Early Christian Views of Peter

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Direct teaching

Thus Peter, the first of the apostles, having been often apprehended, and thrown into prison, and treated with igominy, was last of all crucified at Rome.

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Direct teaching

The Apostle Peter, however, the most eminent of all the disciples, was able to acknowledge Him on that occasion, when all were putting forth the several opinions which they entertained respecting Him: for he said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God;

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Supporting witness

1. The Apostle Peter, therefore, after the resurrection of the Lord, and His assumption into the heavens, being desirous of filling up the number of the twelve apostles, and in electing into the place of Judas any substitute who should be chosen by God, thus addressed those who were present: “Men [and] brethren, this Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of David, spake before concerning Judas, which was made guide to them that took Jesus.

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Background

For [Christ] called one of His disciples— previously known by the name of Simon—Peter;

Dionysius of Alexandria, Miscellaneous Fragments Supporting witness

1 John 1:1 And on the ground of such a revelation as that the Lord pronounced Peter blessed, when He said: Blessed are you, Simon Bar-jona;

Matthew 10:2 Background

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

Luke 6:14 Background

Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew,

Mark 3:16 Background

Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter;

John 1:42 Background

And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

...and arguments. There is an easy proof for faith in a short summary of the truth. The Lord speaks to Peter, saying, "I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall also be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." And again He says to the same one after His resurrection, "Feed my sheep." And although after His resurrection He gives an equal power to all the apostles, and says, "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit. Whoever's sins you remit, they shall be remitted to him, and whoever's sins you retain, they shall be retained," John 20:21 yet, so that He might set forth unity, by His authority He arranged the origin of that unity as beginning from one. Certainly the rest of the apostles also were the same as Peter, endowed with an equal share of honor and power; but the beginning proceeds from unity. The Holy Spirit also pointed out this one Church in the Song of Songs, speaking in the person of our Lord, and says, "My dove, my spotless one, i

Origen, Commentary on Matthew Direct teaching

And after this, let us see in what sense it is said to Peter, and to every Peter, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 16:19). First, I think that the saying, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven," is spoken in a way consistent with the words, "The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). For he is worthy to receive from the same Word the keys of the kingdom of heaven, who is strengthened against the gates of Hades so that they do not prevail against him. He receives, as it were, as a prize, the keys of the kingdom of heaven, because the gates of Hades had no power against him, so that he might open for himself the gates that were closed to those who had been conquered by the gates of Hades. And he enters, as a temperate man, through an opened gate, the gate of temperance, by the key that opens temperance. And as a righteous man, he enters by another gate, the gate of righteousness, which is opened by the key of righteousness. And so it is with the rest of the virtues. For I think that for every virtue of knowledge, certain mysteries of wisdom are opened up to him who has lived according to virtue, corresponding to the kind

Tertullian, Scorpiace Direct teaching

For though you think heaven still shut, remember that the Lord left here to Peter and through him to the Church, the keys of it, which every one who has been here put to the question, and also made confession, will carry with him.

Tertullian, On Prescription Against Heretics Direct teaching

Was anything withheld from the knowledge of Peter, who is called the rock on which the church should be built, who also obtained the keys of the kingdom of heaven, with the power of loosing and binding in heaven and on earth?

Origen, Commentary on Matthew Direct teaching

And after this let us see in what sense it is said to Peter, and to every Peter, I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

Origen, Commentary on Matthew Supporting witness

Matthew 16:18 Are the keys of the kingdom of heaven given by the Lord to Peter only, and will no other of the blessed receive them?

Tertullian, On Modesty Direct teaching

If, because the Lord has said to Peter, Upon this rock will I build My Church, to you have I given the keys of the heavenly kingdom;

Matthew 16:19 Background

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 16:17 Background

Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching

...d others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But you, what do you say that I am?" Simon Cephas answered and said, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Cephas, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. To you I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Then he strictly commanded his disciples and warned them not to tell anyone about him, that he was the Messiah. From now on Jesus began to show his disciples that he was determined to go to Jerusalem and suffer much, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and on the third day rise. And he was speaking plainly. Then Simon Cephas, grieving for him, said, "May that be far from you, my Lord." But he turned and looked at his disciples, and rebuked Simon, and said, "Get behind me, Satan. You are a stumbling bloc

Tatian, The Diatessaron Background

Matthew 16:19 To you will I give the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;

Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching

John 21:15 After they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Cephas, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, my Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs for me." John 21:16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, my Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my sheep for me." John 21:17 He said to him a third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?" And Cephas was grieved that he said to him three times, "Do you love me?" He said to him, "My Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep for me." John 21:18 "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were a child, you girded your waist for yourself and went where you wanted. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird your waist and take you where you do not want to go." John 21:19 He said this to explain by what death he was to glorify God. And when he had said that, he said to him, "Come after me." John 21:20 And Simon Cephas turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following him. He was the one who at the supper leaned on

Mark 16:7 Background

But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

John 18:15 Background

Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest,

Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Direct teaching

...t baptism of water to men who believe, as it is written in Acts of the Apostles in this way: “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles. For they heard them speak in tongues, and they magnified God. Then Peter answered, ‘Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?’ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” Acts 10:44-48 Peter also later taught us very fully about these same Gentiles, saying: “And He made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” Acts 15:9 And so there will be no doubt that men may be baptized with the Holy Spirit without water, since you see that these were baptized before they were baptized with water. In this way, the declarations of both John and of our Lord Himself were fulfilled, since they received the grace of the promise both without the laying on of the apostle’s hands and without the laver, which they received afterward. And

Pamphilus, Exposition on the Acts of the Apostles Direct teaching

R. The slaying of the Apostle James. *Also the apprehension of Peter by Herod, and the account of the manner in which the angel by divine command delivered him from his bonds, and how Peter, after showing himself to the disciples by night, quietly withdrew.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Direct teaching

...n angel of God, who told him, "Your alms have come up as a memorial before God. Therefore, send for Simon, who is called Peter." When Peter saw the vision, where a voice from heaven said to him, "What God has cleansed, do not call common," it served to teach him that the same God who, through the law, distinguished between clean and unclean, had purified the Gentiles through the blood of His Son—He whom Cornelius also worshipped. Peter, upon arriving, said, "I truly understand that God shows no favoritism: but in every nation, the one who fears Him and works righteousness is acceptable to Him." He clearly indicated that the God whom Cornelius had previously feared and heard of through the law and the prophets, and for whom he gave alms, is indeed God. However, Cornelius lacked knowledge of the Son, so Peter added, "You know the message that was spread throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism John preached—Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power; who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him. We are witnesses of everything He did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem; wh

Didache, Connection to Acts 15:7 Direct teaching

And when some said one thing, and some another, I Peter stood up, and said unto them: "Men and brethren, ye know how that from ancient days God made choice among you that the Gentiles should hear the word of the Gospel by my mouth, and believe;

Acts 15:7 Background

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

Acts 2:14 Background

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.

Acts 12:6 Background

And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

Acts 12:7 Background

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.

Acts 12:16 Background

But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

Acts 12:17 Background

But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

Acts 12:10 Background

When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...ught to keep, describes the honor of a bishop and the order of His Church in the Gospel. He says to Peter: “I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to 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.” From there, through the changes of times and successions, the ordering of bishops and the arrangement of the Church continues on. So the Church is founded upon the bishops, and every act of the Church is directed by these same rulers. Since this is founded on divine law, I am amazed that some, with reckless boldness, have chosen to write to me as if they were writing in the name of the Church, when the Church is established in the bishop and the clergy, and in all who stand firm in the faith. Far be it from the mercy of God and His unlimited power to allow the number of the lapsed to be called the Church, since it is written, “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living,” Matthew 22:32. For we do indeed desire that all may be made alive, and we pray that by our prayers an

Tertullian, On Modesty Supporting witness

If, because the Lord said to Peter, "Upon this rock I will build My Church," and, "To you have I given the keys of the heavenly kingdom," or, "Whatever you shall have bound or loosed on earth shall be bound or loosed in the heavens," you therefore presume that the power of binding and loosing has come down to you, that is, to every church akin to Peter, what sort of man are you, subverting and wholly changing the manifest intention of the Lord, conferring this gift, as that intention did, personally upon Peter? He says, "On you I will build My Church," and, "I will give to you the keys," not to the Church; and, "Whatever you shall have loosed or bound," not what they shall have loosed or bound. For the result also teaches this. In Peter himself the Church was reared, that is, through Peter himself. Peter himself first used the key. You see what key: "Men of Israel, let what I say sink into your ears: Jesus the Nazarene, a man destined by God for you," and so forth. Therefore Peter himself was the first to unbar, in Christ's baptism, the entrance to the heavenly kingdom. In that kingdom, the sins that were previously bound are loosed, and those that have not been loosed are bound, i

Origen, Commentary on Matthew Direct teaching

But if you suppose that the whole church is built by God on that one Peter only, what would you say about John, the son of thunder, or about each one of the Apostles? Shall we dare to say otherwise, that the gates of Hades will not prevail against Peter in particular, but that they will prevail against the other Apostles and the perfect? Does not the saying spoken before, "The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it," Matthew 16:18, hold true for all and for each one of them? And also the saying, "Upon this rock I will build My church," Matthew 16:18? Are the keys of the kingdom of heaven given by the Lord to Peter only, and will no other of the blessed receive them? But if this promise, "I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven," Matthew 16:19, is common to the others, how will not all the things spoken before, and the things added afterward as addressed to Peter, be common to them? For in this place these words seem to be addressed to Peter only: "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven," Matthew 16:19, and so on. But in the Gospel of John, the Savior, after giving the Holy Spirit to the disciples by breathing on them, said, "Receive the Holy Spirit,"

Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness

... this invocation of the name of Jesus, together with the correction of error, the acknowledgment of belief in the truth, and the putting away of every stain from one's former way of life, if it is rightly carried out with the mystery of God among such men, gains a place that it would not otherwise have had. And finally, in the true faith and for preserving the integrity of the sign, it is no hindrance when the supplement that had been lacking is added. This agrees with good reason, and with the authority of so many years, and of so many churches and apostles and bishops. Just as, on the other hand, it is the very greatest disadvantage and damage to our most holy mother Church if now, for the first time, she should suddenly and without reason rebel against earlier decisions after so long a succession of so many ages. For Peter had already been baptized, and the Lord Himself had asked him what he thought of the Lord. Peter, after the truth of the revelation of the Father in heaven had been given to him, had confessed that Christ was not only our Lord, but also the Son of the living God. Yet afterward Peter is shown to have opposed that same Christ when He announced His passion, an

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

Even as also the Apostle Peter laid down, saying, Thus also shall baptism in like manner make you safe;

Origen, Commentary on Matthew Direct teaching

...ed by those in heaven to have been set free. It seems that the things which were earlier granted to Peter alone are here given to all who give the three warnings to all who have sinned. So if they are not heard, they will bind on earth the person who is judged to be like a Gentile and a tax collector, just as such a person has been bound in heaven. But since it was necessary that Peter should have something superior to those who had given three warnings to the brothers, even if something common was said in the case of Peter and of those who had warned the brothers three times, in Peter’s case this saying was specially placed before the words, “And whatever things you bind on earth,” and so on: “I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” Matthew 16:19. And indeed, if we pay careful attention to the Gospel writings, we will find here also, in relation to the things that seem to be common to Peter and to those who have warned the brothers three times, a great difference and a superiority in what was said to Peter, compared with the second group. For it is no small difference that Peter received the keys not of one heaven but of more than one, so that whatever things he

Origen, Commentary on Matthew Supporting witness

But if this promise, I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, Matthew 16:19 be common to the others, how shall not all the things previously spoken of, and the things which are subjoined as having been addressed to Peter, be common to them?

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

Accordingly, when Peter, who had been an eye-witness of the miracle, and had compared it with the ancient precedents, and had discovered in them prophetic intimations of what should one day come to pass, answered (as the mouthpiece of them all) the Lord's inquiry, Whom do you say that I am?

1 Corinthians 15:5 Background

and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.