Ethan Walker
The Catholic Church claims that it is the first church and the one true church, tracing its roots back to the time of Jesus and his apostles. This claim is based on the interpretation of certain passages in the Bible, such as Matthew 16:18, where Jesus says, You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, establishing the primacy of Peter among the apostles. Catholics believe that Saint Peter was the first Bishop of Rome, starting an unbroken line of succession that leads to the Pope, the current Bishop of Rome and the head of the Catholic Church. However, this claim is disputed by some Protestant denominations, who argue that the Catholic Church added practices over time that are not present in the Bible or in the early Christian community established by Jesus's disciples.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Jesus' opinion on the first church | Jesus did not specify whether the first church was Catholic or not. However, he did found a church and gave primacy to Peter among all the apostles. |
| The first church | The first church was the "one true church" as recorded in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts and the Epistles of Paul. |
| Catholic Church's claim | The Catholic Church claims that it is the first church, citing the unbroken chain of succession at Antioch, from Peter (sent by Christ) to Evodius to Ignatius. |
| Evidence for the Catholic Church's claim | The earliest known written record of the term "Catholic Church" was by Ignatius of Antioch, written around 107 AD. The term "Catholic Church" means "universal assembly". |
| Evidence against the Catholic Church's claim | The New Testament Church did not practice core elements of the Roman Catholic faith. The New Testament records the history of the church from approximately AD 30 to approximately AD 90. |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Church claims that Jesus founded the Church in the New Testament
The Catholic Church's claim that it is the "first church" is based on the interpretation of Scripture. The New Testament, specifically the Gospel of Matthew, states that Jesus said to Peter, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). This passage is interpreted as Jesus establishing his church and giving primacy to Peter among all the apostles. Roman Catholics have traditionally understood the church as an institution under the leadership of Peter and his successors, synonymous with the "kingdom of God" proclaimed by Jesus.
However, this view has evolved, and the Second Vatican Council asserted that the church is more than an institution; it is a sacramental community announced by Jesus. The New Testament also mentions the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, an event known as Pentecost, which Catholics believe signalled the beginning of the public ministry of the Church.
The Catholic Church maintains the apostolic succession of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, as the successor to Saint Peter, who was believed to be the first Bishop of Rome. This unbroken line of succession is seen as evidence of the Catholic Church being the "true church."
Protestants dispute the Catholic Church's claim, arguing that the Church founded by Jesus was the "Christian Church" and not specifically Catholic. They point to the Acts of the Apostles, which mentions the disciples being called Christians for the first time. However, some historical evidence suggests that the early Christians in Antioch, founded by Peter, were part of the Catholic Church.
Ultimately, the question of whether Jesus founded the Catholic Church in the New Testament is a matter of interpretation and historical context. While the Catholic Church claims an unbroken line of succession from Jesus' apostles, other Christian denominations disagree and assert their own interpretations of Scripture.
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The Catholic Church is not mentioned in the Bible
The Catholic Church is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, and some argue that the "first church" or "original church" was not Catholic. The New Testament, particularly the Book of Acts and the Epistles of Paul, describes the early Christian community and its practices, which differ from those of the Catholic Church. For example, the New Testament church did not pray to Mary or the saints, venerate Mary, have a pope, or practice infant baptism.
However, others argue that the Catholic Church was indeed established by Jesus and is the true apostolic Church. They point to biblical passages such as Ephesians 2:20 and Revelation 21:14, which indicate that the Apostles are the foundation of the Church, and to the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus says to Peter, "on this rock I will build my church." The Catholic Church maintains the apostolic succession of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, as the successor to Saint Peter.
The term "Catholic Church" first appeared in writing around A.D. 107 in a letter from Ignatius, the Bishop of Antioch, to Christians in Smyrna. In his letter, Ignatius used the term "Catholic Church" interchangeably with the universal assembly of Christians, implying that the term was already familiar to his readers.
While the specific term "Catholic Church" is not mentioned in the Bible, some argue that the early Christian community described in the New Testament, particularly in the Acts of the Apostles, was indeed Catholic. For example, the Christians of Antioch, who were among the first to be called Christians, are believed to have been part of the Catholic Church due to their connection to Peter, who was sent by Christ.
Ultimately, the question of whether the first church mentioned in the Bible was Catholic or not depends on one's interpretation of Scripture and the historical context of early Christianity. While the Catholic Church makes the claim of apostolic succession and continuity with the early Christian community, other churches, including Protestant denominations and Orthodox churches, also assert their connection to the "first church."
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The Catholic Church is based on the 'one true church' model
The Catholic Church is based on the "one true church" model, which asserts that it is the original church established by Jesus and his apostles. This claim is based on the interpretation of Scripture, particularly the New Testament, which records the growth, doctrine, and practices of the early Christian community.
According to Catholic tradition, the Catholic Church began on the day of Pentecost in the upper room of Jerusalem. This event, known as the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, signaled the start of the public ministry of the Church, according to Catholic teaching. The New Testament, specifically Matthew's gospel (16:18), also records Jesus saying, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church." This passage is interpreted as Jesus establishing his church and giving primacy to Peter among the apostles.
The Catholic Church maintains the apostolic succession of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, as the successor to Saint Peter. This unbroken line of succession is seen as a hallmark of the true church. The early Christians in Antioch, where Peter founded the church before going to Rome, were also considered part of the Catholic Church.
However, some argue that the core elements of the Roman Catholic Church, such as praying to Mary, infant baptism, and the existence of a select priesthood, were not practiced by the New Testament Church. These practices developed over time, and the early Christian community described in the New Testament did not resemble the hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church.
Despite these differences, the Catholic Church asserts that it is the "first church" and that its doctrines and practices are rooted in Scripture and guided by the Holy Spirit. The Church is seen as a sacramental community announced by Jesus, with its purpose being to announce the kingdom of God and make it present.
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The Catholic Church is based on apostolic succession
The Catholic Church is one of several Christian denominations that base their legitimacy on apostolic succession. This is the belief that the ministry of the church is derived from the apostles by a continuous succession, usually through a series of bishops. The Catholic Church claims that its bishops are part of a lineage that goes back to the time of the apostles, which is not possible in Protestant denominations, most of which do not have bishops.
The concept of apostolic succession is based on the biblical idea of being "sent". In John 20:21, Jesus says, "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you". The Greek word used here is "apostello", which means "one sent with the authority of the one who sent him". This implies that Jesus's ministers were sent with his authority, which gives the Church its infallibility and juridical authority.
The New Testament provides evidence for apostolic succession, with Paul telling Timothy, “What you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). This passage refers to the first three generations of apostolic succession: Paul's generation, Timothy’s generation, and the generation Timothy will teach. Another example is found in Hebrews 6:1-3, which presents the doctrine of apostolic succession as a progression from elementary doctrines to maturity.
The early Church Fathers, who were links in the chain of succession, regularly appealed to apostolic succession as a test for whether doctrines were Catholic or heretical. J. N. D. Kelly, a Protestant Church historian, writes that the apostles committed their teachings orally to the Church, where they were handed down from generation to generation. This oral tradition was public and open, ensuring the preservation of the true doctrine.
However, some Protestant denominations, including Anglicans and Moravians, deny the need for episcopal continuity with the early Church. They argue that the apostles were chosen by Jesus as witnesses of his resurrection and were meant to be the "special instruments of the Holy Spirit in founding and building up the Church". Anglican theologian E. A. Litton states that the Church is "built upon 'the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles', but a foundation does not repeat itself". For many Protestants, the most meaningful form of apostolic succession is a "faithful succession" of apostolic teaching.
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The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus's disciples
The Catholic Church is based on the tradition that it was founded by Jesus Christ and instituted by Him during his lifetime. This is based on the Gospel of Matthew (16:18) where Jesus says, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church". This is also known as the Confession of Peter. Here, Jesus not only establishes his church but also gives primacy to Peter (or Simon, as was his name before it was changed by Christ) among all the apostles.
Jesus chose twelve apostles, to whom he gave special instruction and orders. He formed them as the foundation of His organization. After his resurrection, He confirmed Peter’s authority over the Church, saying, "Feed my lambs; feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17). Jesus also promised to remain for all time with the Church He established.
The Catholic Church considers its bishops to be the successors to Jesus's apostles and the Church's leader, the Bishop of Rome (also known as the Pope), to be the sole successor to St Peter. Peter was the first Bishop of Rome and consecrated Linus as its next bishop, thus starting an unbroken line of succession that continues to this day.
However, some disagree with the claim that the Catholic Church was the first church. The New Testament records the history of the church from approximately AD 30 to approximately AD 90. The core elements of the Roman Catholic Church were not practised by the New Testament Church, which was the first church. The Catholic Church was founded much later, around 300 AD. The original church also did not have the same hierarchical structure as the Catholic Church.
The Orthodox Church also claims that the first church was the Orthodox Church, based on the argument of apostolic succession.
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Frequently asked questions
Jesus did not explicitly say the first church was Catholic. However, the Catholic Church claims that it is the "first church" based on apostolic succession, with St. Peter, appointed by Jesus as head of the Church, as the first Bishop of Rome (Pope).
In Matthew's gospel (16:18), Jesus says, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church." Roman Catholics interpret this as Jesus establishing his church and giving primacy to Peter, with the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, being the successor to St. Peter.
The New Testament, which records the history of the church from approximately A.D. 30 to A.D. 90, does not mention several core elements of the Roman Catholic faith, such as praying to Mary, infant baptism, and a select priesthood.
The earliest known written record of the term "Catholic Church" is from a letter written by Ignatius, the Bishop of Antioch, around A.D. 107. Ignatius used the term "Catholic Church" (Gk. katholike ekklesia), meaning "universal assembly," to emphasize unity among Christians.
