​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 16:18) Since 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? 

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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 29, 1 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?