St. Linus, St. Anacletus, & the early Popes

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I am a convert to the Faith, my father is a non-denominational preacher and doesn’t believe St. Peter was the first Pope. The List of the Popes in the beginning of my Bible lists St. Linus as the second Pope and then St. Anacletus, Clement I, etc.

Is there irrefutable evidence that St. Linus was elected as the second Pope? Does the Church have any writings from St. Anacletus or any of the earliest Popes (other than St. Peter)? How do we defend the list of Popes who served up until the end of the 3rd century? How do we prove Roman Catholicism existed for the first 300 years?

God’s Blessings,

Cubby
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Hi Cubby, 🙂

I can appreciate how complex and daunting the Catholic faith can be at times, for those of us who were not raised as Catholics; however, thankfully, the Church has preserved many documents, including those of the Early Church Fathers.
I am no expert, but I confident, St. Irenaeus, who was a student of Polycarp, who in turn, was a disciple of the Apostle St. John; would possibly have a clue what he was writing about, when he wrote ‘Against Heresies’. This site should help you. newadvent.org/fathers/0103.htm
Scroll down to Book III, then find chapter three; point number 3, deals with your enquiry about Linus, but also deals with Apostolic Succession. To be honest; Cardinal Newman was right, when he said (paraphrased) To be deep in history, is to cease being protestant; as Irenaeus makes it abundently clear that whilst all the apostles had churches they established; all of them, had to answer to Rome, which means that Apostolic Succession (i.e. The Papacy), MUST come down through the Bishops of Rome, as Patriach / Head, of all the established Apostolic Churches.
I would pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance when talking to your father about this; asking also, for a possible conversion.
Here is a list of the Popes, also.
newadvent.org/cathen/12272b.htm
I’m sure there are many learned Catholics on this site who can help you more than I can, but I hope this has helped you in some small way.
You are in my prayers.

Peace be with you and those whom you love.🙂
 
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Cubby:
Is there irrefutable evidence that St. Linus was elected as the second Pope? Does the Church have any writings from St. Anacletus or any of the earliest Popes (other than St. Peter)? How do we defend the list of Popes who served up until the end of the 3rd century? How do we prove Roman Catholicism existed for the first 300 years?
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Go here to read the Epistles of Clement (the 4th Pope.)

earlychristianwritings.com/1clement.html

Note that Clement is writing to the Corinthians, who have expelled their Bishop and Priests, and he tells them to take them back – which they did.

Here is a Bishop of Rome acting as Pope at a time when an Apostle (John) was still alive and living just down the road from the Corinthians.
 
The first four popes: Peter, Linus, Anacletus, and Clement. We have some of Clement’s writings including his Letter to the Corinthians. Note that the Apostle John was still alive during the time of Clement.

The early church was actually quite careful about the lines of succession of the bishops, especially the line of succession of the bishop of Rome. The early Ecclesiastical History written by Eusebius also preserves some of the lists.

I would recommend the book “Four Witnesses–The Early Church in Her Own Words,” by Rod Bennett, which contains some of the writings of Clement, Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus of Lyon, which the author puts in a historical context.

The early church is no mystery, and it was certainly Catholic. These early writers constantly cautioned the faithful to follow only their bishops, presbyters, and deacons, who were the authorized successors to the apostles. The same “holy orders” which are in existence today.
 
PS–It’s also worth noting that the early popes were not necessarily elected. Peter’s successor might have been appointed by him. Christ left us the papacy, but not the precise means of selecting the Bishop of Rome, which has changed from time to time. If I remember correctly, it is said that both Linus and Anacletus were probably originally ordained by Peter by the laying on of hands.
 
This is great stuff and a good start. Thanks! BTW, why is Linus always displayed in red?
 
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