Page:A Catechism on the Thirty nine Articles.pdf/109

Rh Church, and that they are successors of St. Peter and consequently have the same jurisdiction.

What grounds have they for this assertion?

Two texts of Scripture; viz., "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church;" and, "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Show that the first of these texts does not prove that for which it is adduced.

Many eminent fathers of the Church consider the rock there mentioned to be not St. Peter himself, but the truth he then confessed.

But supposing it to mean St. Peter, how is it to be interpreted?

The other Apostles are foundation stones of the Church equally with St. Peter; and he is only the first of them. See Rev. xxi. 14.

Show that the second passage does not prove the supremacy of St. Peter.

Because the same power was afterwards given to the other Apostles. St. Matt, xviii. 18.

What was that power?

The power of admitting members into the Church, of ruling them in it, of excluding them from it, and of restoring them to it.

Show that St. Peter had no power over the other Apostles