Clement of Alexandria, Hypotyposeis (inter 190-210 AD) [Fragment
in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 6, 14, 5-6]
“The Gospels containing the genealogies … were written first. The
circumstances which occasioned that of Mark were these: When Peter
preached the Word publicly at Rome, and declared the Gospel by the Spirit,
many who were present requested that Mark, who had been for a long time
his follower and who remembered his sayings, should write down what had
been proclaimed. Having composed the Gospel, he gave it to those who had
requested it. When Peter learned of this, he did not positively forbid it, but
neither did he encourage it. John, last of all, seeing that the plain facts had
been clearly set forth in the Gospels, and being urged by his acquaintances,
composed a spiritual Gospel under the divine inspiration of the Spirit.”
Tertullian, Against Marcion 4, 2, 1 (inter 207-212 AD)
“First of all, we take the position that the evangelical testament has as its
authors Apostles, upon whom the task of promulgating the Gospel was
imposed by the Lord Himself … Of the Apostles, then, John and Matthew
first introduced the faith to us, and of the apostolic men, Luke and Mark
refresh it for us.”
St. Augustine of Hippo, Against the Letter of Mani 5, 6 (397 AD)
“If you should find someone who does not yet believe in the Gospel, what
would you answer him when he says: ‘I do not believe?’ Indeed, I would
not believe in the Gospel myself if the authority of the Catholic Church did
not influence me to do so.”
Catechism of the Council of Trent (1566)
Preface: Now all the doctrines in which the faithful are to be instructed
are contained in the Word of God, which is found in Scripture and
Tradition. To the study of these, therefore, the pastor should devote his
days and nights, keeping in mind the admonition of St. Paul to Timothy,
which all who have care of souls should consider as addressed to
themselves: Attend to reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine, for all
scripture divinely inspired is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to
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