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]