anthony:
Epiphanius said it here:
To him then did the Father reveal His true Son; and the same (Peter) furthermore reveals the Holy Spirit. This was befitting in the First of the Apostles, that firm Rock upon which the Church of God is built, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The gates of hell are heretics and heresiarchs. For in every way was the faith confirmed in him who received the keys of heaven; who looses on earth and binds in heaven. For in him are found all subtle questions of faith. He was aided by the Father so as to be (or lay) the Foundation of the security (firmness) of the faith. He (Peter) heard from the same God, ‘feed my lambs’; to him He entrusted the flock; he leads the way admirably in the power of his own Master". (Epiphanius, T. ii. in Anchor).
Origen:
And Peter, on whom the Church of Christ is built, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail… Commentary on John, 5:3 (A.D. 232).
“…all the sects are truly ‘gates of hell,’ but ‘They will not prevail against the rock,’ that is, the truth.” - Epiphanius of Salamis, Against Pneumatomachi, 3, 74
also from Epiphanius …For we need to have an** understanding of the theory or intention in order to possess the ability to interpret the meaning of each suggestion **(quoted in Loci Theologici, p. 25) …Anthony he is speaking to you my freind.
Now to Origen:
BOOK XII
10. THE ANSWER OF PETER
…And if we too have said like Peter, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” not as if flesh and blood had revealed it unto us, but by light from the Father in heaven having shone in our heart, we become a Peter, and to us there might be said by the Word, “Thou art Peter,” etc. For a rock is every disciple of Christ of whom those drank who drank of the spiritual rock which followed them, and upon every such rock is built every word of the church…
Also…
11.THE PROMISE GIVEN TO PETER NOT RESTRICTED TO HIM, BUT APPLICABLE TO ALL DISCIPLES LIKE HIM.
But if you suppose that upon that one Peter only the whole church is built by God, what would you say about John the son of thunder or each one of the Apostles? Shall we otherwise dare to say, that against Peter in particular the gates of Hades shall not prevail, but that they shall prevail against the other Apostles and the perfect? Does not the saying previously made, “The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it,” hold in regard to all and in the case of each of them? And also the saying, “Upon this rock I will build My church”? Are the keys of the kingdom of heaven given by the Lord to Peter only, and will no other of the blessed receive them?..
Also read this one if you care to gain some knowledge:
12. EVERY SIN–EVERY FALSE DOCTRINE IS A
“GATE OF HADES.”
Ignatius (c.135, E),1.33.
I do not as Peter adn PAUL Issue COMMANDMENTS to you.
As early as the 100s there is a clear sign of the equality of both Peter and PAUL.
Polycarp (c. 135, E), 1.33.
For neither I, nor any other such one, can come up to the wisdom of the blessed and glorified Paul.
Irenaeus(c. 180,E/W), 1.414.
…While Peter and PAUL were preaching at Rome, and
LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHURCH…
Clement of Alexandria (c. 195, E), 2.555.
…The Teaching of the
APOSTLES, encompassing the ministry of Paul…
Tertullian(c. 197, W), 3.254.
…They accordingly even gave him (Paul) " the right hand of fellowship" as a sign of their agreement with him, and
they arranged among themselves a distribution of office_not a diversity of Gospel…It is a happy fact that Peter is on the same level with Paul…
ORIGEN(c. 248, E), 4.425.
…PAUL WAS, AFTER JESUS, THE FOUNDER OF THE CHURCHES THAT ARE IN CHRIST….
CYPRIAN (c. 250, W), 5.283.
Let them also follow the example of the APOSTLE PAUL … He did not proudly arrogate anything to himself.
Disputation of Archelaus and Manes (c. 320, E), 6.229; see also 3.646.
That best master-builder of christ, Paul himself, has laid our foundation, that is, the foundation of the Church. and he was put in trust of the law, ordaining Deacons, Presbyters, and Bishops.
Anthony, the night is too short to sit down and type for you the numerous quotes of teh fathers and historians of the Church, but that is only the icing on the cake.
for every quote you put down I can put at least three to counter it and you will run out after quoting seventeen fathers. but I can go on all night long.