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"If your understanding of the early church comes from out-of-context quotes posted on Catholic apologetic websites, then I want to encourage you to challenge every quote by reading the references in context."
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Early Church Evidence of the Mass? What did Tertullian really say?
Brian Culliton
Catholics For Truth tract 11 (The Mass as Sacrifice) uses the following quote from Tertullian as proof that the early church celebrated mass as a sacrifice.
Tertullian, "The Crown", 3, 3-5 (211 AD): "The sacrament of the Eucharist, which the Lord commanded us to be taken …. From the hands of none others except the presidents (priests) …. We offer sacrifice (the Eucharist) for the dead on their birthday anniversaries…".
Catholic apologists are never above manipulating ancient writings, and here we have a classic example. Notice how the quote used in the Catholic tract sounds like a description of the Catholic mass. But when you read what Tertullian actually said, you get an entirely different picture.
In chapter three of "The Chaplet," Tertullian describes a few traditions (customs) that cannot be supported by the written word. He did this to refute (or instruct as he put it) those who wanted to recognize only written authority when it came to observing customs. Tertullian points out that they already observe customs that cannot be supported by the written word.
Beginning with baptism, Tertullian laid out a short list of customs that were observed in the church during his time. None of the customs are found in the writings of the Scriptures (Old Testament) or in the Gospels or letters. But Tertullian argues that the customs they practice came down from their fathers and were not contrary to Gospel principles and were therefore good to observe. He said he would agree that only the written authority should be observed if not for the fact that these things were known and practiced by earlier Christians.
The point of Tertullian's instruction was to enlighten Christians concerning Gospel liberty. Tertullian stated that there were two points of view when it came to observing customs. 1) It is not permissible to observe a custom unless the written word has permitted it. 2) It is permissible to observe a custom so long as the written word has not condemned it. The former seeks to burden the Christian, while the latter reflects the liberty Christians enjoy in Christ Jesus. Tertullian rightly projected that the latter was not only in agreement with the Gospel message, but also showed that those who subscribed to the former were already in violation of their own principles because they themselves practiced customs that cannot be found in the written word.
When Tertullian used the word "presidents" he was likely referring to the presbyter. Catholic apologists often substitute the word "priest" for the word "presbyter." It is vitally important for them to do this so as to give the impression that the Catholic priesthood has always been in place. But nothing could be further from the truth. Presbyter is simply a word meaning "elder."
There is a particular slyness to the last part of the quote used in the Catholic tract. The last sentence: "We offer sacrifice (the Eucharist) for the dead on their birthday anniversaries," is first and foremost a deliberate attempt to change the meaning by substituting the words "offer sacrifice" for the words "make offerings," which are two completely different things.
Second, the framing of the quote is also misleading. Tertullian was listing several traditions, which could be reformatted as bullets (as I did below). When read in context, it's obvious that this last statement concerning offerings is separate from the former statement about the Eucharist. When we combine the previous quote with the text that follows it, the "misframing" of the quote becomes obvious.
Here is chapter three of "The Chaplet" in context and properly formatted.
"And how long shall we draw the saw to and fro through this line, when we have an ancient practice, which by anticipation has made for us the state, i.e., of the question? If no passage of Scripture has prescribed it, assuredly custom, which without doubt flowed from tradition, has confirmed it. For how can anything come into use, if it has not first been handed down? Even in pleading tradition, written authority, you say, must be demanded. Let us inquire, therefore, whether tradition, unless it be written, should not be admitted. Certainly we shall say that it ought not to be admitted, if no cases of other practices which, without any written instrument, we maintain on the ground of tradition alone, and the countenance thereafter of custom, affords us any precedent."
"To deal with this matter briefly, I shall begin with baptism.
 When we are going to enter the water, but a little before, in the presence of the congregation and under the hand of the president, we solemnly profess that we disown the devil, and his pomp, and his angels. Hereupon we are thrice immersed, making a somewhat ampler pledge than the Lord has appointed in the Gospel. Then when we are taken up (as new-born children), we taste first of all a mixture of milk and honey, and from that day we refrain from the daily bath for a whole week.
We take also, in congregations before daybreak, and from the hand of none but the presidents, the sacrament of the Eucharist, which the Lord both commanded to be eaten at mealtimes, and enjoined to be taken by all alike.
As often as the anniversary comes round, we make offerings for the dead as birthday honors.
We count fasting or kneeling in worship on the Lord's day to be unlawful. We rejoice in the same privilege also from Easter to Whitsunday.
We feel pained should any wine or bread, even though our own, be cast upon the ground.
At every forward step and movement, at every going in and out, when we put on our clothes and shoes, when we bathe, when we sit at table, when we light the lamps, on couch, on seat, in all the ordinary actions of daily life, we trace upon the forehead the sign."
(Tertullian, "The Chaplet", 3, 3; Roberts-Donaldson Translation)
It is important for us as Christians to understand our liberty in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul said, "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (1Cor. 6:12) There are traditions that edify and there are those that are dangerous and contradictory to the word of God. As Christians we must be discerning. Test all things by the word of God. If a tradition or custom appears contrary to the Gospel of Christ, flee from it. We Christians must be much more than Christians in name only; we must be true disciples of Christ, ever learning the ways of God in truth through His word.
If your understanding of the early church comes from out-of-context quotes posted on Catholic apologetic websites, then I want to encourage you to challenge every quote by reading the references in context. And be especially careful when forming an opinion from quote taken from websites such as "Catholic Answers." In their effort to persuade their visitors, Catholic Answers posts several quotes from writings that were condemned by the early church because their authorship was found to be fraudulent. Don't be persuaded to believe what someone wants you to believe, but rather be a seeker of truth
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