Posted on 12/05/2011 8:58:43 AM PST by Salvation
It was a false claim.
So what you are saying is that any doctrine or dogma built on any assumption would be built on a myth. That would be correct. Even the Catholic Church admits there is no supporting evidence which places any thoughts about the matter in the area of hearsay and conjecture leading to myth. And that is where the CC finds itself today as it pertains to Mary.
No myth as I said before. There are writings from Early Church Fathers (which you choose not to believe.)
One example is that apostles were bi-located to her bedside as the Blessed Virgin Mary died.
I’m not asking you to believe it; I’m just saying there is a foundation of truth here — even though you might choose not to believe it.
And that “example” was written about 600 years after Christ ascended into heaven right? It was in 423 that they declared her to be "the mother of God" to placate the local pagans in Ephesus. The whole Mariology thing is build on hearsay. Not one eyewitness account and not one of the Apostles even mention her after the ascention.
Magesterial Quotes
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Note#16 CT 6; cf. Jn 7:16.Read More
PART ONERead More
THE PROFESSION OF FAITHRead More
535 Jesus' public life begins with his baptism by John in the Jordan. (see note 228) John preaches "a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins". (see note 229) A crowd of sinners (see note 230) - tax collectors and soldiers, Pharisees and Sadducees, and prostitutes- come to be baptized by him. "Then Jesus appears." The Baptist hesitates, but Jesus insists and receives baptism. Then the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes upon Jesus and a voice from heaven proclaims, "This is my beloved Son." (see note 231) This is the manifestation ("Epiphany") of Jesus as Messiah of Israel and Son of God.Read More
536 The baptism of Jesus is on his part the acceptance and inauguration of his mission as God's suffering Servant. He allows himself to be numbered among sinners; he is already "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world". (see note 232) Already he is anticipating the "baptism" of his bloody death. (see note 233) Already he is coming to "fulfill all righteousness", that is, he is submitting himself entirely to his Father's will: out of love he consents to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins. (see note 234) The Father's voice responds to the Son's acceptance, proclaiming his entire delight in his Son. (see note 235) The Spirit whom Jesus possessed in fullness from his conception comes to "rest on him". (see note 236) Jesus will be the source of the Spirit for all mankind. At his baptism "the heavens were opened" (see note 237) - the heavens that Adam's sin had closed - and the waters were sanctified by the descent of Jesus and the Spirit, a prelude to the new creation.Read More
Jesus' temptationsRead More
538 The Gospels speak of a time of solitude for Jesus in the desert immediately after his baptism by John. Driven by the Spirit into the desert, Jesus remains there for forty days without eating; he lives among wild beasts, and angels minister to him. (see note 241) At the end of this time Satan tempts him three times, seeking to compromise his filial attitude toward God. Jesus rebuffs these attacks, which recapitulate the temptations of Adam in Paradise and of Israel in the desert, and the devil leaves him "until an opportune time". (see note 242)Read More
539 The evangelists indicate the salvific meaning of this mysterious event: Jesus is the new Adam who remained faithful just where the first Adam had given in to temptation. Jesus fulfills Israel's vocation perfectly: in contrast to those who had once provoked God during forty years in the desert, Christ reveals himself as God's Servant, totally obedient to the divine will. In this, Jesus is the devil's conqueror: he "binds the strong man" to take back his plunder. (see note 243) Jesus' victory over the tempter in the desert anticipates victory at the Passion, the supreme act of obedience of his filial love for the Father.Read More
550 The coming of God's kingdom means the defeat of Satan's: "If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." (see note 277) Jesus' exorcisms free some individuals from the domination of demons. They anticipate Jesus' great victory over "the ruler of this world". (see note 278) The kingdom of God will be definitively established through Christ's cross: "God reigned from the wood." (see note 279)Read More
THE PROFESSION OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITHRead More
Note#370 Cf. Jn 5:18; 10:33; 17:6, 26.Read More
Note#375 Cf. Isa 53:1.Read More
THE PROFESSION OF FAITHRead More
Note#249 Acts 20:32.Read More
821 Certain things are required in order to respond adequately to this call: - a permanent renewal of the Church in greater fidelity to her vocation; such renewal is the driving-force of the movement toward unity; (see note 280) - conversion of heart as the faithful "try to live holier lives according to the Gospel"; (see note 281) for it is the unfaithfulness of the members to Christ's gift which causes divisions; - prayer in common, because "change of heart and holiness of life, along with public and private prayer for the unity of Christians, should be regarded as the soul of the whole ecumenical movement, and merits the name 'spiritual ecumenism;"' (see note 282) - fraternal knowledge of each other; (see note 283) - ecumenical formation of the faithful and especially of priests; (see note 284) - dialogue among theologians and meetings among Christians of the different churches and communities; (see note 285) - collaboration among Christians in various areas of service to mankind. (see note 286) "Human service" is the idiomatic phrase.Read More
The Church and non-ChristiansRead More
845 To reunite all his children, scattered and led astray by sin, the Father willed to call the whole of humanity together into his Son's Church. The Church is the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation. The Church is "the world reconciled." She is that bark which "in the full sail of the Lord's cross, by the breath of the Holy Spirit, navigates safely in this world." According to another image dear to the Church Fathers, she is prefigured by Noah's ark, which alone saves from the flood. (see note 334)Read More
846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers? (see note 335) Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body: Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it. (see note 336)Read More
852 Missionary paths. The Holy Spirit is the protagonist, "the principal agent of the whole of the Church's mission." (see note 345) It is he who leads the Church on her missionary paths. "This mission continues and, in the course of history, unfolds the mission of Christ, who was sent to evangelize the poor; so the Church, urged on by the Spirit of Christ, must walk the road Christ himself walked, a way of poverty and obedience, of service and self-sacrifice even to death, a death from which he emerged victorious by his resurrection." (see note 346) So it is that "the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians." (see note 347)Read More
853 On her pilgrimage, the Church has also experienced the "discrepancy existing between the message she proclaims and the human weakness of those to whom the Gospel has been entrusted." (see note 348) Only by taking the "way of penance and renewal," the "narrow way of the cross," can the People of God extend Christ's reign. (see note 349) For "just as Christ carried out the work of redemption in poverty and oppression, so the Church is called to follow the same path if she is to communicate the fruits of salvation to men." (see note 350)Read More
Note#379 AA 3.Read More
Note#381 Eph 1:4.Read More
Note#383 Rev 21:10-11.Read More
Note#384 Rev 21:14.Read More
Catechism of the Catholic Church - PART 1 SECTION 2 CHAPTER 3 ARTICLE 9 PARAGRAPH 4Read More
PART ONERead More
THE PROFESSION OF FAITHRead More
873 The very differences which the Lord has willed to put between the members of his body serve its unity and mission. For "in the Church there is diversity of ministry but unity of mission. To the apostles and their successors Christ has entrusted the office of teaching, sanctifying and governing in his name and by his power. But the laity are made to share in the priestly, prophetical, and kingly office of Christ; they have therefore, in the Church and in the world, their own assignment in the mission of the whole People of God." (see note 387) Finally, "from both groups [hierarchy and laity] there exist Christian faithful who are consecrated to God in their own special manner and serve the salvific mission of the Church through the profession of the evangelical counsels." (see note 388)Read More
I. THE HIERARCHICAL CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCHRead More
920 Without always professing the three evangelical counsels publicly, hermits "devote their life to the praise of God and salvation of the world through a stricter separation from the world, the silence of solitude and assiduous prayer and penance." (see note 460)Read More
THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCHRead More
Note#78 Cf. Eph 5:21; 1 Cor 16:15-16; 1 Thess 5:12-13; Jn 13:12-15.Read More
Supporting Bible Passages
Isaiah Chapter 22
15: Thus says the Lord GOD of hosts, "Come, go to this steward, to Shebna, who is over the household, and say to him: 16: What have you to do here and whom have you here, that you have hewn here a tomb for yourself, you who hew a tomb on the height, and carve a habitation for yourself in the rock? 17: Behold, the LORD will hurl you away violently, O you strong man. He will seize firm hold on you, 18: and whirl you round and round, and throw you like a ball into a wide land; there you shall die, and there shall be your splendid chariots, you shame of your master's house. 19: I will thrust you from your office, and you will be cast down from your station. 20: In that day I will call my servant Eli'akim the son of Hilki'ah, 21: and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your girdle on him, and will commit your authority to his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. 22: And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. 23: And I will fasten him like a peg in a sure place, and he will become a throne of honor to his father's house. 24: And they will hang on him the whole weight of his father's house, the offspring and issue, every small vessel, from the cups to all the flagons. 25: In that day, says the LORD of hosts, the peg that was fastened in a sure place will give way; and it will be cut down and fall, and the burden that was upon it will be cut off, for the LORD has spoken."Read More
Isaiah Chapter 51
1: "Hearken to me, you who pursue deliverance, you who seek the LORD; look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were digged. 2: Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for when he was but one I called him, and I blessed him and made him many.Read More
Matthew Chapter 10
2: The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zeb'edee, and John his brother; 3: Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4: Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.Read More
Matthew Chapter 14
28: And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." 29: He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; 30: but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31: Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32: And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33: And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."Read More
Matthew Chapter 16
15: He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16: Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17: And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18: And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. 19: I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."Read More
Matthew Chapter 17
24: When they came to Caper'na-um, the collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, "Does not your teacher pay the tax?" 25: He said, "Yes." And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from others?" 26: And when he said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. 27: However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel; take that and give it to them for me and for yourself."Read More
Matthew Chapter 23
1: Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples, 2: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; 3: so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice.Read More
Luke Chapter 5
1: While the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennes'aret. 2: And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3: Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.Read More
Luke Chapter 22
31: "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32: but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren."Read More
John Chapter 1
42: He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter).Read More
Read More
John Chapter 21
15: When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." 16: A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17: He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.Read More
Acts Chapter 1
15: In those days Peter stood up among the brethren (the company of persons was in all about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16: "Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas who was guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17: For he was numbered among us, and was allotted his share in this ministry. 18: (Now this man bought a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19: And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Akel'dama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20: For it is written in the book of Psalms, `Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it'; and `His office let another take.' 21: So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22: beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us -- one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection." 23: And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsab'bas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthi'as. 24: And they prayed and said, "Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou hast chosen 25: to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place." 26: And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthi'as; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles.Read More
Acts Chapter 2
14: But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15: For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day; 16: but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17: `And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18: yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19: And I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20: the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day. 21: And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' 22: "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know -- 23: this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24: But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25: For David says concerning him, `I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26: therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. 27: For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption. 28: Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of gladness with thy presence.' 29: "Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30: Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, 31: he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32: This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33: Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear. 34: For David did not ascend into the heavens; but he himself says, `The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, 35: till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet.' 36: Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."Read More
Acts Chapter 3
1: Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2: And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple. 3: Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. 4: And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, "Look at us." 5: And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them. 6: But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7: And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8: And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9: And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10: and recognized him as the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.Read More
Acts Chapter 4
8: Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, 9: if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple, by what means this man has been healed, 10: be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well. 11: This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the head of the corner. 12: And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."Read More
Acts Chapter 5
3: But Peter said, "Anani'as, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4: While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5: When Anani'as heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6: The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 7: After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8: And Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much." And she said, "Yes, for so much." 9: But Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Hark, the feet of those that have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10: Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11: And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard of these things.Read More
15: so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.Read More
Acts Chapter 8
9: But there was a man named Simon who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the nation of Sama'ria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10: They all gave heed to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is that power of God which is called Great." 11: And they gave heed to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12: But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13: Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. 14: Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Sama'ria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15: who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16: for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17: Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18: Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19: saying, "Give me also this power, that any one on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." 20: But Peter said to him, "Your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21: You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22: Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23: For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity." 24: And Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me." 25: Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.Read More
Acts Chapter 9
32: Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. 33: There he found a man named Aene'as, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. 34: And Peter said to him, "Aene'as, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. 35: And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.Read More
36: Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37: In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38: Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." 39: So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. 40: But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41: And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. 42: And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43: And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.Read More
Acts Chapter 10
9: The next day, as they were on their journey and coming near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10: And he became hungry and desired something to eat; but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11: and saw the heaven opened, and something descending, like a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth. 12: In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13: And there came a voice to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." 14: But Peter said, "No, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean." 15: And the voice came to him again a second time, "What God has cleansed, you must not call common." 16: This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. 17: Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate 18: and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19: And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you. 20: Rise and go down, and accompany them without hesitation; for I have sent them." 21: And Peter went down to the men and said, "I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?" 22: And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house, and to hear what you have to say." 23: So he called them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went off with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24: And on the following day they entered Caesare'a. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his kinsmen and close friends. 25: When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26: But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am a man." 27: And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered; 28: and he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit any one of another nation; but God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29: So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me." 30: And Cornelius said, "Four days ago, about this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel, 31: saying, `Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32: Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the seaside.' 33: So I sent to you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord." 34: And Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, 35: but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36: You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37: the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39: And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40: but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; 41: not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42: And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43: To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."Read More
Acts Chapter 12
5: So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.Read More
Acts Chapter 15
7: And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8: And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us; 9: and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith.Read More
1 Corinthians Chapter 15
3: For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4: that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5: and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.Read More
Galatians Chapter 1 18: Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days.Read More
Revelation Chapter 3
7: "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: `The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one shall shut, who shuts and no one opens.Read More
Early Church Fathers
Ignatius of Antioch [50-117 AD] Epistle to the Romans Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church [in Rome] which has obtained mercy, through the majesty of the Most High Father, and Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son; the Church which is beloved and enlightened by the will of Him... and which presides over love, is named from Christ, and from the Father...Read More
"Not as Peter and Paul did, do I command you [Romans]. They were apostles, and I am a convict" (Letter to the Romans 4:3 [A.D. 110]).Read More
Irenaeus of Lyons [120-180 AD] Adversus Haereses (Book III, Chapter 1
) "Matthew also issued among the Hebrews a written Gospel in their own language, while Peter and Paul were evangelizing in Rome and laying the foundation of the Church" (Against Heresies, 3, 1:1 [A.D. 189]).Read More
Irenaeus of Lyons [120-180 AD] Adversus Haereses (Book III, Chapter 3)
"But since it would be too long to enumerate in such a volume as this the succession of all the churches, we shall confound all those who, in whatever manner, whether through self-satisfaction or vainglory, or through blindness and wicked opinion, assemble other than where it is proper, by pointing out here the succession of the bishops of the greatest and most ancient church known to all, founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul, that church which has the tradition and the faith which comes down to us after having been announced to men by the apostles. With that church [of Rome], because of its superior origin, all the churches must agree, that is, all the faithful in the whole world, and it is in her that the faithful everywhere have maintained the apostolic tradition" (ibid., 3, 3, 2).Read More
"The blessed apostles [Peter and Paul], having founded and built up the church [of Rome] . . . handed over the office of the episcopate to Linus" (Against Heresies 3:3:3 [A.D. 189]).Read More
Tatian the Syrian [120-180 AD] The Diatessaron (Section 24) "Simon Cephas answered and said, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah: flesh and blood has not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say unto thee also, that you are Cephas, and on this rock will I build my Church; and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it" (The Diatesseron 23 [A.D. 170]).Read More
Clement of Alexandria [150-215 AD] Who is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?
"[T]he blessed Peter, the chosen, the preeminent, the first among the disciples, for whom alone with himself the Savior paid the tribute [Matt. 17:27], quickly grasped and understood their meaning. And what does he say? ‘Behold, we have left all and have followed you’ [Matt. 19:27; Mark 10:28]" (Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 21:3–5 [A.D. 200]).Read More
Clement of Alexandria [150-215 AD] Fragments "The circumstances which occasioned . . . [the writing] of Mark were these: When Peter preached the Word publicly at Rome and declared the gospel by the Spirit, many who were present requested that Mark, who had been a long time his follower and who remembered his sayings, should write down what had been proclaimed" (Sketches [A.D. 200], in a fragment from Eusebius, History of the Church, 6, 14:1).Read More
Tertullian [160-240 AD] The Prescription Against Heretics "Was anything withheld from the knowledge of Peter, who is called ‘the rock on which the Church would be built’ [Matt. 16:18] with the power of ‘loosing and binding in heaven and on earth’ [Matt. 16:19]?" (Demurrer Against the Heretics 22 [A.D. 200]).Read More
"[T]his is the way in which the apostolic churches transmit their lists: like the church of the Smyrneans, which records that Polycarp was placed there by John, like the church of the Romans, where Clement was ordained by Peter" (Demurrer Against the Heretics 32:2 [A.D. 200]).Read More "But if you are near Italy, you have Rome, where authority is at hand for us too. What a happy church that is, on which the apostles poured out their whole doctrine with their blood; where Peter had a passion like that of the Lord, where Paul was crowned with the death of John [the Baptist, by being beheaded]" (Demurrer Against the Heretics 36 [A.D. 200]).Read More
Tertullian [160-240 AD] Scorpiace
"For though you think that heaven is still shut up, remember that the Lord left the keys of it to Peter here, and through him to the Church, which keys everyone will carry with him if he has been questioned and made a confession [of faith]" (Antidote Against the Scorpion 10 [A.D. 211]).Read More
Tertullian [160-240 AD] On Modesty
"[T]he Lord said to Peter, ‘On this rock I will build my Church, I have given you the keys of the kingdom of heaven [and] whatever you shall have bound or loosed on earth will be bound or loosed in heaven’ [Matt. 16:18–19]. . . . Upon you, he says, I will build my Church; and I will give to you the keys, not to the Church" (Modesty 21:9–10 [A.D. 220]).Read More
Tertullian [160-240 AD] Against Marcion, Book IV
"Let us see what milk the Corinthians drained from Paul; against what standard the Galatians were measured for correction; what the Philippians, Thessalonians, and Ephesians read; what even the nearby Romans sound forth, to whom both Peter and Paul bequeathed the gospel and even sealed it with their blood" (Against Marcion 4, 5:1 [A.D. 210]).Read More
Origen [185-254 AD] De Principiis (Book IV) "You cannot deny that you are aware that in the city of Rome the episcopal chair was given first to Peter; the chair in which Peter sat, the same who was head-that is why he is also called Cephas [‘Rock’]-of all the apostles; the one chair in which unity is maintained by all" (The Schism of the Donatists 2:2 [A.D. 367]).Read More
Origen [185-254 AD] Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew (Book XII)
...in what sense it is said to Peter, and to every Peter, "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven."...Read More
Origen [185-254 AD] Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew (Book XIII)
"[I]f we were to attend carefully to the Gospels, we should also find, in relation to those things which seem to be common to Peter . . . a great difference and a preeminence in the things [Jesus] said to Peter, compared with the second class [of apostles]. For it is no small difference that Peter received the keys not of one heaven but of more, and in order that whatsoever things he binds on earth may be bound not in one heaven but in them all, as compared with the many who bind on earth and loose on earth, so that these things are bound and loosed not in [all] the heavens, as in the case of Peter, but in one only; for they do not reach so high a stage with power as Peter to bind and loose in all the heavens" (Commentary on Matthew 13:31 [A.D. 248]).Read More
Dionysius the Great [190-265 AD] Exegetical Fragments
"You [Pope Soter] have also, by your very admonition, brought together the planting that was made by Peter and Paul at Rome and at Corinth; for both of them alike planted in our Corinth and taught us; and both alike, teaching similarly in Italy, suffered martyrdom at the same time" (Letter to Pope Soter [A.D. 170], in Eusebius, History of the Church 2:25:8).Read More
Miscellaneous [Unknown] A Treatise on Re-Baptism (c. 255) "Be it known to you, my lord, that Simon [Peter], who, for the sake of the true faith, and the most sure foundation of his doctrine, was set apart to be the foundation of the Church, and for this end was by Jesus himself, with his truthful mouth, named Peter" (Letter of Clement to James 2 [A.D. 221]).Read More
Cyprian of Carthage [200-270 AD] Epistle 8
"There [John 6:68–69] speaks Peter, upon whom the Church would be built, teaching in the name of the Church and showing that even if a stubborn and proud multitude withdraws because it does not wish to obey, yet the Church does not withdraw from Christ. The people joined to the priest and the flock clinging to their shepherd are the Church. You ought to know, then, that the bishop is in the Church and the Church in the bishop, and if someone is not with the bishop, he is not in the Church. They vainly flatter themselves who creep up, not having peace with the priests of God, believing that they areRead More
Cyprian of Carthage [200-270 AD] Epistle 26
...describing the honour of a bishop and the order of His Church, speaks in the Gospel, and says to Peter: "I say unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my ChurchRead More
Cyprian of Carthage [200-270 AD] Epistle 51
"Cornelius was made bishop by the decision of God and of his Christ, by the testimony of almost all the clergy, by the applause of the people then present, by the college of venerable priests and good men, at a time when no one had been made [bishop] before him-when the place of [Pope] Fabian, which is the place of Peter, the dignity of the sacerdotal chair, was vacant. Since it has been occupied both at the will of God and with the ratified consent of all of us, whoever now wishes to become bishop must do so outside. For he cannot have ecclesiastical rank who does not hold to the unity of the Church" (Letters 55:[52]):8 [A.D. 253]).Read More
Cyprian of Carthage [200-270 AD] Epistle 54
"With a false bishop appointed for themselves by heretics, they dare even to set sail and carry letters from schismatics and blasphemers to the chair of Peter and to the principal church [at Rome], in which sacerdotal unity has its source" (ibid., 59:14).Read More
Cyprian of Carthage [200-270 AD] Epistle 74
the foundation of the one Church ... based by Christ upon the rock ... that Christ said to Peter alone... the one Catholic Church in which we are...Read More
... the foundation of the one Church which was once based by Christ upon the rock, may be perceived from this, that Christ said to Peter alone, "Whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound ...Read More
... he holds the succession from Peter," on whom the foundations of the Church were laid...Read More
Cyprian of Carthage [200-270 AD] Treatise 1
"The Lord says to Peter: ‘I say to you,’ he says, ‘that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it. ... ’ [Matt. 16:18]. On him [Peter] he builds the Church, and to him he gives the command to feed the sheep [John 21:17], and although he assigns a like power to all the apostles, yet he founded a single chair [cathedra], and he established by his own authority a source and an intrinsic reason for that unity. . . . If someone [today] does not hold fast to this unity of Peter, can he imagine that he still holds the faith? If he [should] desert the chair of Peter upon whom the Church was built, can he still be confident that he is in the Church?" (The Unity of the Catholic Church 4; first edition [A.D. 251]).Read More
Cyprian of Carthage [200-270 AD] Treatise 11
"There is one God and one Christ, and one Church, and one chair founded on Peter by the word of the Lord. It is not possible to set up another altar or for there to be another priesthood besides that one altar and that one priesthood. Whoever has gathered elsewhere is scattering" (Letters 43[40]:5 [A.D. 253]).Read More
Peter of Alexandria [260-311 AD] The Genuine Acts of Peter ...and guardian of all preceding and subsequent occupiers of this pontifical chair ...Peter was the first of the apostles...Read More
Peter of Alexandria [260-311 AD] The Canonical Epistle "Peter, the first chosen of the apostles, having been apprehended often and thrown into prison and treated with ignominy, at last was crucified in Rome" (Penance, canon 9 [A.D. 306]).Read More
Eusebius of Caesarea [265-340 AD] Oration in Praise of Constantine
"[In the second] year of the two hundredth and fifth Olympiad [A.D. 42]: The apostle Peter, after he has established the church in Antioch, is sent to Rome, where he remains as a bishop of that city, preaching the gospel for twenty-five years" (The Chronicle [A.D. 303]).Read More Eusebius of Caesarea [265-340 AD] Church History (Book II) ... Paul was beheaded in Rome itself, and that Peter likewise was crucified under Nero...Read More
Eusebius of Caesarea [265-340 AD] Church History (Book III)
"Paul testifies that Crescens was sent to Gaul [2 Tim. 4:10], but Linus, whom he mentions in the Second Epistle to Timothy [2 Tim. 4:21] as his companion at Rome, was Peter’s successor in the episcopate of the church there, as has already been shown. Clement also, who was appointed third bishop of the church at Rome, was, as Paul testifies, his co-laborer and fellow-soldier [Phil. 4:3]" (Church History 3:4:9–10 [A.D. 312]).Read More
...third that held the episcopate there after Paul and Peter. Linus was the first, and after him came...Read More Eusebius of Caesarea [265-340 AD] Church History (Book V) ...Victor, who was the thirteenth bishop of Rome from Peter...Read More
Lactantius [290-350 AD] Of the Manner In Which the Persecutors Died
"When Nero was already reigning, Peter came to Rome, where, in virtue of the performance of certain miracles which he worked . . . he converted many to righteousness and established a firm and steadfast temple to God. When this fact was reported to Nero . . . he sprang to the task of tearing down the heavenly temple and of destroying righteousness. It was he that first persecuted the servants of God. Peter he fixed to a cross, and Paul he slew" (The Deaths of the Persecutors 2:5 [A.D. 318]).Read More
Sardica (344) [LOCAL] [344 AD] Sardica (344) [LOCAL] ...honour the memory of Peter the Apostle, and let those who gave judgment write to Julius, the bishop of Rome...Read More
Ephraim the Syrian, St [306-373 AD] The Nisibene Hymns "[Jesus said:] Simon, my follower, I have made you the foundation of the holy Church. I betimes called you Peter, because you will support all its buildings. You are the inspector of those who will build on Earth a Church for me. If they should wish to build what is false, you, the foundation, will condemn them. You are the head of the fountain from which my teaching flows; you are the chief of my disciples. Through you I will give drink to all peoples. Yours is that life-giving sweetness which I dispense. I have chosen you to be, as it were, the firstborn in my institution so that, as the heir, you may be executor of my treasures. I have given you the keys of my kingdom. Behold, I have given you authority over all my treasures" (Homilies 4:1 [A.D. 351]).Read More
Cyril of Jerusalem, St [315-386 AD] Catechetical Lecture 2 "The Lord is loving toward men, swift to pardon but slow to punish. Let no man despair of his own salvation. Peter, the first and foremost of the apostles, denied the Lord three times before a little servant girl, but he repented and wept bitterly" (Catechetical Lectures 2:19 [A.D. 350]).Read More
Cyril of Jerusalem, St [315-386 AD] Catechetical Lecture 6 "[Simon Magus] so deceived the city of Rome that Claudius erected a statue of him. . . .While the error was extending itself, Peter and Paul arrived, a noble pair and the rulers of the Church, and they set the error aright. . . . [T]hey launched the weapon of their like-mindedness in prayer against the Magus, and struck him down to earth. It was marvelous enough, and yet no marvel at all, for Peter was there-he that carries about the keys of heaven. And it was nothing to marvel at, for Paul was there-he that was caught up into the third heaven" (Catechetical Lectures 6:14 [A.D. 350]).Read More
Cyril of Jerusalem, St [315-386 AD] Catechetical Lecture 17 "In the power of the same Holy Spirit, Peter, both the chief of the apostles and the keeper of the keys of the kingdom of heaven, in the name of Christ healed Aeneas the paralytic at Lydda, which is now called Diospolis [Acts 9:32–34]" (ibid., 17:27).Read More
Ambrose of Milan, St [340-397 AD] On the Mysteries "It is to Peter that he says: ‘You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church’ [Matt. 16:18]. Where Peter is, there is the Church. And where the Church is, no death is there, but life eternal" (Commentary on Twelve Psalms of David 40:30 [A.D. 389]).Read More
Ambrose of Milan, St [340-397 AD] Exposition of the Christian Faith, Book IV
"[Christ] made answer: ‘You are Peter, and upon this rock will I build my Church. . . .’ Could he not, then, strengthen the faith of the man to whom, acting on his own authority, he gave the kingdom, whom he called the rock, thereby declaring him to be the foundation of the Church [Matt. 16:18]?" (The Faith 4:5 [A.D. 379]).Read More
Ambrose of Milan, St [340-397 AD] Concerning Repentance (Book I)
"[T]hey [the Novatian heretics] have not the succession of Peter, who hold not the chair of Peter, which they rend by wicked schism; and this, too, they do, wickedly denying that sins can be forgiven [by the sacrament of confession] even in the Church, whereas it was said to Peter: ‘I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound also in heaven, and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven’[Matt. 16:19]" (Penance 1:7:33 [A.D. 388]).Read More
John Chrysostom, St [347-407 AD] Homily 10 on Second Timothy
Linus... was second Bishop of the Church of Rome after Peter.Read More
John Chrysostom, St [347-407 AD] Homily 88 on the Gospel of John
... He appointed Peter teacher, not of the chair, but of the world.Read More
Tyrannius Rufinus [340-410 AD] Prefaces
...Linus and Cletus were... Bishops in the city of Rome...gives an account of the death of Peter, and says that he has left him as his successor...Read More
Miscellaneous [Unknown] Canons of the Thirteen Holy Fathers (various dates)
"You cannot deny that you are aware that in the city of Rome the episcopal chair was given first to Peter; the chair in which Peter sat, the same who was head-that is why he is also called Cephas [‘Rock’]-of all the apostles; the one chair in which unity is maintained by all" (The Schism of the Donatists 2:2 [A.D. 367]).Read More
Miscellaneous [Unknown] Apostolic Constitutions (Book VI) "It is recorded that Paul was beheaded in Rome itself, and Peter, likewise, was crucified, during the reign [of the Emperor Nero]. The account is confirmed by the names of Peter and Paul over the cemeteries there, which remain to the present time. And it is confirmed also by a stalwart man of the Church, Gaius by name, who lived in the time of Zephyrinus, bishop of Rome. This Gaius, in a written disputation with Proclus, the leader of the sect of Cataphrygians, says this of the places in which the remains of the aforementioned apostles were deposited: ‘I can point out the trophies of the apostles. For if you are willing to go to the Vatican or to the Ostian Way, you will find the trophies of those who founded this Church’" (Disputation with Proclus [A.D. 198] in Eusebius, Church History 2:25:5).Read More
Jerome, St [347-420 AD] To Pammachius Against John of Jerusalem
"I follow no leader but Christ and join in communion with none but your blessedness [Pope Damasus I], that is, with the chair of Peter. I know that this is the rock on which the Church has been built. Whoever eats the Lamb outside this house is profane. Anyone who is not in the ark of Noah will perish when the flood prevails" (Letters 15:2 [A.D. 396]).Read More
Jerome, St [347-420 AD] The Dialogue Against the Luciferians
"[Pope] Stephen . . . was the blessed Peter’s twenty-second successor in the See of Rome" (Against the Luciferians 23 [A.D. 383]).Read More
Jerome, St [347-420 AD] Against Vigilantius Does the bishop of Rome do wrong when he offers sacrifices to the Lord over the venerable bones of the dead men Peter and Paul...Read More
Jerome, St [347-420 AD] De Viris Illustribus (Illustrious Men)
"Simon Peter, the son of John, from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, brother of Andrew the apostle, and himself chief of the apostles, after having been bishop of the church of Antioch and having preached to the Dispersion . . . pushed on to Rome in the second year of Claudius to overthrow Simon Magus, and held the sacerdotal chair there for twenty-five years until the last, that is the fourteenth, year of Nero. At his hands he received the crown of martyrdom being nailed to the cross with his head towards the ground and his feet raised on high, asserting that he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord" (Lives of Illustrious Men 1 [A.D. 396]).Read More
"Clement, of whom the apostle Paul writing to the Philippians says ‘With Clement and others of my fellow-workers whose names are written in the book of life,’ the fourth bishop of Rome after Peter, if indeed the second was Linus and the third Anacletus, although most of the Latins think that Clement was second after the apostle" (Lives of Illustrious Men 15 [A.D. 396]).Read More
Jerome, St [347-420 AD] Letter 15
"Since the East, shattered as it is by the long-standing feuds, subsisting between its peoples, is bit by bit tearing into shreds the seamless vest of the Lord . . . I think it my duty to consult the chair of Peter, and to turn to a church [Rome] whose faith has been praised by Paul [Rom. 1:8]. I appeal for spiritual food to the church whence I have received the garb of Christ. . . . Evil children have squandered their patrimony; you alone keep your heritage intact" (Letters 15:1 [A.D. 396]).Read More ... that is with the chair of Peter. For this, I know, is the rock on which the church is built!Read More
Jerome, St [347-420 AD] Letter 16
..."He who clings to the chair of Peter is accepted by me." ...Read More
...He who clings to the chair of Peter is accepted by me...Read More
Jerome, St [347-420 AD] Letter 97
...the whole East admires and praises Rome may gladly take to her heart. And may the chair of the apostle Peter by its preaching ...Read More
Jerome, St [347-420 AD] Against the Pelagians (Book I) "‘But,’ you [Jovinian] will say, ‘it was on Peter that the Church was founded’ [Matt. 16:18]. Well . . . one among the twelve is chosen to be their head in order to remove any occasion for division" (Against Jovinian 1:26 [A.D. 393]).Read More
Augustine of Hippo, St [354-430 AD] Against the Epistle of Manichaeus Called Fundamental
The succession of priests keeps me, beginning from the very seat of the Apostle Peter, to whom the Lord, after His resurrection, gave it in charge to feed His sheep, down to the present episcopate.Read More Augustine of Hippo, St [354-430 AD] Letter 53 (A.D. 400) "If the very order of episcopal succession is to be considered, how much more surely, truly, and safely do we number them from Peter himself, to whom, as to one representing the whole Church, the Lord said, ‘Upon this rock I will build my Church’ . . . [Matt. 16:18]. Peter was succeeded by Linus, Linus by Clement, Clement by Anacletus, Anacletus by Evaristus . . . " (Letters 53:1:2 [A.D. 412]).Read More
Augustine of Hippo, St [354-430 AD] Answer to Petilian the Donatist (Book II)
"If all men throughout the world were such as you most vainly accuse them of having been, what has the chair of the Roman church done to you, in which Peter sat, and in which Anastasius sits today?" (Against the Letters of Petilani 2:118 [A.D. 402]).Read More
Augustine of Hippo, St [354-430 AD] Tractate 7 (John 1:34-51) "Who is ignorant that the first of the apostles is the most blessed Peter?" (Commentary on John 56:1 [A.D. 416]).Read More
Augustine of Hippo, St [354-430 AD] Tractate 9 (John 2:1-2) "Among these [apostles] Peter alone almost everywhere deserved to represent the whole Church. Because of that representation of the Church, which only he bore, he deserved to hear ‘I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven’" (Sermons 295:2 [A.D. 411]).Read More
Augustine of Hippo, St [354-430 AD] Tractate 50 (John 11:55-12)
"Some things are said which seem to relate especially to the apostle Peter, and yet are not clear in their meaning unless referred to the Church, which he is acknowledged to have represented in a figure on account of the primacy which he bore among the disciples. Such is ‘I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven,’ and other similar passages. In the same way, Judas represents those Jews who were Christ’s enemies" (Commentary on Psalm 108 1 [A.D. 415]).Read More
Sozomen [375-447 AD] Ecclesiastical History (Book VII)
He made known by this law his intention of leading all his subjects to the reception of that faith which Peter, the chief of the apostles, had, from the beginning...Read More Chalcedon (451) [ECUMENICAL]
...blessed Leo, archbishop of the great and elder Rome, through us, and through this present most holy synod together with the thrice blessed and all-glorious Peter the Apostle, who is the rock...Read More
Leo the Great, Pope [395-461 AD] Sermon 3 ... From Christ and through S. Peter the priesthood is handed on in perpetuity...Read More
Leo the Great, Pope [395-461 AD] Sermon 34
"Our Lord Jesus Christ . . . established the worship belonging to the divine [Christian] religion. . . . But the Lord desired that the sacrament of this gift should pertain to all the apostles in such a way that it might be found principally in the most blessed Peter, the highest of all the apostles. And he wanted his gifts to flow into the entire body from Peter himself, as if from the head, in such a way that anyone who had dared to separate himself from the solidarity of Peter would realize that he was himself no longer a sharer in the divine mystery" (ibid., 10:2–3).Read More
Leo the Great, Pope [395-461 AD] Letter 10
"As for the resolution of the bishops which is contrary to the Nicene decree, in union with your faithful piety, I declare it to be invalid and annul it by the authority of the holy apostle Peter" (Letters 110 [A.D. 445]).Read More Leo the Great, Pope [395-461 AD] Letter 14
"Although bishops have a common dignity, they are not all of the same rank. Even among the most blessed apostles, though they were alike in honor, there was a certain distinction of power. All were equal in being chosen, but it was given to one to be preeminent over the others. . . . [So today through the bishops] the care of the universal Church would converge in the one See of Peter, and nothing should ever be at odds with this head" (ibid., 14:11).Read More
Leo the Great, Pope [395-461 AD] Letter 33 He comments the Emperor's appeal to the chair of Peter...Read More
Leo the Great, Pope [395-461 AD] Letter 52 To Leo, bishop of Rome. I. If Paul appealed to Peter how much more must ordinary folk have recourse to his successor.Read More
Leo the Great, Pope [395-461 AD] Letter 56
When on our very arrival in the ancient city, we were engaged in paying our devotion to the most blessed Apostle Peter, at the martyr's very altar, the most reverend Bishop Leo ...Read More
Leo the Great, Pope [395-461 AD] Letter 98 And this golden chain leading down from the Author of the command to us, you yourself have stedfastly preserved, being set as the mouthpiece unto all of the blessed Peter...Read More Leo the Great, Pope [395-461 AD] Letter 120 ...and fellow-priests, whom the See of the blessed Peter sent to the holy council...Read More
Leo the Great, Pope [395-461 AD] Letter 124
"Whereupon the blessed Peter, as inspired by God, and about to benefit all nations by his confession, said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Not undeservedly, therefore, was he pronounced blessed by the Lord, and derived from the original Rock that solidity which belonged both to his virtue and to his name [Peter]" (The Tome of Leo [A.D. 449]).Read More
Leo the Great, Pope [395-461 AD] Letter 156
the universal Church has become a rock of the Apostles, the most blessed Peter, heard the voice of the LORD saying, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock (petra) I will build My Church...Read More
Gregory the Great, Pope [540-604 AD] Book II, Letter 41 ... by the authority of the blessed Peter, Prince of the apostles, in whose stead we preside ...Read More
Gregory the Great, Pope [540-604 AD] Book IV, Letter 38 ...of doubt with respect to the Church of the blessed Peter, Prince of the apostles...Read More
Gregory the Great, Pope [540-604 AD] Book VII, Letter 40 ... the chair of Saint Peter, Prince of the apostles...Read More
Councils [600 AD] Nicaea II (787) [ECUMENICAL]
...from the Pope of Rome... And, as Peter the Chief of the Apostolic College...Read More
3 lines and some links might be your friend
3 lines and some links might be your friend
His Divine Mercy is great for all no matter what on earth. I believe the Catholic Church is the main branch of Christianity. I will also sum the bible verses with the Early Church Fathers who some were taught by the apostles then taught by the next generational line from the same apostles.
St Augustine on Supreme Bishop or Pope. Letter 53 (A.D. 400)
For if the lineal succession of bishops is to be taken into account, with how much more certainty and benefit to the Church do we reckon back till we reach Peter himself, to whom, as bearing in a figure the whole Church, the Lord said: "Upon this rock will I build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!"
The successor of Peter was Linus, and his successors in unbroken continuity were these: -- Clement, Anacletus, Evaristus, Alexander, Sixtus, Telesphorus, Iginus, Anicetus, Pius, Soter, Eleutherius, Victor, Zephirinus, Calixtus, Urbanus, Pontianus, Antherus, Fabianus, Cornelius, Lucius, Stephanus, Xystus, Dionysius, Felix, Eutychianus, Gaius, Marcellinus, Marcellus, Eusebius, Miltiades, Sylvester, Marcus, Julius, Liberius, Damasus, and Siricius, whose successor is the present Bishop Anastasius..
This is an amazing document.
I find it amazing that we can trace back every president in the United States History since the beginning of our country within 300 years but St Augustine cannot keep the record too for Supreme Bishop(Pope).
St Augustine on Supreme Bishop or Pope. Letter 53 (A.D. 400)
For if the lineal succession of bishops is to be taken into account, with how much more certainty and benefit to the Church do we reckon back till we reach Peter himself, to whom, as bearing in a figure the whole Church, the Lord said: "Upon this rock will I build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!"
The successor of Peter was Linus, and his successors in unbroken continuity were these: -- Clement, Anacletus, Evaristus, Alexander, Sixtus, Telesphorus, Iginus, Anicetus, Pius, Soter, Eleutherius, Victor, Zephirinus, Calixtus, Urbanus, Pontianus, Antherus, Fabianus, Cornelius, Lucius, Stephanus, Xystus, Dionysius, Felix, Eutychianus, Gaius, Marcellinus, Marcellus, Eusebius, Miltiades, Sylvester, Marcus, Julius, Liberius, Damasus, and Siricius, whose successor is the present Bishop Anastasius..
This is an amazing document.
Funny you should say that. Unitarians and Jews say that 423 (it was actually 431, BTW) was only about 100 years after they declared her son to be "God incarnate, of one substance with the Father" to placate the local pagans at Nicaea.
No difference between your myth and theirs, really. People who deny that Mary is the Mother of God deny the hypostatic union, and if they do that, they deny either the humanity or the divinity of Jesus. Always. Without exception.
I'd rather be a Christian, thank you just the same.
Well said.
Here, let me help you a bit. You're a Roman Catholic, but not necessarily a Christian. Don't confuse the two. There are some RC's who are also Christians despite what their pagan system teaches, but anyone who believes that Mary is the Mother of Yahweh is no Christian.
Yahweh, aka God the Father, is not the same as Jesus, aka God the Son. They, along with the Holy Spirit, make up the Trinity but Mary is NOT the mother of the Trinity. She carried and gave birth to Jesus, but she did not create Him, which is what the title "Mother of God" implies.
I would highly suggest that those of you caught in this idolatry repent and ask Jesus to forgive you for inferring that He was lying when He said "Before Abraham was, I am."
Jhn 8:56-59 KJV - [56] Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw [it], and was glad. [57] Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? [58] Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. [59] Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
Hard to be the Mother of someone who's older than you.
Since Vatican II, popes have frequently indulged in "vague, fluffy theology that is carefully designed to not offend anyone" and Benedict XVI is no exception. However, these "fluffy" statements were never definitive (from the chair of Peter) and do not represent the teaching of the Church. This is the definitive teaching of the Catholic Church concerning the inspiration of scripture:
Condemned as false: Divine inspiration does not extend to all of Sacred Scriptures so that it renders its parts, each and every one, free from every error. http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Pius10/p10lamen.htm
No Catholic believes that Mary is the mother of God the Father, but every Catholic and every real Christian believes that Mary is the mother of God the Son. "The Word was made flesh." At this point, the Word (second person of the Trinity) acquired a human mother.
The God-Man Jesus is inseparable from God the Son. To believe otherwise is condemned heresy.
This isn't about denying the deity of Christ or separating God the Son from His humanity. As you said, no true Christian denies that point. This is about separating Mary from the Catholic claim of deity parentage. She was the Mother of Christ in that she bore Him physically, but she is not and cannot be the Mother, or Genesis, of God due to Christ's own claim that "before Abraham was, I am."
She cannot be the origin of a being which predates her. She can carry Him to term, but His origin was with the Father.
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