Jesus has greatest authority and Firmilian, Cyprian, Leo, Eusebius, Augustine, and AcesSilver all appeal to it. But out of this grouping, who has greater credibility?
AcesSilver appealing to Bible (2024AD)
VS.
Stephen [I] . . . boasts of the place of his episcopate, and contends that he holds the succession from Peter, on whom the foundations of the Church were laid [Mt 16:18]. . . . [Pope] Stephen . . . announces that he holds by succession the throne of Peter [Firmilian of Caesarea quoted in St. Cyprian’s Letters 74:17 (c. A.D. 255)].
If anyone considers and examines these things, there is no need for a long discussion and arguments. There is easy proof of faith in a short summary of the truth. 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. And to you I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven . . .” [Mt 16:18–19]. - Cyprian of Carthage, 251AD
Paul testifies that Crescens was sent to Gaul [2 Tm 4:10], but Linus, whom he mentions in the Second Letter to Timothy [2 Tm 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] [ibid., 3:4:9–10]. - Eusebius of Caesarea, Church History, 312AD
[T]here are many other things that most justly keep me in her bosom. The consent of peoples and nations keeps me in the Church; so does her authority, inaugurated by miracles, nourished by hope, enlarged by love, established by age. The succession of priests keeps me, beginning from the very seat of the apostle Peter, to whom the Lord, after his Resurrection, put in charge of feeding his sheep, down to the present episcopate [of Pope Siricius] [Augustine - Against the Letter of Mani Called “ The Foundation” 4:5 (A.D. 397)].
Jesus has greatest authority and Firmilian, Cyprian, Leo, Eusebius, Augustine, and AcesSilver all appeal to it. But out of this grouping, who has greater credibility?
AcesSilver appealing to Bible (2024AD)
VS.
Stephen [I] . . . boasts of the place of his episcopate, and contends that he holds the succession from Peter, on whom the foundations of the Church were laid [Mt 16:18]. . . . [Pope] Stephen . . . announces that he holds by succession the throne of Peter [Firmilian of Caesarea quoted in St. Cyprian’s Letters 74:17 (c. A.D. 255)].
If anyone considers and examines these things, there is no need for a long discussion and arguments. There is easy proof of faith in a short summary of the truth. 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. And to you I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven . . .” [Mt 16:18–19]. - Cyprian of Carthage, 251AD
Paul testifies that Crescens was sent to Gaul [2 Tm 4:10], but Linus, whom he mentions in the Second Letter to Timothy [2 Tm 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] [ibid., 3:4:9–10]. - Eusebius of Caesarea, Church History, 312AD
[T]here are many other things that most justly keep me in her bosom. The consent of peoples and nations keeps me in the Church; so does her authority, inaugurated by miracles, nourished by hope, enlarged by love, established by age. The succession of priests keeps me, beginning from the very seat of the apostle Peter, to whom the Lord, after his Resurrection, put in charge of feeding his sheep, down to the present episcopate [of Pope Siricius] [Augustine - Against the Letter of Mani Called “ The Foundation” 4:5 (A.D. 397)].