Catholicism is not a different religion it's just called catholicism to signify it from the others but the

Question

church that Jesus started was the church which became universal being catholicism the universal church it is not a different religion it is the church why is that so hard to understand? ... and jews were the first christians but the first christians weren't jews (why do people claim this.) The first christians who were jews were those who didn't agree with the new covenant (ebonites, nazarenes) the true church is the church the church is universal the church is catholic ... yes complicated ... does anyone not agree with me?

Answer 1

"true church is the church the church is universal the church is catholic"?

...okay, i'm totally lost.

i understand that the word 'catholic' means 'universal' but that's all that I understood from what you said.

edit: Why can't you explain it as simply as irish_giant? YES, before the Reformation, 'Christian' and 'Catholic' were the same.

Answer 2

Josie,

I think we need to take a look at the words you are using in context:

Catholic-Latin for universal. Catholicism was a name given to "Christians" once the Church's dogma was established (3rd-5th centuries). They believed it to be the one true Church of Christ. At the time, this DID include what is known as Eastern Orthodox until the split in the 11th century. Today, the term Catholicism as the universal Church is a gross overstatement...especially since the practices of early Christianity can be traced back to Eastern Orthodoxy...not to Catholicism as Irish giant would have you believe. They have been using the same liturgical service since the fourth century.

Church-Greek for ekklesia, which is a term meaning assembly of believers or community of believers. A Church is nothing more than a group of worshipers who are in a specific location for the common purpose of worship to Christ. So when the bible speaks of Church...they are talking about the followers of Christ...not a specific entity.

With this in mind, we can now answer your question...yes, the first Christians were Jews. In fact, those early followers of Jesus considered themselves Jewish, not Christian.

BTW, Irish giant...I'm a little disappointed in you not answering my emails about Islam...you keep making silly statements about Islam without any sort of evidence to support your statement. Hatred for a religion is one thing, but to rewrite history the way you see fit and then tell others how wrong they when you are in the wrong is ridiculous. I feel sorry for those individuals who take you seriously in any answer you provide.

Answer 3

Christianity is the "universal" church amongst Christians, not Catholicism. For example, Catholics believe that God speaks through the Pope and worship the Virgin Mary, Protestants do not. Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Baptists, Anglicans, born-agains, Episcopalians, Jehovah's Witnesses and Muslims all believe in Christ as a prophet. This is about the only thing universal amongst them besides a belief in God. Beliefs differ hugely among different aspects of the same faith. Christianity constitutes a belief in God and the son of God, so in that sense, yes, all of the above (except Islam) are the same religion.

All the best.

*EDIT* - Wow. I can understand how you felt now about hostility. If you're so tired of "ignorance", Irish Giant, then why not correct me without such animosity? It is this kind of anger that keeps people 'ignorant'. Admittedly, I am going by what a Catholic friend told me and I surely never meant for it to insult or infuriate you.

By the way, I am agnostic.

Answer 4

It took awhile (lol), but you are absolutely right! The Catholic Church is the universal church. We were synonomous with simply being Christian until the Reformation, when all these other denominations popped up for one reason or another.

God Bless!


EDIT: Re: Me The Zygote. How wrong you are!!! We as Catholics do NOT worship, the Pope, Mary, or ANYTHING ELSE EXCEPT GOD!! I get so sick and tired of ignorance. It is a sin to worship anything except God alone (see 1st Commandment).
The Pope is just a man. Mary, while very special to us (as she should be to all Christians) is still 100% human. Asking her or anyone else to pray for us is no different than having a prayer chain at any church (something most churches have).

Answer 5

I can't agree with you because your "question" makes no sense. Catholocism and mormonism and Baptists and Methodists and all other denominations are under the rubric of Christianity, but they all have differing interpretations of the gospel, and have different ideas of salvation, and are related, but different religions. All Christian in that they believe in Christ, but they are differing churches, and thus different religions in the family of Christianity.

Answer 6

Christianity is not a universal title. Christianity is a way of life.

Answer 7

The Catholic church is a cult, it is the woman that rides the beast in the book of revelation

Read Dave Hunt's book : The Woman That Rides The Beast"

Answer 8

Josie,
I am sorry but I must disagree with you. The Catholic Church is NOT following the BIBLE as it was written and it is certainly not doing what we are told to do in the Bible. The Bible gives us a number of things that we are told to do that Catholics are NOT doing. The term "Father" is not to be used yet you use it to denote a religious leader in your church. NONE but GOD are to be called "Father". We are told that we are to meet on the first day of the week to break bread and to give as we have been prospered. Yet, if you are Catholic you may attend services whenever you want to. This is NOT what the Bible says. The term Catholic is not found in the Bible yet that name is used to denote your church. We are told in the scriptures that to become a Christian:
1. We must HEAR GOD’s WORD. - Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2. We are told to BELIEVE. - To the Prison guard in Acts 16:31 Paul and Silas said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."
3. We must REPENT (turn from) of our sins. - Acts 17:30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.
4. We are told to CONFESS CHRIST before men. - Matthew 10:32 "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
5. We are to enter the waters and BE BAPTIZED. - Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
6. We are told to CONTINUE TO BE FAITHFUL until death. - Revelation 2:10b Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Send me a note if you have questions. I am anxious to hear from you. Have a Great day.
Eds

Answer 9

I agree totally and thank you