E
Eden
Guest
An important witness to the Catholicity of the 2nd and 3rd century Christians is Eusebius in his “Church History”. You said in an earlier post that you didn’t think Eusebius sounded Catholic. But then he verifies the apostolic succession of the Bishops of Rome in the “Church History”. I don’t see how he could be believed to have been anything else. He validates the fidelity to the Catholic Church of many of the early Church Fathers, too. So by going through that list, one can continue to add to the list of proven Catholics in the early centuries.
Before I give quotes from Eusebius, though, I wanted to state that there was no such thing as “other Christians” before the Great Schism (usually dated at 1054 A.D.) So, for the first 1,000 years you had the Christian Church which was the Catholic Church and then you had various heretical groups which were documented by the Church in such works as “Against Heresies” by St. Irenaeus.
Now, I am sure you will say, “Oh, but those were Christians and they were probably the real Christians and they were probably suppressed and their history erased by the Catholic Church in 313 A.D.” But using the testimony of the Early Church Fathers, it can be proven that the Church founded by Christ was, is, and always has been the Catholic Church. Anyone teaching in contradiction to that Church was teaching heresy. This is supported by the Bible which warns us not to believe false prophets who teach in opposition to the faith given to the Church.
Now to Eusebius:
“It is, therefore, recorded that Paul was beheaded in Rome itself, and that Peter likewise was crucified under Nero. This account of Peter and Paul is substantiated by the fact that their names are preserved in the cemeteries of that place even to the present day. It is confirmed likewise by Caius, a member of the Church, who arose under Zephyrinus, bishop of Rome. He, in a published disputation with Proclus, the leader of the Phrygian heresy, speaks as follows concerning the places where the sacred corpses of the aforesaid apostles are laid: 'But I can show the trophies of the apostles. For if you will go to the Vatican or to the Ostian way, you will find the trophies of those who laid the foundations of this church.’” Gaius, fragment in Eusebius’ Church History, 2:25 (A.D. 198).
Firstly, Eusebius establishes that the Church founded at Rome is *the *Church. He also confirms the existence of the “Bishop of Rome” (a title of all Popes). Perhaps most interesting of all is that he confirms that Peter’s remains were buried at the Vatican property/area. In fact, excavations of first century catacombs under the Vatican in the 20th century found the bones of what are believed to be St. Peter. If that is the case, which I believe it is, Jesus Christ’s promise is fulfilled in another most amazing way. The Church (the physical central church - the Vatican) is literally built on Peter.
More Eusebius:
“Hegesippus in the five books of Memoirs which have come down to us has left a most complete record of his own views. In them he states that on a journey to Rome he met a great many bishops, and that he received the same doctrine from all. It is fitting to hear what he says after making some remarks about the epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. His words are as follows: ‘And the church of Corinth continued in the true faith until Primus was bishop in Corinth. I conversed with them on my way to Rome, and abode with the Corinthians many days, during which we were mutually refreshed in the true doctrine. And when I had come to Rome I remained a there until Anicetus, whose deacon was Eleutherus. And Anicetus was succeeded by Soter, and he by Eleutherus. In every succession, and in every city that is held which is preached by the law and the prophets and the Lord.’” *Hegesippus, Memoirs, fragment in Eusebius Ecclesiatical History, 4:22 (A.D. 180). *
So, now we have confirmed that the foundations of *the *Church were laid at Rome and we have confirmed the names of some of those Bishops of Rome.
And then look at the opening of Eusebius’ Church History:
It is my purpose to write an account of the successions of the holy apostles, as well as of the times which have elapsed from the days of our Saviour to our own; and to relate the many important events which are said to have occurred in the history of the Church; and to mention those who have governed and presided over the Church in the most prominent parishes, and those who in each generation have proclaimed the divine word either orally or in writing. It is my purpose also to give the names and number and times of those who through love of innovation have run into the greatest errors, and, proclaiming themselves discoverers of knowledge falsely so-called [cf. 1 Timothy 6:20], have like fierce wolves unmercifully devastated the flock of Christ.
Before I give quotes from Eusebius, though, I wanted to state that there was no such thing as “other Christians” before the Great Schism (usually dated at 1054 A.D.) So, for the first 1,000 years you had the Christian Church which was the Catholic Church and then you had various heretical groups which were documented by the Church in such works as “Against Heresies” by St. Irenaeus.
Now, I am sure you will say, “Oh, but those were Christians and they were probably the real Christians and they were probably suppressed and their history erased by the Catholic Church in 313 A.D.” But using the testimony of the Early Church Fathers, it can be proven that the Church founded by Christ was, is, and always has been the Catholic Church. Anyone teaching in contradiction to that Church was teaching heresy. This is supported by the Bible which warns us not to believe false prophets who teach in opposition to the faith given to the Church.
Now to Eusebius:
“It is, therefore, recorded that Paul was beheaded in Rome itself, and that Peter likewise was crucified under Nero. This account of Peter and Paul is substantiated by the fact that their names are preserved in the cemeteries of that place even to the present day. It is confirmed likewise by Caius, a member of the Church, who arose under Zephyrinus, bishop of Rome. He, in a published disputation with Proclus, the leader of the Phrygian heresy, speaks as follows concerning the places where the sacred corpses of the aforesaid apostles are laid: 'But I can show the trophies of the apostles. For if you will go to the Vatican or to the Ostian way, you will find the trophies of those who laid the foundations of this church.’” Gaius, fragment in Eusebius’ Church History, 2:25 (A.D. 198).
Firstly, Eusebius establishes that the Church founded at Rome is *the *Church. He also confirms the existence of the “Bishop of Rome” (a title of all Popes). Perhaps most interesting of all is that he confirms that Peter’s remains were buried at the Vatican property/area. In fact, excavations of first century catacombs under the Vatican in the 20th century found the bones of what are believed to be St. Peter. If that is the case, which I believe it is, Jesus Christ’s promise is fulfilled in another most amazing way. The Church (the physical central church - the Vatican) is literally built on Peter.
More Eusebius:
“Hegesippus in the five books of Memoirs which have come down to us has left a most complete record of his own views. In them he states that on a journey to Rome he met a great many bishops, and that he received the same doctrine from all. It is fitting to hear what he says after making some remarks about the epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. His words are as follows: ‘And the church of Corinth continued in the true faith until Primus was bishop in Corinth. I conversed with them on my way to Rome, and abode with the Corinthians many days, during which we were mutually refreshed in the true doctrine. And when I had come to Rome I remained a there until Anicetus, whose deacon was Eleutherus. And Anicetus was succeeded by Soter, and he by Eleutherus. In every succession, and in every city that is held which is preached by the law and the prophets and the Lord.’” *Hegesippus, Memoirs, fragment in Eusebius Ecclesiatical History, 4:22 (A.D. 180). *
So, now we have confirmed that the foundations of *the *Church were laid at Rome and we have confirmed the names of some of those Bishops of Rome.
And then look at the opening of Eusebius’ Church History:
It is my purpose to write an account of the successions of the holy apostles, as well as of the times which have elapsed from the days of our Saviour to our own; and to relate the many important events which are said to have occurred in the history of the Church; and to mention those who have governed and presided over the Church in the most prominent parishes, and those who in each generation have proclaimed the divine word either orally or in writing. It is my purpose also to give the names and number and times of those who through love of innovation have run into the greatest errors, and, proclaiming themselves discoverers of knowledge falsely so-called [cf. 1 Timothy 6:20], have like fierce wolves unmercifully devastated the flock of Christ.