2007-09-30 03:08:24 · 14 answers · asked by Autumn 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Roman Catholicism is a Christian denomination. The name "Catholic Church" originated in 107 AD when Ignatius of Antioch used the phrase to describe Jesus' "Church.
Catholics adhere to the teachings of Jesus Christ who founded this Church. Acts 11,26 defines Christian an "adherent" of Christ. The word Catholic simply means the larger or universal church. The early church fathers were the first to use it. For example the epistles of James, Peter, John and Jude are referred to as the Catholic Epistles. So when we say the Catholic Church, we mean the universal Christian Church.
Anti-Catholics often suggest that Catholicism did not exist prior to the Edict of Milan, which was issued in 313 AD and made Christianity legal in the Roman Empire. With this, pagan influences began to contaminate the previously untainted Christian Church. In no time, various inventions adopted from paganism began to replace the gospel that had been once for all delivered to the saints. At least, that is the theory.
This accusation does not hold water because Jesus Christ promised to guide his Church till the end of the age.
"And so I tell you. Peter; you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven." - Matthew 16,18-20
"And teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28,20
"I have told you this while I am still with you, The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you". - John 14, 25
"When, however, the Spirit comes who reveals the truth about God, he will LEAD YOU INTO ALL TRUTH." - John 16,13
After making the above promises are you now saying that Jesus cannot be relied upon to keep his word?
Pagan Influence Fallacy
Opponents of the Church often attempt to discredit Catholicism by attempting to show similarities between it and the beliefs or practices of ancient paganism.
Ultimately, all attempts to prove Catholicism "pagan" fail. Catholic doctrines are neither borrowed from the mystery religions nor introduced from pagans after the conversion of Constantine. To make a charge of paganism stick, one must be able to show more than a similarity between something in the Church and something in the non-Christian world. One must be able to demonstrate a legitimate connection between the two, showing clearly that one is a result of the other, and that there is something wrong with the non-Christian item.
In the final analysis, nobody has been able to prove these things regarding a doctrine of the Catholic faith, or even its officially authorized practices. The charge of paganism just doesn’t work.
2007-09-30 04:17:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Catholicism and Christianity are no longer an identical faith.maximum individuals have an inclination to think of and say that they are an identical.Catholicism isn't the branch of Christianity.that's yet another faith.There are Christians,Roman Catholics, Independents, protestants, Orthodox and Anglicans.those are the 6 chief/important 'religions' that worship the Christian God or Jesus Christ or the two.i do no longer understand lots approximately different religions I basically understand approximately Catholicism.So it is not consumer-friendly to show out the genuine variations.
2016-10-10 01:22:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholics are Christians.
2007-09-30 03:15:45 · answer #3 · answered by Screwdriver 4 · 5⤊ 3⤋
Catholics are Christians and anyone else who believes in God.
2007-09-30 03:47:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There many differences b/w Catholics and Christians.
Catholics are reverse Christians and Christians are trying to follow the original teaching of Christ.
Christians are not restored because they are not commanded to restored the original teaching. They are protestant because they protest the Catholics about the reverse teaching from original teaching of Christ.
Catholics believed on saints that will help them to convince God to get their salvation. Most Christians believed that only salvation is through Christ.
Catholics practices is mixed with paganism. While Christians practices is based on what suited for them, by picking up pieces of the teaching in the Bible.
A lot more differences than be enumerated.
2007-09-30 03:39:43 · answer #5 · answered by oregonboy 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
All who accept Jesus and are baptized in the name of the Father,Son and Holy Spirit are Christian, the word Catholic simply means `Universal` or more accurately in Greek; ``Katholos` i.e, Kath=according to, Holos= the whole.
Here we see that the church founded on St.Peter was to be universal in it`s teachings of Christ and to spread the good news while also baptizing and forgiving sin.
The Protestant reformation however started off because of Luther declaring like Satan and Adam`` I will not serve``
Ever since then we have had a split in Christian unity and while Protestantism is by and large a schism it still retains enough to be Christian.
The universality of the church means that the teaching body of Christ cannot be divided and remain Katholos.
2007-09-30 03:20:43 · answer #6 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Catholics are christians. Check out wikipedia or the world book enyclopedia.
2007-09-30 03:16:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 3⤋
Catholics are Christians. Which other Christians do you refer to? The Maronites? The Coptics? Oh wait, they're at least as old as the Catholics as far as being Christian churches.
2007-09-30 03:12:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
The Catholic Religion taught by Rome is NOT consistent with the Bible. It is a false gospel and false religion.
For example:
Biblical Christianity says you are saved by faith and faith alone. Roman Catholicism says that anyone who believes such a thing should be anathema (condemned; kicked out) [source: Vatican II]
True Christianity says Jesus was born a virgin (Mary). Catholicism says Mary was also born sinless as is basically devine--having power to save. But Jesus is the only way to God according to the Bible.
God says He declares people "holy" (hagios in the Greek). Catholicism says they declare people "holy" (i.e. "saints", hagios in the Greek).
Jesus said He would build His church on Peter's confession of faith--"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God". Catholicism says Jesus built his church on the MAN Peter, who was the first "pope".
The Bibles says it is appointed once to die and then face judgment. Catholicism says there is a purgatory where you can PAY the Catholic church to pray to get someone out.
The list goes on and on.
2007-09-30 03:22:09 · answer #9 · answered by CapLee 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Catholics are Christians. Protestant Christians broke away from the Catholic church in the 1500's.
2007-09-30 03:14:00 · answer #10 · answered by t_rex_is_mad 6 · 5⤊ 4⤋