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Ecclēsia ~ the CHURCH

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AUTHORITY ON TRADITION

AUTHORITY ON TRADITION

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What Church was the early Church referred to as? Let's dive in.

                                 

FACT: (Acts 9:11

Original Greek in the Septuagint scriptures Jesus and the apostles used;

“ai men oun ekklesia (the church) kath oles (katholikos ~ universal ~ catholic) tēs ioudaias kai galilaias kai samareias eichon eirēnēn oikodomoumenai kai poreuomenai tō phobō tou kuriou kai tē paraklēsei tou agiou pneumatos eplēthunonto.”

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The Douay Rheims version reads; "Now 'The church' had peace 'throughout all' Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria; and was edified, walking in the fear of the Lord, and was filled with the consolation of the Holy Ghost." Throughout ALL in original Greek word, was "katholikos", meaning universal all-encompassing, applicable to all people, all places, without exception, throughout all time.] 

                         

This is what's referred to in "lower case c", whereas capitalized "C" points to the "Catholic Church".

More on the history of the Catholic Church on the next page.       

                                                  

FACT:

Jesus with the help of the Holy Spirit established "one" Church at Pentecost in 33 A.D., but soon thereafter many separate groups began to appear, yet there is no mention of Catholic until the early 2nd century, in the writings of Ignatius of Antioch in a letter to Smyrnaeans referring to the visible and authoritative Church around 107 A.D. as the Catholic Church. While some apostles were still alive, several different groups arose claiming to be followers of Jesus but promoted heresies. Christ disciples had to identify themselves from the others, thus the name emerged, the "Catholic Church".  

                                               

The identifying word "catholic" (katholikos) only began to be used in the 2nd century (after 100 A.D.). One notable reference was in a letter written by Ignatius, bishop of Antioch in 130 A.D. In his "Catechetical Discourses" by Cyril of Jerusalem, "catholic" (katholikos) was used to describe followers of Jesus Christ. And the only reasons the early Church fathers and leaders began using the word "catholic" was to distinguish Christ's true followers from other schismatic groups who began referring to themselves as Christian and "the Church", yet changed teachings on their own. So, the idea of "protestant" goes back long before the 16th century. Heretics have plagued the Church from the start.

                                  
Since the word "catholic" means universal, where all believers follow the same teachings throughout all time, in every nation, this understanding has been with God's people going all the way back to the beginning; Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, the entire nation of ancient Israel, Moses, down to the apostles and all faithful disciples of Christ through the ages to this day. Even
 King David referred to Israel as the Church of saints. (Psalms 149:1) Therefore, it's no surprise that the Lord Jesus Christ called His followers, His Church. (Matthew 16:18Since there was only one group of Christians Jesus called "the Church", and based on what we just discovered, it was the "catholic church", ekklesia katholikos. However, with all these "branches" under the umbrella of "Catholicism" or "Apostolic", it's difficult to identify which one dates back to the one established at Pentacost 33 A.D. with the apostles. So, when we refer to "the Church", which one are we pointing to? 

BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER:

This has become increasingly more challenging since the 15th and 16th centuries with the advent of the "Protestants" and "Reformers" coming out of "Catholicism", where now there are over 40,000 different denominations all claiming to be Christian. Many object to the pomp, pageantry, ceremony, and wealth of the Roman Catholic Church going back centuries with their opulent cathedrals, ornate vestments of the clergy, smells, bells ringing throughout the centuries. Many early Protestants objected to the "indulgences" and "inquisitions" introduced by the Roman Catholic hierarchy. To many Protestants, the idea of paying the bishop of Rome (Pope) to use his powers to get a dead person out of hell into heaven was repugnant and contradictory to their views of Christ's teachings. And the idea of taking someone from their home accusing them of heresy in an inquisition", in a kangaroo-style court by the clergy is equally repugnant and contrary to Jesus's method to draw sinners out to do as He admonished, "Go and sin no more." But is this the case as to how these things occurred?

 

And as far as the outward expressions of the "Mass" or liturgy of the Church with elaborate priestly vestments and cathedral architecture, all one has to do is dig deeper and searched further back in history of ancient Israel, to see many similar things; King Solomon's magnificent temple, golden lampstands, silver chalices, precious gems decorating the vestments of the priests, and ornate silk tapestry around the tabernacle, with burning incense and chants filling the courtyard singing praises to God. Yet no one questions how the Jews worshipped. However, many of these practices were man-made "traditions". Ten commandments became 650 rules with Israel, including how everyday life should be carried out like a daily "to do list", or "not to do list". 

                 

FACT: 

The big difference is that the angel of God provided David with detailed blueprints for Solomon's Temple, outlining specific materials, measurements, and design elements. David passed these plans on to Solomon, who then used them to build the temple. This included instructions for the temple's structure, furnishings, and even the gold and silver needed for decoration. (1 Chronicles 291 Kings 6)

                    

The same can be true of Noah's Ark. God gave very specific instructions how to build the Ark, etc. God did not leave it up to Noah's level of engineering knowledge or his righteousness. It was God's plans.

                   

FACT: 

Nothing like that was handed down to the early Church fathers or any of the later Churches and large elaborate Cathedrals of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church points to Matthew 16:18-19 as to where Peter all subsequent "Popes" got their authority and permission to do as they pleased on matters of "faith and morals" provided it lined up with apostolic teachings. And where do apostolic teachings originate from? Our Lord Jesus as He revealed it to the apostles as written in scripture.

                        

QUESTION: 

Where did Peter and the apostles receive permission or authority to build whatever Churches (Cathedrals/temples) they wanted without any specific instructions from God (Jesus) to do so? And what does history tell us as to where the funds came from to build large ornate Cathedrals on one city, and small modest Chapels elsewhere? Who made those decisions and why? Where is that found in scrioture or even apostolic tradition? Typically, throughout the history of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the locally appointed bishops in an area built whatever they wanted by collecting funds from Christians in that area and with the help of Rome. But does this line up with how ancient Israel built the temple and how the vestments were designed?

 
"For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them"? (Matthew 18:20) If our Lord is our presence (in midst) when even just a few Christians meet, do they even need a special building to meet, much less a Church with all the decor so prevalent in Catholic Churches in most parts of the world? Why build these expensive elaborate edifices without God's (Jesus's) instructions or permission, just to make people feel reverent and edified?
 

Imitating what ancient Israel did in connection with the temple does not in itself sanction or mean God's blessing is with any institution. Where is the "blueprint" from God for any of these Churches throughout the world, Catholic, Orthodox, Protestants, or otherwise?

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COMPARE VESTMENTS
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ROME 2025

The Sacraments

of the Catholic Church

(Each based on scripture)

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SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
"Go therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Spirit)."  (Matthew 28:19)  
"Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost (Spirit), he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."  (John 3:5) Jesus made no allowance for "baptism of desire".
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SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION & PENANCE
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful, He will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all iniquity.." (1 John 1:9)
(priests receive Holy Orders to stand in Christ's place during confession; Council of Trent)
(Click photos)
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SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION (EUCHARIST)
"And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: THIS IS my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me."  (Luke 22:19)
 (Click on photo below)
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"First Holy Communion, "Eucharist"
John 6:48-59;
"He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day. "
(This is Christ "presence", during Holy Communion, the Eucharist, when Christ changes or converts the substance of the host, the bread, into His body as it enters our body; called tran-substantiation)
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THE HOLY ORDERS

A manifestations in the Catholic Church is the Holy Orders of the clergy of the Church beginning with Jesus appointing as head and ruler of the Church and the first Pope. 

"Thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven." Matt. 16:18-19 (Click)

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Peter - Chief Apostle

"Jesus saith to Simon Peter: Simon son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: FEED MY LAMBS.(John 21:15)

Jesus told Peter to TEACH His followers to observe ALL His commands; and in doing so, He would be with them until the consummation of the world. (Matt. 28:20) This is also a key scripture that clearly points out that Christ would be with His Church and have His Church visibly flourish until the end, to the consummation of the world. This makes it clear that He would not allow His Church enter into apostacy "until" the last days. 

When Jesus handed Peter the keys of authority of His Church, Jesus wasn't declaring Peter "infallible". While Peter occupied a very important role in Christ Church, Peter was just a man with frailties and imperfections. And though Peter was the chief apostle because Jesus bestowed that unique charism or authority upon him, Jesus also gave all the apostles great powers and authority to cure sickness, heal the blind, even raise the dead, but their primary task was to provide Jesus lambs spiritual food when they needed it. (Matt. 24:45)

When Peter died a martyr's death in 66-67 A.D., other faithful shepherds, Church fathers, would continue the work of Peter to govern the Church. Although little is written about him, Church tradition has it that Linus was successor to Peter, the next bishop of the Church. (Philippians 4:3)

Jesus also promised He would provide the Church with "... apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelizes, some as doctors and some as saints..." to insure the body of the Church would remain all in unity. (Ephesians 4:11-13)

An example of such a "saint" and "doctor" of the Church was St Thomas Aquinas in the 13th Century, "Angelic Doctor of the Church". (Many saints and 33 doctors of the Church) (Click on photos)

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St Thomas Aquinas is holding a copy of the Bible in one hand and what appears to be a model of the Church in his other hand, symbolizing the teachings of the Church. In a very real way, like Peter, St Thomas Aquinas is holding the representations of Peter's keys. Remember, there was no completed compiled copy of "the Bible" for many centuries when Jesus gave Peter the keys. So the final say on Christ teachings weren't "sola scriptura", i.e., scriptures only. They taught by word of mouth based on the traditions that Jesus and His apostles passed when the Church was born at Pentecost. 

 

Below are just a few other early Church fathers and theologians. 

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St LinusSt Clement - 88 A.D., St Ignatius 108, Justin Martyr 155 and St Siricius in 350. 

The list of bishops, Church leaders, historians and Saints of the Church seems endless providing clear indication that the Church not only DID NOT go into decline and apostacy as the "latter-day" reformers promote, but in fact, flourished all through the ages. And just because some proved to be unfaithful and sinned greatly, was no indication Christ abandoned His Church. 

(Click on photos below)

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BISHOP St. Siricius of the 4th century, the 38th Bishop of Rome left behind his original handwritten decrees that is now preserved in Rome.

 

THE PAPACY

There's far more to be covered on the Papacy and the history of the 267 Bishops of Rome, "Popes" since Peter to be addressed in another page to be added later.

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ARE CATHOLICS ANTI-SEMITIC ~ ANTI-JEWS?

First of all, "anti-semitic" is a misnomer (wrong name) that many use to apply to some who do not agree with Jews. The word "Semite" applies to all descendants of Noah's son Shem, including Israel. All Arabs and middle-Easterners are Semites, so, to accuse someone as antisemitic because they disagree with Jews who reject Jesus as the foretold Messiah (Christ) is a misnomer and incorrect. Catholics have no mandate or permission from Jesus to be against (anti- Jews). In fact, Catholics are commanded to love neighbors, jews or otherwise. 

      

Paul wrote "If at all possible, be at peace with all..." ~ (Romans 12:18) Christian Catholics know what Jesus was saying at (​Matthew 23:31-38), the long history of how ancient Israelite leaders rejected and killed the prophets sent forth to Israel with messages to get them repent and return to true worship. In Matt. 23, Jesus also prophesying that they (Jews) would not only do the same to Him, but to all those Jesus would send forth as messengers of the gospel, but again, they (Jews) would not accept it and would persecute and even kill Christ disciples by delivering them (Christians) up to their (Jews) political paramours. Jesus didn't put a time limit on this struggle. This culminated in the first century with the destruction of Jerusalem, but continued on for centuries. More on the details of the history of this struggle will be expanded on on subsequent pages herein, "enemies".

 

All this said, Jesus never once gave permission to hate or retaliate against Jews or anyone. He warned His disciples that this would be their lot in life as it was His, to remain neutral. Jesus went so far to command His disciples to "Love thy neighbor... pray for those who persecute you", hard as that may seem, whether they are Jews, non-Jews, even atheists. Jesus also commanded His disciples to "Judge not..."

Therefore, CATHOLICS ARE NOT ANTI-SEMITIC.

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FOR THE JEWS:

Why do Christians (Catholics) since 33 A.D. still believe Jesus was the foretold Messiah (Christ)?

Where's the proof?  (Click on the picture below)

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