Chapter V

PETER'S PRIMACY AS EXHIBITED IN THE ACTS.

Division of the Acts into history of the Church universal, and
of S. Paul in particular 114

Gospels, history of the Head; Acts, of the Body 115

Execution of Christ's promises declaratory of their enactment 116

General proof of this as to the Primacy in the Acts 117
1. Peter oftener mentioned than all the rest put together.
2. The leading part assigned to him.
3. Peter mentioned directly; the rest obliquely 118
4. Peter answers for all the Apostles 119
5. Luke records Peter's actions and speeches in full.
6. The first part of the Acts may be called the
history of Peter 120

I. Particular proof--Election of a new Apostle 122

S. Chrysostome's comment on this 124

Peter's conduct in defending the rest on the day of Pentecost 125

Third and fourth speech of Peter.--Summary of the first
four chapters 128

II. Proof from junction of authoritative teaching and miracles 129

Resemblance between Peter's miracles and Christ's 131

Peter the chief figure among the Apostles as Christ before 133

III. Peter presides over the different steps in propagating
the Church 134

Peter's part in the conversion of Samaria 135

IV. Peter receiving the Gentiles in the person of Cornelius 137

Things to be noted in this reception concerning Peter.--Peter
murmured against by some of the circumcision 142

S. Chrysostome and S. Gregory upon his conduct 143

V. S. Peter exercising supreme judicial power over Ananias 144

VI. S. Peter exercising supreme visitatorial power 145

VII. S. Peter's supreme legislative authority in council 147

The consent and joint action of others do not impugn the
supremacy 148

Tertullian's testimony as to his authority here, and that of
S. Jerome and Theodoret 150

VIII. Contrast between the mode in which the imprisonment of
Peter, and that of James and Paul is mentioned 151

Summary of the testimony to Peter in the Acts 153

His Primacy magisterial, judicial, and legislative.--Its
institution compared with its exercise 154

No opposition offered to it 155

The mystical headship contrasted with the visible 157