“He says, ‘to visit Peter;’ he does not say to see (heiden), but to visit
and survey (historesai), a word which those who seek to become
acquainted with great and splendid cities apply to themselves.
Worthy of such trouble did he consider the very sight of Peter; and
this appears from the Acts of the Apostles also” (Homily on
Galatians 1, 18 [393-397 AD]).
Galatians 1:18-19 reads as follows:
“Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and
remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except
James the Lord’s brother.”
The words “visit” in relation to St. Peter and “saw” for the other Apostles
in Greek, are, respectively historesai and heiden. Historesai connotes more
than just to visit; it also means “to question” or “to examine.” Together, the
words “historesai Kephan” means “to get information from Cephas.” St.
Paul spent more than two weeks with St. Peter and in that time would have
discussed a vast range of topics concerning the Christian faith with him.
This he did not do with St. James, the other Apostle he “saw” (heiden).
Why? For St. Peter alone was the Rock and head of the others.
Seventh objection: “The primacy of the Roman popes based on St.
Peter began with Pope Gregory the Great. The early Church
recognized no such primacy in the bishop of Rome!”
There are numerous instances in early Church history when either
individuals or groups, both orthodox and heretical, appealed to Rome for a
decision or declaration in their favor, for example:
(i)
The early Church historian Hegesippus traveled throughout the
Empire to ascertain on behalf of Pope Anicetus (155-166 AD)
whether the teachings of the various churches were in uniformity
with Rome.
(ii)
Tertullian states that the Montanist community dispatched letters to
Rome seeking recognition (c. 173-180 AD).
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