Are catholics the original Christians?

Question

I always believed this to be true, but never knew where the origins of it came from. All the branches of protestantism grew from catholicism, correct?

For the record, I'm not anti-catholic or anti-protestant - although I don't understand why they can't get along since they're basically different means to the same end.

Please keep the anti-catholic comments out of this thread, thanks.

Answer 1

Way to go, king james. He asked you to keep anti Catholic comments out of the thread so you post one that is a whole freaking page long. Moron. He's just seeking a little history lesson, not a dissertation on the evils of Catholicism.



Anyway. Are Catholics the original Christians? No. Jesus Christ's disciples, I suppose would be the original Christians. The Catholic Church came later, after Constantine and Christian religious leaders picked and chose what was to go into the office version of The Holy Bible. Once the warring factions of Christianity were united, that eventually evolved into the Catholic Church. While not the original version of Christians, the Catholic Church was the absolute authority on the Christian religion until just a few hundred years ago.



The first branch of protestantism, the Church of England, was created by the king of England merely because he wanted a divorce and the Catholic Church would not grant him one. But the idea spread that Catholicism was not necessarily the only path, and other versions of protestantism began to surface afterwards.



The main reason that Catholics and Protestants don't get along is the Virgin Mary and the Saints. While Catholics revere the Saints and the Virgin, Protestants view this reveration as worship, which is forbidden in the commandment that speaks of not worshiping false idols. They also interpret different passages of the Bible in different ways, further separating them.



I hope this answers your question. Good luck in your search for knowledge.

Answer 2

There was essentially only one church, divided into patriarchies, although there were popes in Rome from 306AD on (Constantine I). The church finally split into two distinct branches -- Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches in 1054, over the issue of the primacy of the Roman patriarchy. The protestant movement grew over several centuries until the Reformation.



So, no, Roman Catholics aren't the 'original' christians, or at least, they are no more so than the Eastern (Greek) Orthodox.

Answer 3

King James must not have noticed your last sentence!!!

As a history maven, I have tried to look at this progression from angles besides our hind-sight view. I think we tend to look at the church as an institution more than a movement of Christians. From an institutional standpoint, yes, the Roman Catholic Church was the "universal/catholic" church, and the Protestant denominations split off beginning in the Reformation. From a "Body of Christ" standpoint, the church grew and developed in different ways over the centuries, dividing over doctrine or customs, and reforming errors. Although the Roman Catholic church traces itself historically to the early Roman church, it is all a process. That church in the middle ages was not what it was 1,000 years earlier, and is not what it it today. Protestants tend to think of the Reformation as just that; a reform of the church to original doctrine, rather than a breaking away. The roman Catholic church also went through the "Catholic Reformation".

Answer 4

No catholics are not the original christians. The first christians you find in the bible. As for why the protestant can not get along with catholics its all doctrine, and the other one believes the other to be destined for hell, which means their eyes they do not believe themselves to both be the means to the same end.

Answer 5

The Church of God began on the biblical Feast of Pentecost. On that day God poured out the power of His Spirit on the disciples who were gathered in Jerusalem in obedience to His law and Christ's personal instructions (see Acts 1:4-5; 2:1-4).



This fulfilled the promise Jesus had earlier made to His disciples: "On this rock [referring to Himself; see 1 Corinthians 10:4] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades [the grave] shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18).



Here was a dual promise. Jesus would build a spiritual body of believers that would continue to exist down through the ages, even to the end of the present age and His return to earth. No human force of the physical world, or evil power from the spirit world, would ever be able to destroy His Church.



Jesus Christ told His apostles to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in His name. Most people who are familiar with the Bible realize those apostles zealously embarked on that mission. Their converts were first called Christians in the city of Antioch (Acts 11:26). Since then, so many people have been born or converted into the hundreds of denominations known collectively as "Christianity" that it is one of the world's most popular and dominant religions.



People assume that all, or at least almost all, who bear the name Christian follow the beliefs, teachings and practices of Jesus Christ. But the Bible tells us that not everyone who accepts the name of Christ is really a Christian.



Jesus predicted that some would claim His name but deny Him by their actions. He said they would "call Me 'Lord, Lord,'" but "not do the things which I say" (Luke 6:46). Christ and His apostles spoke of false prophets, false apostles and false brethren. They revealed that two opposing ostensibly Christian religions would emerge. One—the Church Jesus founded—would be led by God's Spirit and remain faithful to His teachings. The other—guided and influenced by a different spirit—would accept the name of Christ but twist His teachings to create a convincing counterfeit of the true Church of God.



Both would use Christ's name and claim His authority. Both would perform works that would outwardly appear good and right. Both would claim to be following Christ's true teachings. But only one would faithfully represent its founder, Jesus Christ. The other would capture the minds and hearts of humanity by attaching the name of Christ to biblically insupportable religious customs and doctrines that Jesus and His apostles neither practiced nor approved.

Answer 6

No, but the original Christians were Catholics.

Answer 7

The message of the gospel was brought to Rome by the Apostle Paul. Different sects of "The Way"... that is the original term for Christians used in the new testement developed around the city. I imagine eventually one of Romes leasers adopted this new religion.



Protestantism came about after centuries of rule by Rome and the Catholic church across Europe, when Martin Luther nailed is theses on the door of a church in Germany, citing reasons why the Catholic church's teachings were in opposition to the Bible.



The church in Rome had been abusing their power by demanding taxes from citizens that they claimed would "Get their loved ones out of purgatory." This teaching is not scriptural.



They used the money to build St. Peter's church in Rome.



If you want to know what will become of Rome and the catholic church, read Revelation chapter 17.



Look for symbols and colors,



and espescially the blatant reference to Rome... "the city on seven hills that rules over the kings of the earth."

Answer 8

I beleive Jesus was a Jew.

From there Christianity started at Pentecost 33ce their name? "Christians" from there broke off all the different churches. Spin your church from that time. Diotrophethes, whomever, those at that time whom already broke off from being "Christians" and were cast out formed their own ways and had men come after them in their thinking.



Those to stuck with what the Bible said in truth still today are Christian.

Answer 9

The original Christians are written about in the Book of Acts. They had no denominations, but all religious sects have their origin with them.

Answer 10

I am aware that many 'Christian' denominations at one point were rooted in Catholicism. However, the present teachings of Catholicism and scripture do not match. Unfortuneately many 'denomination reforms' (presently in USA) have not got us back to scriptural 'Christianity' either.

(I went thru most of RCIA (catholicism) a few years ago).

Answer 11

Basically. Many Catholic traditions were passed down from the early Christians. Some were added later. All religions "evolve", despite what many fundamentalists believe.



Many Catholics and mainstream Protestant churches get along. At my own wedding for instance, we had a priest and a Methodist pastor who happened to be friends marry me and my Methodist husband. It was nice.



Calm down King James!



Calm down King James!

Answer 12

No. There were many factions of Christ followers and believers. The two that solidified religious "organization" for lack of a better word, were the Catholics and the Gnostics. One believing that the church represented God on earth, the other that God was within us all. The Gnostics were less formal in their beliefs, also incorporating other religious ideas. Eventually the religion died off.

Answer 13

The combination "the Catholic Church" (he katholike ekklesia) is found for the first time in the letter of St. Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans, written about the year 110. The words run: "Wheresoever the bishop shall appear, there let the people be, even as where Jesus may be, there is the universal [katholike] Church." (Source: Catholic Encyclopedia)



Since he was obviously speaking of all followers of Christ -- Christians -- in that time, the church was always "catholic".

Answer 14

The first Christians all believed what would be called fundamentalist doctrine today. Catholicism didn't exist for 300 years later.

Answer 15

Historically the Catholic Church can trace its roots to Peter the Apostle. The reason division came about is simple. Humans disagree and do not get along, the church is no different. The adversary would want it so, because in division we fight amongst one another and miss the teaching of Jesus to love one another.

Answer 16

they began in the third century (200 years after the last book of the bible as a mix between truly christianity and Romans beliefs..and inserted pagan custom like Christmas..for example to christianity..

Answer 17

Catholics are the original sect of Christianity.



Catholics= Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians

Answer 18

The Jews of Jesus time were actually the "original Christians"

Answer 19

one should not be so western minded when discussing Christianity [ Catholic, Protestant etc] one should be mindful of the Greek, Russian and many other Orthodox religions which also accept Christ as the Son of God

Answer 20

Yes, Protestantism broke away from Catholicism. They were protesting against the flaws of the Catholic church, hence the name "Protest-ant".

Answer 21

Catholics invented the entire religion.



It is Roman in origin, and was used to keep pagan tribes in line, as the Roman empire conquered them.

Answer 22

the catholic church was founded by Jesus Christ himself so I would guess. The only reason they fight is because Kind Henery the 5th or 8th can't remember wanted to get divorced and re-married but the pope wouldn't let him so he founded the Church of England which began the whole thing

Answer 23

Yes dear, the only true genuine according to some.

All others are heretics or so they say.

This does make the "I am saved" crunch of born again sort of amusing, technically speaking, since heretics are damned 'per se'...

Answer 24

Yes. Protestantism arose when the Catholic Church was corrupt, and it needed something to bring it back in line.

Answer 25

I dont mean to offend anyone but Catholics are not "the original christians".True religion was suppressed for hundreds of years and is today to a certain extent.Dont listen to me,study church history from someone with other than a catholic viewpoint.Even the early catholic bishops will agree they are not origional.36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, what seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), where dwellest thou?

39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They come and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

40 One of the two which heard John, speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him. We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me

44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man here is the beginning and origon of the church.Of course, we could quote at great length from many Baptists, under this chapter’s heading. But we confine ourselves to the following:



Charles H Spurgeon, a name that needs no introduction, stated:



We believe that the Baptists are the original Christians. We did not commence our existence at the reformation, we were reformers before Luther or Calvin were born; we never come from the Church of Rome, for we were never in it, but we have an unbroken line up to the apostles themselves. We have always existed from the very days of Christ, and our principles, sometimes veiled and forgotten, like a river which may travel underground for a little season, have always had honest and holy adherents. Persecuted alike by Romanists and Protestants of almost every sect, yet there has never existed a Government holding Baptist principles which persecuted others; nor, I believe, any body of Baptists ever held it to be right to put the consciences of others under the control of man. We have ever been ready to suffer, as our martyrologies will prove, but we are not ready to accept any help from the State, to prostitute the purity of the Bride of Christ to any alliance with Government, and we will never make the Church, although the Queen, the despot over the consciences of men. (From The New Park Street Pulpit, Volume VII, page 225).

Answer 26

Galations 3:27-28



For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

.

Answer 27

yes the catholic church was the first true christian church. all protestant churches protested against the catholic church

Answer 28

I wouldn't say we are the original but we were the first Christians.

Answer 29

Oh gee I know Catholics are not saved Christians



The only way to be a Christian and be saved, and go to heaven and not eternal hell, is by believing that Jesus, who is God, died for our sins on the cross and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). It is impossible to lose salvation (1 John 5:13).



From the enlightening posts of Chris



But as Catholics

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary , and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen



So I think Chris just called himself a liar



Then you say Catholics teach works for salvation. All false gospels of works lead to eternal hell (Galatians 1:6-9). But you neglect to say that the Catholic Church also teaches you need Grace and Faith as well not just works



Oh yea Catholics do those unbiblical works such as in Mathew



He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.' Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?' He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Matthew 25:33-46

Seems like Jesus said the opposite and wanted works performed.

And condemned people like your self to hell for not doing them



so I guess Catholics lost the salvation you say they couldn’t loose and that because by believing in Jesus who is God, died for our sins on the cross and rose again . Are going to eternal Hell . And Mathew is not biblical along with every other scripture and verse that deals with works and salvation .



But your (Chris) are saved because you’re a habitual liar







Source(s):

Evodius was the first Bishop of Antioch, and he is credited with being the first person to call the followers of Christ, "Christians", as shown in Acts 11:26. See Eusebius, book 3, chapter 22.

Saint Ignatius (35-107), the second Bishop of Antioch wrote a letter to the Smyrneans in 107 A.D..

In this letter is recorded the first known use of the words "Catholic Church"...

Paragraph #8

"You must all follow the lead of the bishop, as Jesus Christ followed that of the Father; follow the presbytery as you would the Apostles; reverence the deacons as you would God's commandment. Let no one do anything touching the Church, apart from the bishop. Let that celebration of the Eucharist be considered valid which is held under the bishop or anyone to whom he has committed it. Where the bishop appears, there let the people be, just as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not permitted without authorization from the bishop either to baptize or to hold an agape; but whatever he approves is also pleasing to God. Thus everything you do will be proof against danger and valid."



Just a little bit before Constantine Id say



Catholics didn't write the Bible. Humm I guess you never herd of St.

Augustine or St. Jerome



Anyone that isn't a Christian, can't discern true from false. Your own words Chris I guess your not a Christian.





For those who spread lies about the Catholic Church: their ignorance is their lack of knowledge, their stupidity is their wisdom, and their truth is falsehood

In attacking the Catholic Church, Protestants sever their own roots

No protestant should quote Scripture at all, for he has no means of knowing which books are inspired; Unless of course, he wants to accept the authority of the Catholic Church for that