Is it possible that Christ's Church, the Catholic Church, fell into apostasy?

Question

Here is my commentary on this topic:



http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-S6YMuFYyaa9ESBoW5DFwEjL_HhqA

It seems that most of the people posting answers here put little or no trust in Christ's promises which explains to me why they are prey to false teachers and prophets.

Answer 1

NO.

The basic Protestant assumption is that the Roman Church fell into apostasy and the Reformers restored the true New Testament doctrines.

Luther invented a half dozen doctrines. I'm amazed at how much time Protestants spend talking circles around the flaws with the Sola Fide doctrine. The Catholic doctrine of justification solves all the problems.

The typical view of anti-Catholics is that the church fell into apostasy and the Reformers fixed it.

One problem with this view concerns identifying when the apostasy took place. Some say that it happened in the very first generation of the church after the last apostle died. This doesn't give much credit to Jesus’ and the Holy Spirit's ability to create a church.

Martin Luther indicated that the church got really corrupt about 300 years before his time but that it was somewhat corrupt even before that.

John Foxe in the book "Fox's Book of Martyrs" seems to place the apostasy at the time of the Waldenses at around 1000 A.D.

Some Protestants believe that their denomination is the true New Testament church and that it somehow survived as an underground church from the time of the apostles. Some Baptists think this. This is an absurd claim if you consider the doctrinal teachings of their so-called "true" church (more info).

I suspect that if Martin Luther were alive today that he would agree that his objections to the Roman Church have been fixed within the Catholic Church and its reforms. Yes, there were some abuses in his day but the church was in the process of reform even as he was in the process of founding the Protestant Reformation.

Non-traditional so-called Christian groups such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Jehovah's Witnesses typically claim that they are the true church which has been founded to "fix" the problems in the apostate church. They are usually founded by a single leader who claims to be a prophet of God and who received a vision from God. Of course, this vision contradicts the established traditional doctrines. Martin Luther seems to me to have something in common with these so-called prophets. He single-handedly derived the "true" doctrines and therefore corrected the so-called "false" doctrines which were then in place. He created a violent rift in the church of his day and had a radical, reactionary, and revolutionary mentally.

In my opinion, it was the Protestant Reformers who established a heretical and schismatic church. The existing Roman Church was in need of reform, but it was still the church that Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit established in the New Testament.

It is refreshing to now believe as a Catholic, that Christ's church has succeeded and that the church didn't fall into total apostasy immediately after the last apostle died. As I study church history in its proper context I am amazed at how God has used His church throughout history in spite of human weaknesses. Catholic theology is absolutely brilliant and her moral statements are incredible. It is easy to be Catholic. It is like coming home.

Answer 2

members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have faith Christ's church is an enduring gospel. it extremely is to not say that it might constantly be on earth. they suspect that because of the fact of human fallacies the church fell into apostasy. Greed in some, blunders in others. The church that Christ outfitted will by no skill fall with the aid of eternity, yet for some centuries it replaced into "lost" on earth.

Answer 3

It is more than possible. Christ's Church and the Catholic Church are two separate Church's. In an earlier post Pastor Billy slammed me as a fool with no love. And basically called me a false prophet.

But nothing could be farther from the truth. I encourage all of you to read the Bible. The Bible doesn't talk about the Catholic Church. It talks about Christ's Church.

The Catholic Church is based upon the teachings of men.

Matthew 15:9
And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
Matthew 15:8-10 (in Context)

Mark 7:7
And in vain they worship Me,Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
Mark 7:6-8 (in Context)

This message is delivered in absolute Love. If it makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck I recommend an immersion in the Bible for your answers.

http://www.godsmessageontheweb.com/

Answer 4

After reading Pastor Billy's response, a curious thought occurred to me. We Catholics endure so much bigotry and hatred here, yet why is it that I never see a baptist assailing a lutheran, or a Jehovah's Witness pounding an Anglican? Each of these different denominations lays claim to the original, true teachings of Christ, so naturally you'd almost expect to see them berating each other along with the Church, but interestingly that shouting match is silent. There is simply one united cry against one united Church - the Roman Catholic Church.

That brings two options to mind. 1) With so many voices yelling against us the sheer quantity should evidence the falsity of the Church. If that were the case, then where does that leave the honest believer looking for the truth? Which denomination does he choose when he turns to select from the thousands of Protestant fractures? Maybe he'll play it safe and add to the pile starting his own religion?

2) The Catholic Church IS the true Church. So much hatred and insult coming from a group that can't unify or agree on doctrine, clearly in contradiction of what Christ laid down, would suggest that they insult what they KNOW is the truth and refuse it, instead resorting to discrediting and attempting to extinguish her light.

I makes me take a second look, even if difficult to do so, and see another blessing from our Father hidden under so much dirt. After all of this, I ask, "Who are the real apostates?"

Answer 5

Pastor Billy says: I smell one more fear gospel and look at all the pride and prejudice. Almost forgot look at all the jealous, and bigotted responses.

Everytime some new group wants to claim the title Church of God for it's own they have to slander the Catholic Church. makes you never wonder which one is the true Church.

Answer 6

If it did it would not be the Catholic Church against which the gates of Hell will not prevail.

Answer 7

By the 3rd or 4th century it was all about the wealth and power for the church hierarchy, and has been since. That is why it is the single richest entity on earth. The Catholic church owns more property that most countries. The art works in the Vatican alone are worth billions. So much for the poverty of Christ. They are all about talking about helping the poor while building fancy churches and cathedrals. Hypocrisy at a world class scale.

In it's defense, it does NOT teach works as the path to salvation. It teaches salvation through Christ like most other Christian religions - saying otherwise is a deliberate lie or deliberate ignorance.

Answer 8

You are so right, Father, thanks for the post!
But unfortunately many of the Protestants have their minds made up and won't listen to the truth. We'll just have to keep trying and pray for them unceasingly!

Answer 9

Suzi (& everyone else),

ALL religions are man made. None of them hold any superior force that allows them to override all others. You to suggest that some Church is false or another is greater than the other, is a paradoxical situation in itself. You should think things through, rather then regurgitate everything you learn in bible school.

Answer 10

What is possible and what is the truth about the RCC is that it IS....Satan's Counterfeit Christianity! Get out of Babylon while you still can!.....Here are the facts........http://www.lcg.org/cgi-bin/tw/booklets/print-bk.cgi?action=print_item&category=Booklets1&item=1140203084&print=yes