2007-10-03 13:50:55 · 10 answers · asked by peace 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Church founded by Jesus Christ.
Jesus said:
"thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18, KJV)
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (John 17:20-23, KJV)
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:19-20, KJV).
Jesus established only one church, the one He founded on Peter, the rock. He prayed that all His followers would be one, and He promised that He would be with His Church until the end of the world. This was recognized by Saint Paul when he wrote:
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit -- just as you were called to one hope when you were called -- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:3-6, NIV).
One faith means one set of beliefs, one set of doctrines; doctrines which never change. There is only one Catholic Church but there are over 26,000 Protestant denominations today; each separated from the other by differing doctrines. Each of these denominations can be traced back to a single individual who was not Saint Peter or one of the apostles.
Every Christian church possesses some of the truths revealed by our Lord but only the Catholic Church can trace its origins all the way back to Jesus and Saint Peter through the rite of ordination; the laying on of hands and passing on of episcopal responsibility and authority. Because only the Catholic Church can be traced all the way back to Jesus, only the Catholic Church can be said to possess all the revealed truth. After all, Jesus founded the Church, promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against it (which means that it would be perpetual and not teach error), and promised to be with it until the end of time. Not at the end of time, but continually until the end of time. Either the Catholic Church was and is the one true Church, or the Bible is wrong, or Jesus lied.
2007-10-03 13:54:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 4⤋
The mission of the Catholic Church is to proclaim and establish the Kingdom of God begun by Jesus Christ among all peoples.
A summary of Catholic beliefs is contained in the Nicene Creed (from the year 325):
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 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.
For a complete description of what Catholics believe, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm
With love in Christ.
2007-10-04 23:23:26 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is an easy one.
The Catholic Church is the one true Church founded by Jesus Christ.
2007-10-03 21:01:13 · answer #3 · answered by Faustina 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The church founded by Jesus Christ in 33 AD
2007-10-03 21:00:52 · answer #4 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Catholics were the fist Christians--they compiled the New Testament.
2007-10-03 20:55:29 · answer #5 · answered by huffyb 6 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Something Catholics practice.
2007-10-03 20:54:00 · answer #6 · answered by Shinigami 7 · 1⤊ 5⤋
It's not a religion; it's a denomination of the christian religion.
2007-10-03 20:56:35 · answer #7 · answered by Dreamstuff Entity 6 · 0⤊ 6⤋
The first Christian religion which is just really a collection of mythology meant to control stupid people. Though they do have one added bonus... they aren't as pushy as any of the Protestants. I guess they learned their lesson.
2007-10-03 20:55:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 8⤋
Constantines version of Paganism.
2007-10-03 20:54:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 6⤋
A system of myths... just like all religions.
2007-10-03 20:53:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 6⤋