings of the "church fathers" trump or impugn the Holy Word of G-d?
NO! They are consistent with the Holy Word. That's my point. But let's consider the passages from the Bible you cite, which have already been addressed above. But I will repeat that argument again here, for your benefit:
If we look at the passages of Scripture you cite, they do state in various ways, and from various parts of Scripture, that the Lord is Our rock. And indeed He is! But this does not contradict the Lord's passing of his authority along to Peter, because by calling Peter rock, the Lord was doing precisely that -- endowing Peter with His authority to teach the Word on the earth after his ascension into heaven -- in order to found the Church that will represent Him on earth.
The Lord is the original rock, and by calling Peter the rock, He is passing that solid foundation of authority to Peter, which in turn He has passed down through the Church in history. And this Church forms the Mystical Body of Christ -- indeed, an unshakeable and firm foundation. The rock.
This idea that the Church is the mystical body of Christ, and that all its members are guided and directed by Christ as the head, is set forth by St. Paul in various passages, more especially in Ephesians 4:4-13 (cf. John 15:5-8). The doctrine may be summarized as follows:
The members of the Church are bound together by a supernatural life communicated to them by Christ through the sacraments (John 15:5). Christ is the center and source of life to Whom all are united, and Who endows each one with gifts fitting him for his position in the body (John 15:7-12). These graces, through which each is equipped for his work, form it into an organized whole, whose parts are knit together as though by a system of ligaments and joints (John 15:16); Colossians 2:19).
Through them, too, the Church has its growth and increase, growing in extension as it spreads through the world, and intensively as the individual Christian develops in himself the likeness of Christ (John 15:13-15).
In virtue of this union the Church is the fulness or complement (pleroma) of Christ (Ephesians 1:23). It forms one whole with Him; and the Apostle even speaks of the Church as "Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12).
This union between head and members is conserved and nourished by the Holy Eucharist. Though this sacrament our incorporation into the Body of Christ is alike outwardly symbolized and inwardly actualized: "We being many are one bread, one body; for we all partake of the one bread" (1 Corinthians 10:17).
So, you see, it is not an either/or issue. You are creating a false choice by saying that either the Lord is the rock OR Peter is the rock. But the valid interpretation is that the Lord is the rock, and by the authority of the Lord, so too Peter becomes the rock. And by way of Peter, via the Lord's command, all Christians in the Church form the Mystical Body of Christ, and so also come to participate in the rock of the Lord.
How do we know that Peter is given this authority. Read the passage in Matthew again:
Matthew 16: 13-17
13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ,[b] the Son of the living God."
17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter,[c] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[d] will not overcome it.[e] 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[f] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[g] loosed in heaven." 20Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
Looking at this passage in context, we can see plainly and clearly that, by referencing Peter's name, which means "rock," he says that He will make Peter the rock or foundation of His Church. While Protestants may claim there may be ambiguity regarding who is referred to by "this rock," the ambiguity is resolved in the subsequent passage, where Christ clearly gives Peter the keys to the Kingdom -- an obvious gesture by which Our Lord passed along His authority to Peter.
But, with that all said, Matthew 16:18 is not the only verse in Scripture which supports the doctrine of Petrine Primacy.
It is very important to realize that none of these verses explicitly say The doctrine of Petrine Primacy is true or that Peter was the first pope and the Catholics are right. However, when taken as whole, all of these verses clearly show that Peter enjoyed a special place among the Apostles, and that it was him Jesus looked to to lead and and strengthen them.
Peter speaks for all of the Apostles
In several places in the Scriptures, Peter speaks for all of the Apostles the others are not consulted, or they simply assumed to agree with Peter. This shows that Peter was the leader of the group.
Matthew 19:27, Mark 8:29, Luke 8:45, 12:41, John 6:69
Peter and his companions
When describing the Apostles, the Gospel writers often chose not to list them individually by name or even write something like the followers of Jesus but rather wrote Peter and his companions. Clearly, one does not describe a group of followers of another man as Peter and his companions unless Peter is the leader.
Luke 9:32, Mark 16:7, Acts 3:37
Peter heads every list
When the Gospel writers do give a list of the Apostles by name, Peter's name heads every single list. This is far more than just a co-incidence, especially when taken with all the other evidence.
Matthew 10:1-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16, Acts 1:13
Peter leads the meeting to replace Judas
When the Apostles decide to replace Judas in Acts 1:13-26 it is Peter who is clearly in charge and leading or chairing the meeting.
Peter's name outnumbers any other Apostle's
The names of all the Apostles appear in Scripture what many people do not realize is that Peter's name appears 195 times in Scripture, which is more than all the rest put together. If Peter is no more important than them, why is his name mentioned so many times more?
The Keys of the Kingdom
In Matthew 16:19 (immediately after the On this rock verse) Jesus gives Peter the keys of the kingdom and the power to bind and loose. This is an example of typology the type being referenced here is the prime minister of the old Judaic Kingdom (referenced in Isaiah 19:20-22.) The keys to the kingdom were a symbolic representation of the authority to make pronouncements and judgments in the King's name (the authority to bind and loose). The fact the same phrase is used in both passages of Scripture makes the comparison clear. Peter is being appointed as the prime minister of the new Kingdom an office which has the authority to speak for the King (Jesus). It is necessary to understand that the Petrine office of the prime minister of the kingdom does not give him authority to dictate to Heaven the authority itself remains with God, but it is exercised on earth through the office of the pope. And while the pope in theory has the authority to do anything, he is protected from error by the infallibility of his office.
Jesus prays for Peter so that he may strengthen others
In Luke 22:32 Jesus says that He has prayed for Peter so that Peter may be able to support the other Apostles He does not pray for them as separate individuals. This clearly shows that Peter is viewed by Jesus as the head of the Apostles, and as representing the entire Church.
Peter is appointed shepherd of Christ's flock
In John 21:17 Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep appointing him shepherd of His flock. This is a command given specifically to Peter, and not the rest of the Apostles. We are all required to carry out spiritual and corporal works of mercy, but the Jesus' words make it very clear that Peter had a specific and special responsibility.
The angel specifically mentions Peter
When Mary Magdalena goes to the tomb on Easter Sunday morning, she sees an angel who tells her to go and tell Jesus' followers that He is risen. In Mark 16:7 the angel makes a very special point of telling Mary to inform Peter; his name is the only name mentioned.
Jesus appears to Peter
In Luke 24:34 the Apostles say that Jesus has appeared to Simon [Peter] they do not mention any other appearances, nor that they have seen Him themselves. Either the appearance to Peter was the only one which they were aware of, or they recognized that it was the only one worth mentioning. In either case, the importance of Peter is clear.
Peter leads the early Church
In the book of Acts there are many instances of Peter taking the initiative and being the first person to undertake a number of tasks or responsibilities. While individuals might take the initiative here and there, only the recognized and authentic leader of the Church would undertake all of these firsts;
Acts 2:14 Peter leads the Apostles in preaching on Pentecost
Acts 2:41 Peter received the first converts
Acts 3:6-7 Peter performed the first miracle at Pentecost
Acts 5:1-11 Peter inflicted the first punishment (Ananias & Saphira)
Acts 8:21 Peter excommunicated the first heretic, Simon Magnus
Acts 15:7 Peter led the first council in Jerusalem
Acts 15:9 Peter pronounces the first dogmatic decision
Peter is given divine revelation
Peter is given divine revelation and not just any revelation, but the revelation that Gentiles are to be allowed into the Church in Acts 10:44-46. This is such a significant and important aspect of Christianity its universal scope that it underscores Peter's authority.
Saint Paul visits Peter
In Galatians 1:18 Saint Paul writes that he visited Cephas [Peter] when he was in Jerusalem why would he do this if Peter did not have some sort of authority? He specifically says that he saw no other Apostles, except James the brother of the Lord (who was the Bishop of Jerusalem so it would be logical for him, as a matter of courtesy, to visit him). But why does Paul meet specifically with Peter and no-one else? The logical answer is that Peter has an authority which the other Apostles do not.
Very solid Biblical evidence. Put these together with the passages from the Early Church Fathers, and it is an air tight case for Petrine Primacy.
552 posted on
01/10/2009 11:18:15 AM PST by
bdeaner
(ue)
To: bdeaner
Psalm 78:35 And they remembered that God was their ROCK,
And the Most High God their Redeemer. The Rock is also our redeemer.
Peter was a Jew who was sent to bring the
Good News of Yah'shua to the disbursed Jews.
The largest population of Jews was in Babylon.
That is where Peter was sent. Sent to the disbursed Jews.
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Adonai
554 posted on
01/10/2009 11:30:04 AM PST by
Uri’el-2012
(Psalm 78:35 And they remembered that God was their ROCK, And the Most High God their Redeemer.)
To: bdeaner
But the valid interpretation AN interpretation is that the Lord is the rock, and by the authority of the Lord, so too Peter becomes the rock.
587 posted on
01/11/2009 4:20:12 AM PST by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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