Ante-Nicene Volume 6

Gregory Thaumaturgus, A.D. 205 - 265

And again, speaking also of the children of Israel as baptized in the cloud and in the sea, he says: "And they all drank of the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ."...
Part II.-Dubious or Spurious Writings, A Sectional Confession of Faith, Chapter XXII

Dionysius of Alexandria, A.D. 200 - 265

... But of the missiles that were hurled against Him (Christ), some were shivered in pieces, and others were dashed back as with invulnerable arms of steel, or rather as from the stern and immoveable rock. Blows, spittings, scourgings, death, and the lifting up in that death, all came upon Him; and when all these were gone through, He became silent and endured in patience unto the end, as if He suffered nothing, or was already dead....
Exegetical Fragments, III, On Luke XXII 42, etc

Phileas, A.D. 307

... nor considering the law of our sainted fathers and those who have been taken to Christ time after time. nor the honour of our great bishop and father, Peter, on whom we all depend in the hope which we have in the Lord Jesus Christ ... .
The Epistle of the Same Phileas of Thmuis to Meletius, Bishop of Lycopolis

Archelaus, A.D. 277

3. ... And above all this, he (Marcellus) retained in a remarkable and singular measure his devotion to the faith, building up his own heart upon the rock that shall not be moved.
46. ... For this most devout Marcellus was only found to be like the rock on which the house was built with the most solid foundations; and when the rain descended, and the floods and the winds burst in and beat upon that house, it stood firm: for it had been built on the most solid and immoveable foundations....
47. ... The Apostle Peter, however, the most eminent of all the disciples, was able to acknowledge Him on that occasion, when all were putting forth the several opinions which they entertained respecting Him: for he said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God"; and immediately He names him blessed, addressing him thus: "For my heavenly Father hath revealed it unto thee."...
48. ... nor was Peter only named blessed above him ... let me remind you that Peter, on a certain season, subsequent to the time of his receiving that declaration of blessedness from Him, said to Jesus, "Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee." This he said after Jesus had announced to him that the Son of man must go up to Jerusalem, and be killed, and rise again the third day. And in answer then to Peter He said: "Get thee behind me, Satan; for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men."...
The Acts of the Disputation with the Heresiarch Manes, §§ 3, 46, 47, 48

Alexander, A.D. 273 - 326

... And the apostle says, on this place, "What communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial?" And Solomon says, that it is not possible that it should come to pass that a man should comprehend with his understanding "the way of a serpent upon a rock," which is Christ, according to the opinion of Paul....
To Alexander, Bishop of the City of Constantinople, § 7

Methodius of Olympus, A.D. ? - 311

Euboulios. Where, comparing a wise man to a house well founded, He declares him immoveable because he cannot be overthrown by rains, and floods, and winds; likening, as it would seem, these storms to lusts, but the immoveable and unshaken firmness of the soul in chastity to the rock.
Discourse XI - Arete, Chapter III

... And to know Thee is perfect righteousness, and to know Thy power is the root of immortality. Thou art He who, for our salvation, was made the head stone of the corner, precious and honourable, declared before to Sion....
Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna On the Day that They Met in the Temple, Chapter VI

Home | Early Church Writings | Email