The Catholic Church

The Catholic Church is often called the original Church founded by Jesus Christ. This claim is not just tradition; it is rooted in scripture, history, and the understanding of the early Christian community. Jesus did not leave instructions for a new denomination or a collection of independent groups. Instead, He established a single Church with authority, teaching, and sacraments meant to guide His followers through the centuries.

The foundation of the Catholic Church is seen most clearly in scripture. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says to Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Catholics interpret this passage as Christ giving Peter a unique leadership role among the apostles, making him the first pope. The apostles continued this mission, teaching, baptizing, and ordaining leaders to preserve the faith. This succession of authority is called apostolic succession, and it ensures that the Church continues the mission Christ entrusted to His followers.

By the first centuries, the Christian community spread across the Roman Empire and beyond. The early Church recognized the importance of unity, both in belief and in practice. This is where the term “Catholic” becomes significant. The word “Catholic” comes from the Greek katholikos, meaning “universal.” It was used by early Church Fathers like St. Ignatius of Antioch in the early second century to describe the Church as universal, open to all people, and consistent in faith and practice. The idea of universality reinforced the understanding that there is one Church, founded by Christ, that transcends geography, culture, and language.

A key historical moment that highlights the Catholic Church’s claim as the original Church is the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. This council was called by Emperor Constantine to address divisions in the Church and to clarify Christian doctrine, especially regarding the nature of Christ. While the council is most famous for producing the Nicene Creed, it is also important for solidifying the terminology used to describe the Church. In the records of the council, the Church is referred to as Katholike ekklesia, which translates to “the universal Church.” This demonstrates that the early Christian leaders understood the Church as a single, unified institution, not a collection of competing groups. The Council of Nicaea also set a precedent for the Church’s authority to address theological disputes and maintain unity in faith, a role it continues to exercise to this day.

Throughout history, the Catholic Church has preserved the teachings and sacraments instituted by Christ. The sacraments, the liturgy, and the moral teachings have been passed down from generation to generation. This continuity is a sign that the Church maintains the structure and authority Christ intended. Unlike other Christian communities that emerged later, the Catholic Church traces its bishops directly back to the apostles. This unbroken line of succession is both historical and spiritual evidence that the Church is the same institution Christ established.

Another way we know the Catholic Church is the original Church is through the writings of early Church Fathers. Figures like St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Irenaeus, and Tertullian all refer to the Church as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. They testify that the Church had bishops, sacraments, and authority to guide believers. These writings show that the early Christians understood themselves as part of a universal Church, not separate factions.

In conclusion, the Catholic Church is the Church Jesus built. Scripture, historical evidence, and the witness of early Church leaders all point to one unified institution with authority, teaching, and sacraments established by Christ. The use of Katholikos at the Council of Nicaea highlights the Church’s universality, showing that from the earliest times, Christians recognized the Church as a single, universal body. Apostolic succession, historical continuity, and the testimony of the early Church all support the Catholic Church’s claim to being the original Church, entrusted with the mission of Christ to guide humanity in faith, hope, and love.