Faith, then, is the foundation of the Church, for it was not said of Peter’s flesh, but of his faith, that ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ But his confession of faith conquered hell. And this confession did not shut out one heresy, for, since the Church like a good ship is often buffeted by many waves, the foundation of the Church should prevail against all heresies (The Fathers of the Church (Washington D.C., Catholic University, 1963), Saint Ambrose, Theological and Dogmatic Works, The Sacrament of the Incarnation of Our Lord IV.32-V.34, pp. 230-231).
Thence the ordination of Bishops, and the ordering of the Church, runs down along the course of time and line of succession, so that the Church is settled upon her Bishops; and every act of the Church is regulated by these same Prelates (A Library of the Fathers of the Holy Catholic Church (Oxford: Parker, 1844), The Epistles of S. Cyprian, Ep. 33.1).
[Peter] is not the only one among the disciples who is worthy of pasturing the Lord’s sheep. If Christ speaks only to one, it is to emphasize unity. Indeed, so that you may know that it is the Church who has received the keys to the kingdom of heaven, listen to what the Lord has said elsewhere to all the apostles: ’ Receive the Holy Spirit.’ And later, ‘Anyone whose sins you have forgiven, they are forgiven: anyone whose sins you retain, they are retained’ (Jn 20:22-23).
Augustine, Sermo 295, 2-8.
Remember that the Lord left the keys to Peter, and through him to the Church, keys which each one carries with him if, when asked, he confesses the faith.
Tertullian, Scorpiace, 10, PL 2, 14
I have already delineated somewhat the reasons that I have stated for disagreeing with you in a earlier post, however, let me expand further my objections to your argument. First, when I posited my question about referencing the church fathers with scripture it was to your claim that all the apostles possessed the keys, now I see you have added other objections and arguments against us, namely that the foundation of the Church is referring to St. Peter’s confession of faith only.
Now Tertullian rightly concludes that it is to St. Peter that the Lord gave the keys (just like the King of Israel to the prime minister in the O.T.) but understand the importance of the words “THROUGH HIM to the Church” thus signifying that the power of the keys are directly linked to St. Peter and his successors to the rest of the Church. As such those who are still linked to that Church wherein St. Peter’s successors can be found are still in possession of the keys (you can guess which Church I speak of). Furthermore you failed to tie in your two quotes referencing the keys with scripture to solidify the truth of your claims but I have.
My next point is that the foundation of the Church is not only referencing St. Peter’s confession of faith (and thus the promise that the gates of Hell shall not prevail) but Peter who is rock because Jesus himself deemed it so (why else change his name if not to signify a mission/role which was unique to Peter). Here are several church fathers who attest that St. Peter aka “the rock” is the foundation of the Church:
“Seest thou that of the disciples of Christ, all of whom were exalted and deserving of choice, one is called rock, and is entrusted with the foundations of the church.”
Gregory of Nazianzen,Oration 32:18(A.D. 380),in SPP,56
“The memory of Peter, who is the head of the apostles…he is the firm and most solid rock, on which the savior built his Church.”
Gregory of Nyssa,Panegyric on St. Stephen,3(ante A.D. 394),in SPP,56
“**lessed Simon, who after his confession of the mystery was set to be the foundation-stone of the Church, and received the keys of the kingdom…”
Hilary de Poiters,On the Trinity,6:20(A.D. 359),in NPNF2,IX:105
“By this Spirit Peter spake that blessed word, ‘Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ By this Spirit the rock of the Church was stablished.”
Hippolytus,Discourse on the Holy Theophany,9(ante A.D. 235),ANF,V:237
“The decrees of the Roman Pontiff, standing upon the supremacy of the Apostolic See, are unquestionable.”
Isidore of Seville,(ante A.D. 636),in PL:84
“(Peter)The first of the Apostles, the foundation of the Church, the coryphaeus of the choir of disciples.”
Chrysostom John,Ad eos qui scandalizati 17(ante A.D. 407),in SEP,74
“Peter, that head of the Apostles, the first in the Church, the friend of Christ, who recieved revelation not from man but from the Father…this Peter, and when I say Peter, I mean that unbroken Rock, the unshaken foundation, the great Apostle, the first of the disciples, the first called, the first to obey”
Chrysostom John, De Eleemosyna,3:4(ante A.D. 407),in SEP,74
"And Peter,on whom the Church of Christ is built, ‘against which the gates of hell shall not prevail’ "
Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History,6:25 (A.D. 325),in NPNF2,I:273
“Wherefore the most holy and blessed Leo, archbishop of the great and elder Rome, through us, and through this present most holy synod together with the thrice blessed and all-glorious Peter the Apostle, who is the rock and foundation of the Catholic Church, and the foundation of the orthodox faith…”
Council of Chalcedon,Session III (A.D. 451),in NPNF2,XIV:259-260
“Number the priests even from that seat of Peter. And in that order of fathers see to whom succeeded: that is the rock which the proud gates of hades do not conquer.”
Augustine,Psalmus contr Partem Donati(A.D. 393),in GILES,182
“Peter upon which rock the Lord promised that he would build his church.”
Basil,In Isaias,2:66(A.D. 375),in SPP,55
to be continued. . . .**
