Ante-Nicene Volume 4

Tertullian, A.D. 145 - 220

In opposition to this (modesty), could I not have acted the dissembler? I hear that there has even been an edict set forth, and a peremptory one too. The Pontifex Maximus—that is, the bishop of bishops—issues an edict: "I remit, to such as have discharged (the requirements of) repentance, the sins both of adultery and of fornication." O edict, on which cannot be inscribed, "Good deed!" And where shall this liberality be posted up? On the very spot, I suppose, on the very gates of the sensual appetites, beneath the very titles of the sensual appetites {note: i.e. at the door of the house of prostitution}. There is the place for promulgating such repentance, where the delinquency itself shall haunt. There is the place to read the pardon, where entrance shall be made under the hope thereof. But it is in the church that this (edict) is read, and in the church that it is pronounced; and (the church) is a virgin! Far, far from Christ's betrothed be such a proclamation!...
Tertullian, On Modesty, Chapter I
{This is cutting irony here by Tertullian. Pontifex Maximus, the title of the pagan high priest, is being applied to the bishop of Rome, and, bishop of bishops, a ridicule of their ambitious claims. It is clear that Tertullian does not acknowledge any primacy or preeminence of honor or jurisdiction for the Roman bishop.}

If, because the Lord has said to Peter, "Upon this rock will I build My Church", "to thee have I given the keys of the heavenly kingdom; " or, "Whatsoever thou shall have bound or loosed in earth, shall be bound or loosed in the heavens," you therefore presume that the power of binding and loosing has derived to you, that is, to every Church akin to Peter, what sort of man are you, subverting and wholly changing the manifest intention of the Lord, conferring (as that intention did) this (gift) personally upon Peter? "On thee," He says, "will I build My Church;" and, "I will give to thee the keys," not to the Church; and, "Whatsoever thou shall have loosed or bound," not what they shall have loosed or bound. For so withal the result teaches. In (Peter) himself the Church was reared; that is, through (Peter) himself; (Peter) himself essayed the key ... .
Tertullian, On Modesty, Chapter XXI

Origen, A.D. 185 - 254

... And hence He Himself also declares: "Every one who hears my words, and doeth them, I will show to whom he is like: he is like a wise man who built his house upon a rock," ... .
Origen, de Principiis, Book III, Chapter I, § 6

... For I am of opinion that there is a certain limit to the powers of human nature, although there may be a Paul, of whom it is said, "He is a chosen vessel unto Me"; or a Peter, against whom the gates of hell do not prevail; or a Moses, the friend of God ... .
Origen, de Principiis, Book III, Chapter II, § 5

... Then, explaining the history relating to the manna, and that referring to the miraculous issue of the water from the rock, he continues as follows: "And they did all eat the same spiritual meat, and did all drink the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ."...
Origen Against Celsus, Book IV, Chapter XLIX

... He has a diviner appearance, which they behold, if there happens to be (among them) a Peter, who has received within himself the edifice of the Church based upon the Word, and who has gained such a habit (of goodness) that none of the gates of Hades will prevail against him ... .
Origen Against Celsus, Book VI, Chapter LXXVII

... Accordingly, Peter says, "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ"; and Paul also says, "Being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ our Lord being the chief cornerstone."...
Origen Against Celsus, Book VIII, Chapter XIX

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