Ante-Nicene Volume 8

Pseudo-Clementine Literature

"While, therefore, we abode in Jericho, and gave ourselves to prayer and fasting, James the bishop sent for me (Peter), and sent me here to Caesarea ... .
Recognitions of Clement, Book I, Chapter LXXII
{See Introductory Notice to Pseudo-Clementine Literature and Introductory Notice to the Recognitions of Clement for discussions of the possible origin of this work.}

Be it known to you, my lord, that Simon, who, for the sake of the true faith, and the most sure foundation of his doctrine, was set apart to be the foundation of the Church, and for this end was by Jesus Himself, with His truthful mouth, named Peter, the first-fruits of our Lord, the first of the apostles; to whom first the Father revealed the Son; whom the Christ, with good reason, blessed; the called, and elect, and associate at table and in the journeyings of Christ; the excellent and approved disciple, who, as being fittest of all, was commanded to enlighten the darker part of the world, namely the West, and was enabled to accomplish it,-and to what extent do I lengthen my discourse, not wishing to indicate what is sad, which yet of necessity, though reluctantly, I must tell you,-he himself, by reason of his immense love towards men, having come as far as Rome, clearly and publicly testifying, in opposition to the wicked one who withstood him, that there is to be a good King over all the world, while saving men by his God-inspired doctrine, himself, by violence, exchanged this present existence for life.
Epistle of Clement to James, Chapter I - Peter's Martyrdom

... For in direct opposition to me (Peter), who am a firm rock, the foundation of the Church, you now stand....
The Clementine Homilies, Homily XVII, Chapter XIX

Apocrypha of the New Testament

... I therefore adore the goodness of God who has caused you to be spoiled even to this city, on account of His true stone held in honour, in order that through you we may receive the knowledge of Him, and may live with you, having believed in Him.
Of the Journeyings of Philip the Apostle; From the Fifteenth Act Until the End, and Among Them the Martyrdom

And while he was thus speaking, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to them in the form of a child, and said to them: Hail, Peter, bishop of the whole of my Church!...
Acts of the Holy Apostles Peter and Andrew
{See Introductory Notice to Apocrypha of the New Testament for a discussion of these apocryphal writings.}

The Decretals

{From Introductory Notice to the Decretals: "The learned editors of the Edinburgh series have given us only a specimen of these frauds, which, pretending to be a series of "papal edicts" from Clement and his successors during the ante-Nicene ages, are, in fact, the manufactured product of the ninth century,-the most stupendous imposture of the world's history." Click on the link for the full introductory note. Or click here for a more full discussion of Canon Law and the Decretals.}

... For the trials of bishops and graver ecclesiastical cases, as the apostles and their holy successors have decreed, are to be finally decided along with other bishops by the seat of the apostles, and by no other; because, although they may be transferred to other bishops, it was yet to the blessed Apostle Peter these terms were addressed: "Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." And the other privileges which have been granted to this holy seat alone are found embodied both in the constitutions of the apostles* and their successors, and in very many others in harmony with these....
The Epistles of Zephyrinus; The First Epistle
{*Note of the Edinburg editors: "This means the seventy-third apostolic canon, in which it is ordained that episcopal cases be not decided but by superior bishops, councils, or the Roman pontiff."}

... For it is not meet for the members to be at variance with the head; but, according to the testimony of sacred Scripture, all the members should follow the head. It is matter of doubt, moreover, to no one, that the church of the apostles is the mother of all the churches, from whose ordinances it is not right that you should deviate to any extent. And as the Son of God came to do the Father's will, so shall ye fulfil the will of your mother, which is the Church, the head of which, as has been stated already, is the church of Rome. Wherefore, whatsoever may be done against the discipline of this church, without the decision of justice, cannot on any account be permitted to be held valid.
The Epistles of Pope Callistus; The First Epistle

... and that the blessed Apostle Peter, the chief of the apostles, in whose cause you spend yourselves, may open the gate of that same glory.
The Epistles of Pope Pontianus; The First Epistle

Now, of the transference of bishops, on which subject it has been your wish to consult the holy seat of the apostles, know ye that that may lawfully be done for the sake of the common good, or when it is absolutely necessary, but not at the mere will or bidding of any individual. Peter, our holy master, and the prince of the apostles, was translated for the sake of the common good from Antioch to Rome ... .
Pope Anterus, The Epistle

By the divine precepts and the apostolic institutes, we are admonished to watch in behoof of the position of all the churches with unwearied interest. Whence it follows that you ought to know what is being done in things sacred in the church of Rome, in order that, by following her example, ye may be found to be true children of her who is called your mother.... Whence also the blessed chief of the apostles, Peter, addressing the people at the ordination of Clement ... .
The Epistles of Pope Fabian; The First Epistle

Hence, again, the Lord says to Moses, "There is a place with me (penes me), and thou shalt stand upon a rock." What place is there that belongs not to the Lord, seeing that all things consist in Him by whom they were created? There is a place, however, with God - to wit, the unity of the holy Church - in which there is a standing upon a rock ... .
The Epistles of Pope Fabian; The Third Epistle, Part V

{There is clearly seen in the preceeding 'Decretals' an exalting of Peter, and of Rome, that is not found in the authentic Ante-Nicene writings.}

Ancient Syriac Documents

... by which Serapion himself also ordination had been received from Zephyrinus bishop of the city of Rome, in the succession of the ordination to the priesthood from Simon Cephas, who had received it from our Lord, and was bishop there in Rome twenty-five years in the days of the Caesar who reigned there thirteen years.
The Teaching of Addaeus the Apostle

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