First Catholic Church in the World?

Question

Can anyone tell me what was the name of the First Catholic Curch in the world, where it was, and who built it?

Thanks

Answer 1

Christ appointed the Apostle Peter to be the first of all the Apostles and to be the visible Head of the whole Catholic Church, by appointing him immediately and personally to the primacy of jurisdiction.
According to Christ's ordinance, Peter is to have successors in his Primacy over the whole Catholic Church and for all time.

wheee. hope that helps.

Answer 2

*Is Catholic*

A Church is typically defined as wherever a bishop consecrates a valid Eucharist.

The first Eucharist was conducted by Christ, who is the High Priest, in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. This was the meeting place and site of liturgical activities while the risen Christ was still on Earth. It is also the place of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. It became the seat of the Church in Jerusalem under James.

The location of the Upper Room is known. It is possibly the house that belonged to the parents of Mark the Evangelist. Here is the location, or approximate location of a Church that now stands on the grounds of the Upper Room.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-last-supper-room.htm

Answer 3

The upper room where Jesus celebrated the first Eucharist and later the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles.

The Church has referred to itself as the “Catholic Church” at least since 107 AD (about 10 years after the last book of the New Testament was written), when the term appears in the Letter of St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Smyrnaeans:

"Wherever the bishop appear, there let the multitude be; even as wherever Christ Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church."

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-smyrnaeans-hoole.html

We do not know how long they had been using the term "Catholic" before it was included in this letter.

All of this was long before the Council of Nicea and the Nicene Creed from 325 A.D. which states, "We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church."

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

Technically the Nicean Council was the foundation of the Modern Church. If you're speaking of the Organization then that's the birth of the Church. As far as the first building to actually represent Catholicism, then technically it was the chapel that Emperor Constantine prayed in after the formal establishment of the church.

I will ring your doorbell and run away!!!

Answer 5

When the Church was first founded, it met in people's homes. I'm guessing it would be impossible to pin down the first building specifically designated for that purpose.

Answer 6

In the upper room, where Christ instituted the eucharit.

Now some words for Israel who posted as answer above:

Please do not be an idiot driven by hatred to the true body of Christ! Your answer has nothing to do with the question! so I´ll address some of your absurd points

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
The Catholic Church does not call itself "Roman Catholic". That name was given by the Anglicans after they separated following Henry VIII lusty desires, but the term has become so popular in English speaking countries (almost exclusively) that even some naive and ignorant catholics call themselves "Roman Catholics" so it is not a pejorative term any more even though the Church calls itself only "Catholic".

The term "Roman Catholic" would rightfully apply only to the Catholics who live in Rome and most of the 1.1 billion Catholics do not live there. Don´t you know that?

The Catholic Church actually consists of 21 churches that recognize the Pope as their leader, and have the same doctrine although there are minor differences in emphasis and in rituals, but not in substance. One of the rites is the latin or "Roman" rite, which is just a form of worship, not a different doctrine, so those who practice that rite can be called "Roman rite Catholics" and that would be acceptable.
Even though the Orthodox Church is not part of the Catholic Church (because they do not recognize the supremacy of the Pope), the theological differences with Catholicism are minimal. We both have seven sacraments, believe in baptismal regeneration, real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, we honor (not worship) Mary and the saints, etc. Together Catholics and Orthodoxs form almot 70 to 75% of Christianity. So if oneness of doctrine is an indication of who is right you should know who has the right doctrine, because "there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: 4 And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables." (2 Tim 4:3-4),
Notice "there shall be a time" is future . When did the "reformation" start? 1525 AD. That is way in the future for Paul in 60 AD!

Now that we mention Unity of Faith, consider that that is a far cry from the Protestant mess, which has created hundreds if not thousands of different denominations, with contradictory doctrines in essential matters, to the point that maybe even you do not know what your denomination truly believes. Here is an example:

•The Lutheran Church believes in baptismal regeneration, the Baptist church does not.
•The Lutheran Church believes that worship should be liturgical, the Assembly of God church does not.
•Lutheran, Anglican, Episcopalians and Methodists (to varying degrees) believe that Christ is present in the Eucharist. Other Protestants believe the Eucharist is just a symbol or that Christ presence is only spiritual
•The Assembly of God denomination uses instrumental music during worship, the Church of Christ denomination believes instrumental music to be unbiblical.
• Presbyterians believe in limited atonement and irresistible grace, Methodists reject the two beliefs.
•The Church of Christ denomination believes that baptism is necessary for salvation, the Baptist Church does not.
•The Church of Christ denomination believes that baptism should be administered by complete immersion only, Presbyterians believe pouring is acceptable.
•Methodists believe in the Trinity, Oneness Pentecostals do not.
•Lutherans affirm the fact that Mary remained a virgin throughout her life, Baptists reject this belief and say that Mary had other children.
•The Methodist church accepts female ministers, while the Baptist church rejects female ministers as unbiblical.
•Anglican, Episcopalians, Lutherans and Methodists baptize infants, Pentecostals and Baptists believe infant baptism to be invalid
•The Baptist Church teaches that once a person is saved, he is always saved and can not fall from grace. The Church of Christ rejects this teaching as unscriptural

Maybe you can find your "church" in the partial list that follows, who believe different things from one another:

Adventists
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Anabaptists
Anglican
Assemblies of God
Baptists
Calvinism
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Christian Reformed Church
Christian Science
Church of God
Church of Ireland
Church of Scotland
Church of the Brethren
Church of the Nazarene
Churches of Christ
Churches of God in North America (General Eldership)
Congregationalism
Disciples of Christ
Episcopal Church
Evangelical and Reformed Church
Evangelical Synod of North America
Evangelical United Brethren Church
Free Church of Scotland
Free Methodist Church of North America
Harmony Society
Holiness churches
Hutterian Brethren
Jehovah's Witnesses
Lollards
Lutheranism
Lutheranism - Pietism
Methodism
Moravian Church
Mormonism
Nonconformists
Pentecostal Churches
Pietism
Plymouth Brethren
Presbyterianism
Primitive Methodism
Quakers
Ranters
Reformed Church in America
Reformed Churches
Roundheads
Shakers
Society of Friends
Socinianism
Swedenborgianism
Unitarianism
United Brethren in Christ
United Church of Canada
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
Universalism

Or maybe you are a member of one of the hundreds of "non-denominational" denomination (what an oximoron!)

Remember, He is not the God of disorder (1 Cor. 14:33)

Division is against the Bible:

•Jn. 10:16 - there shall be one flock and one shepherd
•Jn. 17:20-21 - I pray ... for those who will believe in me ... that they may all be one
•1 Cor. 1:10 - I urge that there be no divisions among you

Where in protestantism is the unity that Christ prayed the Father for?

Now think:
-does your church-sect-denomination have the fullness of thuth?.
-based on what do you believe that?
-On the Bible alone interpreted by you, "inspired" by the HS?
-If that is your claim, how do you refute other protestants who have different doctrines and claim the same inspiration?

BROTHERS OF JESUS
Regarding the "brothers" of Jesus, has your hatred blinded you so you do not see the scripture? Read again Gal. 1:19 - But I did not see the other apostles, except James the brother of the Lord", so James is identified as one of the apostles, but in the list of apostles in Mt. 10:3 the two James that are apostles are sons of Zeebedee and Alpheus, not of Joseph, the father of Jesus.
.
You want to use the Bible?: let´s see.
•Gen. 14:14 - Lot, Abraham's nephew (Gen 11:26-28), is called Abraham's brother.
•Gen. 29:15 - Laban, Jacob's uncle, calls Jacob his "brother" (KJV).
•Mt. 10:3 - James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus - Note that there are two apostles named James (also Act.1:13) and none is son of Joseph
•Mt. 27:55-56 - There were many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee
•Mk. 3:18 - And Andrew and Philip, and Bartholomew and Matthew, and Thomas and James of Alpheus, and Thaddeus and Simon the Cananean
•Mk. 15:40 - There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses, and Salome
•Mk. 15:47 - Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where he was laid
•Lk 6:15 - Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon who is called Zelotes,
•Jn. 19:25 - Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala - Mary the wife of Clopas (Cleophas, who may also be Alpheus) and "sister" of the Virgin Mary is the mother of James and Joseph (or Joses) - (Mt. 27:56; Mk. 15:40) - who are called the "brothers of Jesus" (Mk. 6:3)
•Jn. 19:26-27 - Jesus gives care of Mary to John , not one of his "brothers."
•Act. 1:12-15 - the apostles, Mary, "some women" and Jesus' "brothers" number about 120. That is a lot of "brothers.
•Act. 1:13 - And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James of Alpheus and Simon Zelotes and Jude the brother of James

No one other than Jesus is identified as son of Mary in the Bible

Regarding Eusebius notice that he says "James was the SO CALLED brother of the Lord because HE WAS ALSO CALLED the son of Joseph"- Did he say he was son of Mary also?

He "WAS CALLED", not "WAS". In those times all the members of the tribes were called "brothers" because in hebrew and aramaic the word "cousin" does not exist

Answer 7

This may be it:
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=17474

Answer 8

Origins of the Roman Catholic Church

1 Tim. 3:15
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Many Catholics are deceived into believing that this scripture is speaking of the “Roman” Catholic Church. Thus they are bound to remain in a church that has fallen into paganism and false doctrine, believing that it “IS THE CHURCH OF GOD”!


Catholic verses “Roman” Catholic

The term “Church” in scripture does not mean “the Roman Catholic Church”. The word “church” means “assembly, meeting, a calling out, a religious congregation” (Strongs #1577 “ekklesia”) When a scripture verse is quoted pertaining to the “church”, Catholics are taught that the reference to "the church" means the "Roman Catholic Church"! This is not true!

The term “Catholic,” was not the name of a denominational group in the early church days, and had no resemblance to the Roman Catholic church of today.

The word “Catholic,” was a term that meant “Universal or General”. Its implication was that of inclusion of any and all Christian church's as a whole from each and every city where a Christian church was alive.

Here is its definition by Webster's Dictionary (1828 edition)

Catholic 1. Universal or general; as the Catholic church. Originally this epithet was given to the Christian church in general, but is now appropriated to the Romish church, and in strictness there is no Catholic church, or universal Christian communion. The epithet is sometimes set in opposition to heretic, sectary or schismatic.

Catholic epistles, the epistles of the apostles which are addressed to all the faithful, and not to a particular church.


The term was used to identify all of the Christian churches together. In the early church days, each church was identified by its location. For example, "the church of Ephesus, the church of Smyrna, the church of Pergamos" ect. (Rev. 2:1, 8, 12). You will also note how the church's were addressed by name at the beginning of the epistles such as “the saints…at Philippi (Phil.1:1), the saints at Colosse (Col. 1:1), the church of the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 1:1).

The “Catholic” church, at that time, was not a “head church” that ruled over the whole church.


But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (1 Cor. 11:3)

The Biblical head of man, is Christ himself, not a representative of Christ!

Today, as it was in the beginning, the true “Catholic” church, is not the “Roman Catholic” denomination, but rather it is the WHOLE Christian church of “born again” - “saved” Christians who profess Jesus Christ as their Lord no matter what denominational group they belong to. The True “Catholic" Church has existed within and apart from the “Roman” Catholic Church thoughout the past 2,000 years.

The TRUE “Catholic” Church are those whom have repented of their sins, and surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ as Lord. Just because the “Roman Catholic” church holds the word “Catholic” within its denomination name, does not make it the SAME “Catholic” church of the writings of the early church fathers and places this group in the rebuke made by Paul when he wrote:

1 Cor. 1:10-12
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. [11] For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. [12] Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

The "Roman Catholic Church" is of those who say "I am of Cephas (Peter)"!



Bishops and Popes

The word "Pope" means "Papa" or "Father"! They even call him "Holy Father"! The Apostles were careful not to take this honor upon themselves in respect to the words of Jesus Christ:

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Matthew 23:9

The ONLY Holy Father, is God the Father!

While Catholics today are taught to bow to the Pope, and kiss his hand, we see a totally different response by the Apostles. When the people of Lycaonia came to honor Paul and Barnabas for healing a man, they quickly refused it....

Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, [15] And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: (Acts 14:14-15)

And when John bowed to worship an angel, he too was corrected NOT to do such a thing:

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Rev. 19:10

Today, the Bishop of Rome has become "Holy Father", "infallable", the "Vicar of Christ" claiming to be "Christ on earth", receiving the honor and glory due to God alone! The apostles and angels refused to receive the glory that todays Pope gladly receives!

There were NO Popes in the origin of the church, nor is a Pope ever commissioned in the scriptures, although the term Bishop is (1 Tim. 3:1; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 2:25). The Bishop was an overseer, watching over the church, not ruling it. The earliest Bishop recorded, is James the Just, the brother of Jesus Christ! He was the Bishop of Jerusalem, and in Acts chapter 15, he was the decision maker on the issue of the requirements that were imposed upon the newly converted Gentiles.

Eusibius writes that James, the Brother of Jesus, “was the first to receive the episcopate of the church at Jerusalem. Clement, in the Sixth Book of his Institutions, represents it thus: `Peter, James and John after the ascension of our Saviour, though they had been perferred by our Lord, did NOT contend for the honour, BUT CHOSE JAMES THE JUST AS BISHOP OF JERUSALEM. (Eusibeus' Ecclesiastical History, Pg 49, Bk. 2 Chapt. I)

As a sidenote about James being the brother of Jesus Christ, I quote:
"But I saw none of the other apostles except JAMES, THE LORD'S BROTHER" Apostle Paul Gal. 1:19

And again, Eusibeus Pamphilus (265-339 AD) in "Ecclesiastical History" identifies James as, and I quote, "the brother of our Lord because he is also called the son of Joseph the esteemed Father of Christ." (Pg 48 Bk. II Chap. 1)

The reason the Roman Catholic church needed to implicate Peter as the first pope, was to identify him with Matthew 16:18
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Although early church fathers identify that the "rock" on which the church was built, was Jesus Christ himself, and the confession of faith by which Peter declared his belief in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, the church has today changed this "rock" to represent Peter himself. So then, instead of Jesus as being the rock by which the church is built, the Church now declares that Peter, a created man, is the rock!

1 Cor. 10:4 ..... and that Rock was Christ.

While each city had its own Bishop and succession of Bishops who were to follow, it was the church in Rome that eventually chose to appoint itself as the sole ruler over the whole church, even taking charge over the other Bishops! Therefore, the scripture in Matthew 16:18 later became important for the church in Rome to designate itself as master over the entire church! Thus, the truth that James was the first Bishop over the first church in Jerusalem, was lost to the appointment of Peter in Rome.

The truth is, the early church, up to about 300-400AD, had its own Bishop in each city overseeing each church, all of equal authority, none being a superior "ruler" over the other. According to Eusibeus, Peter, along with Paul, were BOTH considered “Bishops” of Rome, as they were the first to evangelize the city and win souls to Jesus Christ in that city and both of them guided the newly founded church there. They are recorded in Eusibeus's writings as Bishops of Rome, not as a Pope.

When a doctrinal issue arose in the early Christian church, these Bishops of each city gathered together to decide the truth or error of the issue, and would return to their home churches and teach this to the saints of the city. You can read of such an account in Eusibeus' Eccalesiatical History when the heresy of Arius was presented. (Arius declared that Jesus was "created by God", and thus Jesus was NOT God. This heresy was rejected by the 300 Bishops that gathered together to deal with the issue. This heresy has been renewed today in the cult of the Jehovah's Witnesses)

“Beginning with Leo I's accession to the episcipal throne in 440, the Roman bishop began to claim his supremacy over the other bishops.” “His abilities won him the name “great.” He made much use of the title papas from which our word “pope” is derived.”
(Christianity through the Centuries, pg. 157, Earle E. Cairnes, Academie Books, Zondervan Publishing House)


Origin and rise of the “Roman” Catholic Church

In the early church of the first 300 years, the Christians were forced into hiding from persecution by wicked emperors. When Constantine conquered Rome, and the church was free to worship without persecution, an established church was formed. Constantine basically “used” the Church as a springboard for Political power as well as Religious power and by all practical purposes, the “Roman Catholic Church” was the “first” denomination, and its founder was Constantine. At this time, the government stepped in and began to interfere with spiritual matters and the false doctrines of the “Roman Catholic Church” began to thrive.

The “TRUE” Church of “born again” Christians continued to exist, but now they were under the “covering” of the Roman Catholic Church who stepped up as a Political power, as well as the head of the Church exercising power over the souls of the Sheep of God, and eventually, became the murderers of many whom God sent to reform the church to its original virginity.

Matthew 23:25-35
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. [26] Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. [27] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. [28] Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. [29] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, [30] And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. [31] Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. [32] Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. [33] Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
[34] Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [35] That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

(It is an intersting note that the Roman Catholic church burned Joan of Arc on the stake as a heretic, and 500 years later, named her a Saint, fulfilling the above words of Jesus Christ as a witness against the rulers of this church!)

A history of the persecutions of Christians by the Roman rulers, and then by the Roman Catholic Church can be read in Fox's Book of Martyrs.

The formation of the newly established church by Constantine, was broken into two parts. The Western church, which is known today as the Roman Catholic Church, and the Eastern Church, which is known today as the Greek Orthodox Church, which had its headquarters in Constantinople where Constantine later moved. So the earliest form of a “denomination,” began with Constantine as creator. The first two denominations formed where the Roman Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church, both of which were birthed in the fourth century (300-400 AD)! Although the two church's eventually parted ways, they were in agreement at their beginnings.

Constantine became emperor and declared himself “the representation of God on earth,” which was later to become the term used by the Popes, and he made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire. (pg. 256 The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church, Regency Reference Library, Zondervan Publishing House)

Constantine held the title of “Pontifex Maximus” until his death. (Christianity through the Centuries, pg 124)

This is when the church began to formulate a single man as the head of the church, which is now known as “Pope”. This gave the head of the Church political and religious power. The Popes of that day excelled in power so much that they were nearly “Emperors,” having power over all men politically and theologically.

At this time, there were two heads of the church! One over the Greek (Eastern) Church, where the Emperor was Pope and one over the Roman (Western) Church, where the Pope was the Emperor!

The first schism took place in 1054 AD when the Greek Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic church began to disagree on various doctrines. As the Roman Catholic church began allowing “doctrines of Pagans” to infiltrate the church, the Greek Orthodox Church of the East separated itself from the Roman Catholic Church of the West.

The Roman Catholic Church has, through the years, created new doctrines, which are in disagreement with the Word of God. This gave rise to the great “Inquisition” of the 1200's. As people would read the New Testament and find the disagreements with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, the Church responded by giving the Synod of Toulouse in 1229, which forbade laymen the use of vernacular translations of the Bible. Eventually, they began the “inquisition,” a secret ecclesiastical court that used torture to punish heretics and turned them over to the state for punishment in the form of loss of property or burning at the stake. (Thus multiplying the rebuke of Jesus Christ quoted above in Matthew 23:25-35)

In 1233, Pope Gregory IX assumed control of the “inquisition” and commissioned the Dominicans to punish the heretics.

Laymen who attempted to reinstate the Bible as its authority were balked and therefore set up movements outside of the Roman Catholic Church in order to practice Christianity according to the Bible.

Wycliffe translated the Bible into English in 1384 and made it available to the laymen. Wycliffe proclaimed that the writings of the Bible was our authority, not the Pope. He opposed the dogma of “transubstantiation” where the Roman Catholic Church and its priests claim to have power over salvation by withholding the Eucharist from individuals. This doctrine taught that only the priest can change the substance of Bread and Wine into the body and blood of Christ. Thus, the church's heresy gave the idea that, by withholding the Eucharistic substance from the parishioner, the Church can withhold an individual's salvation.

In London in 1382, the Roman Catholic church condemned Wycliffe's opposition to the dogma of Transubstantiation and his writings that declared that the Bible, not the Pope, was our authority. Wycliffe's opposition obviously undermined the church's growing power to control the souls of most Europeans who were now captive to Roman Catholic control and bowed to their every demand. All who held to Wycliffe's doctrine were punished by death.

Oh how very far the Roman Catholic church had fallen from being a servant, to exercising lordship over the souls of men, and murdering the righteous who believed God's Word, contrary to the following words of Jesus Christ:

Matthew 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Matthew 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Mark 10:42-43 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. [43] But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:


One of those who held to Wycliffe's doctrine, was John Hus, who was burned at the stake in 1415 when he refused to confess the doctrine of Transubstantiation. His followers started a group, which is still known today as the Moravian Church.

A Dominican Monk named Savonarola, also tried to reform the church from within, but his preaching against the evil life of the pope, resulted in his death by hanging in 1498.

So it was after the attempts of the Greek Orthodox Church, the inquisition martyrs, Wycliffe, Hus, Savonarola, and many others who lost their lives in an attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church of its false doctrines and heresies, that Martin Luther took stage.

As the true gospel message of the power of Jesus Christ to completely forgive all of our sins by his death on the cross began to fade away from the Roman Catholic doctrine, the Roman church began to offer "indulgences" which is a price paid by the sinner, in order to have his or her sins forgiven!

The first indulgences that involved absolving all sin were introduced in the 11th centuary, perhaps initially by Pope Urban II in 1095. In 1517, Pope Leo X offered indulgences for those who gave alms to rebuild St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, a postition that critics took on the appearance of "selling indulgences." The aggressive marketing practices of Johann Tetzel in promoting this cause provoked Martin Luther to write his 95 theses, protesting what he saw as the purchase and sale of salvation. From this controversy the Protestant Reformation was launched. (Wikipedia)


Up to this point in time, the TRUE Christian church of "born again" believers were within Roman Catholic church, being persecuted and merchandised by its Biships and priests. The reformation opened the door for these believers to exit the Roman Catholic church to worship the living God freely according to the Bible! The Roman Catholic church had become a monster; ruling over, robbing and killing the Christian worshippers who desired to be close to Jesus and trust his living words of life and liberty!

The tragic holocaust of the Roman Catholic Church against its own sheep has caused such a great exodus of Christians to form other groups outside of their boundry where they could freely worship the Living God. This mass exodus has humbled the Catholic church today to a powerless shell of rituals and traditions. Still attempting to cling to the remaining souls they have in bondage to heresy, they no longer have the political power to (openly and publicly) murder those who oppose it and will one day stand on trial in the court room of the righteous judge, Jesus Christ the King! Instead, they continue to deceive their remaining followers with the threat of losing their salvation if they leave the Roman Catholic Church. They belittle God's Word and make every excuse why it is OK to disobey God's Word because of "tradition!"

Matthew 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

* As a footnote to the above paragraph, I have a good friend in Ireland whom is a street preacher like myself. I met him while carrying the cross there in 2000. A Romans Catholic priest tried to have him murdered on two occassions and has attempted to take his children away from him and his wife! The Story

They stand on statements such as "We were the FIRST church started by Peter!" And with like reasonings, they continue to transgress the commanments of God by their traditions!

Anyone who is in bondage to the Roman Catholic Church, and has the belief that it is the same church founded by Christ, is simply deceived. A look at history, will show you how the Israelites, in like manner, trusted in their religion to save them. When Jesus came, it was these religious people, who held to their traditions, that nailed Jesus to the cross. Like the people of Israel throughout history, the Roman Catholic church has become the modern day Pharisees holding to dead religion and rituals of the New Testament church and refuse to let the sheep of God to enter into His kingdom! Like the Pharisees of the Jewish religion, they have become too prideful and too far indoctrinated into their heresies, to humble themselves, repent, and return to the truth of God's word for correction and instruction!

Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Matthew 16:6

Matthew 23:1-15
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, [2] Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: [3] All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. [4] For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. [5] But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, [6] And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, [7] And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. [8] But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. [9] And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. [10] Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. [11] But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. [12] And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
[13] But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. [14] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. [15] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. ...


You may want to read the rest of Matthew chapter 23 for more charges against the priests and "Masters" of the Roman Catholic Church!




The TRUE “Catholic” Church still exists today!


The confession of faith by Saint Irenaus around 200 AD, which I will post at the end of this study, is the confession of faith by which every believer, whom has turned his life over to Jesus Christ, is a part of the original “Catholic” Church. So every believer, that is “born again” by the Holy Spirit by faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance from sin, is a child of God and heaven bound, and a true member of the original “Catholic”, or "Universal" Church, no matter which denomination they choose to worship in.

The passage from death to life, is through Jesus Christ our Lord, not the door of a church denomination. Jesus said:

John 10:9
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 3:15-16
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

When people begin to claim that the passage to eternal life is through their own denomination or group, they are deceived. We are all accountable to search the scriptures independently and through prayer and seeking the face of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are to find the truth. Simply trusting your denomination to be infallible and perfect, is immaturity and ignorance.

1 John 2:27
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Although many denominations disagree on many minor issues which has separated them, the key doctrine required for a man to pass from death to life, is the correct belief on the person of Jesus Christ, that he is Lord and GOD (John 20:28-29) and our relationship with him through repentance from sin and surrendering our lives to Him as obedient children of God.

Those who reject the deity of Jesus Christ, the born again message of salvation through Jesus alone by repentance from sin and submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and have another method of salvation, are “cults” and “false religions” and, in the end, will be damned to eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire!

John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 8:24, 58
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Hope this helps...