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On the Theophania
Eusebius of Caesarea, tr. Lee, 1843
How He mentioned His church by name, when yet it had no existence: and how He declared,…
When asking His Disciples on a certain occasion, what men said of Him, and they answering according to the opinion of the many, He asked them the second time, “But what say ye?” and, when Simon had said unto Him, “Thou art the Christ of the living God,” He answered him, and said: “Blessed art thou Simon son of Jonas, since flesh and blood hath not revealed (this) to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I also say to thee, Thou art Cephas: and upon this rock do I build my Church, and the gate-bars of Hell shall not prevail against it.” The (term) “this” He took (as implying) the knowledge, that He was the Messiah, the Son of the living God; and Cephas (the rock), because it should neither be rent nor moved. It is not unlikely, that He named (in) “THIS” the whole sense comprised here. On this account too, He designated that same Disciple, who had formerly been called Simon, Cephas (Peter), with reference to this knowledge; (and) of which He afterwards prophesied, and said: “On this rock do I build my Church, and the gate-bars of Hell shall not prevail against it.” He foretold at once something to come to pass, and promised, that Himself would build it (the Church), and bring the work to completion, by the things of this knowledge which had now been given concerning Himself; that it should be made firm as on a confirmed foundation; and that His Church should be built, solely by means of His own power which is everlasting, and that the gates of Hell should never overcome it. He himself afforded a proof (of this) in the fulfilment, better than any (that) words (can give). For innumerable persecutions, and many forms of death, have sprung up against His Church, but in nothing could they prevail against it. He has therefore, openly confirmed the enouncement of His prediction, by deeds; its truth He has shewn, by the fulfilment. The Church too, which He called the congregation, about to be set up in His name, evinced no small foreknowledge: for the congregations of the Jews had been termed Synagogues; and, during the time of His going about among men, He frequented the Synagogue of the Jews. Nor was there hitherto, so much as one Synagogue only, set apart to Him. And, Who is not astonished, that He so foreknew those congregations which should afterwards be set up, at a great distance of time, in His name, and, that He should not name them, after the Jewish custom, Synagogues, but Churches? He added too, that the gate-bars of Hell should not prevail against them:—things, which we perceive with our own eyes! Nor should we wonder at the prediction only, but also at His promise, namely, “I build my Church upon the rock, and the gate-bars of Hell shall not prevail against it:” which is (all) so brought near in fact, that we can see it! For it was not by the power of men, nor yet by the superiority of the Teachers (employed), that His Church was raised; but, it was He who promised, and in deed fulfilled His promise! —He (I say) who up to this time has, by the Divine Power, built up, and enlarged, His Church throughout the whole creation of man!