Fast Fact  - Primacy of Peter

 

Defense of the Primacy of Peter.

 

     

    The following are the most common proof texts for Petrine Primacy and its background.

    (The hyperlinks will open an online NASB to the chapter referenced)

  • Scripture

    • Major Texts

    Minor Texts

    Matthew 17:24-27 - Jesus pays the temple tax for himself and Peter.

    Matthew 19:27; Mark 10:28, 11:21 - Peter speaks on behalf of the Apostles.

    Mark 16:7 - Peter singled out by the angel to inform him of Christ's resurrection.

    Luke 5:3-10 - Jesus teaches from Peter's boat and makes the Apostles "fishers of men."

    John 21:1ff - Jesus causes the Petrine led fishing expedition to caught 153 fish.

    Acts 1:15-21 - Peter initiates the election of Judas's successor.

    Acts 2:38 - Peter preaches is the first to proclaim the Gospel.

    Acts 3:6-7 - Peter proforms the first healing.

    Acts 10:5 - God announces to Peter the end of diatary laws.

    Acts 15:7-12 - Peter's declaration is given at the Jerusalem Council.

     

  • History / Tradition

"Through envy and jeolously, the greatest and most righteous pillars have been persecuted and put to death. Let us set before our eyes the most illustrious apostles. Peter, through unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labours and when he had at length suffered martrydom, departed to the place of glory due to him." (Clement of Rome, Letter to Corinth, 5, c. AD 80 - 96).

"This man [Simon Magus], after he had been cast out by the Apostles, came to Rome... Peter and Paul, a noble pair, chief rulers of the Church, arrived and set the error right... For Peter was there, who carrieth the keys of heaven..." (Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechical Lectures, 6, 14-15, c. AD 350).

"Peter, that chief of the apostles, first in the Church, the friend of christ who did not receive revelation from man but from the Father, as the Lord bore witness to him saying: 'Blessed are you....": this same Peter (when I say 'Peter," I name an unbreakable rock, an immovable ridge, a great apostles, the first of the disciples, the first called and the first obeying)...(Chrystostom, De Eleemos 3, 4)

"Peter, the coryphaeus (leader) of the choir of apostles, the mouth of the disciples, the foundation of the faith, the base of the confession, the fisherman of the world, who brought back our race from the depth of error to heaven, he who is everywhere fervent and full of boldness, or rather of love than boldness...." (Chrystostom, Hom. de decem mille talentis, 3).

  • Summary

    • Simon Peter, apostles and martyr, was chosen by Jesus to hold a primacy among the college of the apostles (CCC 552, 881, 862). .God has made Peter the linchpin of unity among the apostles in confirming the faith of his bretheren as a shepherd over Christ's flock (See Luke 23 and John 21). Christ also makes Peter the chief  steward or major domo or prime minister of His kingdom (See Matthew 16:19 and Isa. 22:22). This office holds a primacy over the other ministers of the kingdom, namely the apostles (cf. Matthew 16:18-19 and Matthew 18:18).  Peter's primacy is evidenced elsewhere in the New Testament. Whenever the Apostles are listed Peter is the first in the list even though the order of the listing differs from author to author. Peter is given special revelation and takes on the authority of a head of the Apostles. For example, He is the first to preach during the first Pentecost. Peter's decision at the council of Jerusalem settles the dispute over whether converts needed to first become Jews and follow the law of Moses. This leadership among the apostolic college is enjoyed by those who hold his apostolic office.

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