Apostolic Tradition: The Office Peter Occupied

[chet]

The Primacy of the Successors of Peter is a key element of Apostolic Tradition. St. Ireneaus states that the Apostles entrusted the Episcopal office to Linus. They started the tradition of appointing a replacement for “the Pope” after Peter was martyred for the faith. This is of major importance because it re-lays the corner stone and Authority on which Jesus built his Church. This enables the Office and Authority of “the Chair of Peter” to be past on, because the Apostles bound it on Earth. The Bible states that, “The Church is the Pillar and Foundation of Truth.” Thus the Church founded by Christ, [built upon the 12 Apostles with Peter as it’s head; having clearly established succession; which is also clearly be shown to be unbroken.] makes a declaration that a particular teaching on faith and morals is bound on Earth; Then according to Jesus own words it is likewise bound in Heaven. If it is bound in Heaven then it has to be true. For it is impossible that something is false could be held as truth in Heaven by God! Since it has to be true, Then the Holy Spirit has done his job in leading the Church into all Truth. Thus When the Successor of Peter declares a teaching on truth and morals to be “Bound on Earth”, By Jesus Authority it must be “Bound in Heaven” Meaning it must be True! THANK YOU JESUS! THANK YOU HOLY SPIRIT! This Tradition is further backed up in the Acts of the Apostles when the remaining 11 select a replacement to fill “the office” Judas occupied. It was also important to them to pick a disciple who had been following Jesus from the beginning [one who had seen it all].

“Having founded and built the Church, the blessed apostles entrusted the episcopal office to Linus, who is mentioned by Paul in the Epistles to Timothy; Linus was succeeded by Anacletus; after him, in the third place from the apostles, the bishopric fell to Clement, who had seen the blessed apostles and conversed with them, and still had their preaching ringing in his ears and their authentic tradition before his eyes. And he was not the only one; there were still many people alive who had been taught by the apostles. . . . In the same order and the same succession the authentic tradition received from the apostles and passed down by the Church, and the preaching of the truth, have been handed on to us. “The Church, having received this preaching and this faith, although scattered throughout the whole world, yet, as if occupying but one house, carefully preserves it. She also believes these points of doctrine just as if she had but one soul, and one and the same heart, and she proclaims them, and teaches them, and hands them down, with perfect harmony, as if she possessed only one mouth. For, although the languages of the world are dissimilar, yet the import of the tradition is one and the same. For the churches in Germany do not believe or hand down anything different, not do those in Spain, not those in Gaul, not those in the East, nor those in Egypt, nor those in Libya, nor those which have been established in the central regions [Palestine] of the world.” “When therefore, we have such proofs, it is not necessary to seek among others the truth which is easily obtained from the Church. For the apostles, like a rich man in a bank, deposited with her [the Church] most copiously everything which pertains to the truth; and everyone whosoever wishes draws from her the drink of life. Let us suppose that the apostles had left us no written records. Would we not have been able to follow the precepts of the tradition that they handed down to those to whom they entrusted the Churches? It is this precept of tradition that is followed by many barbarian nations that believe in Christ who know nothing of the use of writing, or ink.” St. Ireneaus (c. 130-200) Against Heresies

Remember that the Apostles viewed their positions in the Church as an “Office” as demonstrated in the Acts of the Apostles when they replace Judas. Since Christ placed a special primacy on Peter; It would be reasonable to expect that the “Office of Peter” would come with a special Authority, and distinct gifts from the Holy Spirit.****

 

[TOME]

Chet,
As the Church’ s understanding of herself deepens in every age I think we should consider the role of Peter and thus the popes more from the understanding that the “Office Peter Occupied” is best understood in the light of ministry - the ministry od service to the Church.

“Office” is correct however “Ministry” reflects the fullness of its nature.

 

[chet]

Chet,
As the Church’ s understanding of herself deepens in every age I think we should consider the role of Peter and thus the popes more from the understanding that the “Office Peter Occupied” is best understood in the light of ministry - the ministry od service to the Church.

“Office” is correct however “Ministry” reflects the fullness of its nature.

I understand your point, and it is well taken.In fact I personally favor his title, “The servant of the servants of God.” The goal of my post is to draw attention that the Apostles referred to the position of each Apostle in the Church as an “Office”. A member of the Earthly governing body of the Church with the primacy belonging to the one who occupies the “Chair of Peter” or as we call him today the Pope! [Which actually means Papa.] As such the “Office” can be transfered on to another; And every thing that goes along with the “Office” The Authority as well as special charisms or gifts from the Holy Spirit. This post is intended to give my best and most logical explanation of the Papacy for anyone who does not either understand or accept it. If you know anyone who fits the bill maybe you would like to refer them to this thread.If you have any other info you feel may bolster my assertion feel free to add it! Thanks,Chet.

 

[chet]

If you were a Sola Scriptura Christian living in the period between 140 A.D.-200 A.D. and even as late as around the 400’s, You might very well have had to say that the scripture clearly show that there are 2 distinct Gods; because the only New testament scriptures you may have had to rely upon was the New testament produced by Marcion a business man ; and not a member of the hierarchy of the Church.( It was the 1st New Testament produced! )

On the other hand the list of books that you call the New Testament was first compiled in 367 A.D.

; And was 1st approved for use throughout most of the Church in A.D.397 where The Council of Carthage, which refined the canon for the Western Church, sent it back to Pope Innocent for ratification. However In the East, the canonical process (The process of discerning which books belong in the Bible) was hampered by a number of schisms.

Here is a problem for those who don’t want ‘to listen to the opinions of fallible men.’ Every time they quote a scripture passage they are staking their salvation on the infallibility of the Catholic Church to have put the right books in the Bible. The infallible canon of Scripture on which they rely.