The one true church?

Question

The four marks of the true church are: 1. One (basic doctrines are the same throughout the entire world). 2. Holy (Founded by Jesus Christ 3. Universal (It is open and available to everyone. No one can be excluded) 4. Apostolic (It can be trased back to the Apostles in history.

I have seen these listed as the 4 marks of the true church many times. Who decided these are the marks of the true church? Is this list found in the Bible somewhere? It seems to me this list is made up by Catholics to try and exclude all other denominations.

Answer 1

Well, my humble opinion is that church fathers invented this to protect Church, but romancatholic church then started using this to protect their false system.

I agree with all of it, but with biblical clarifications:

1. One church but not by name - it can have many denominations;
2. Holy - yes, founded by Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit is in it's believers
3. Universal - it encompasses all nations.
4. Apostolic - it's founded on the doctrine of apostles - not upon their succession (Acts 2:42)

Answer 2

You seem to be talking about a political organization, a church. If seen in this context, there are many churches. One church, no there are many. True, an absolute, which require rigoreous testing. So true(truth), only time will tell. I think Jesus said that his organization would stand until the end of time. So you are talking about one absolute political organization. Yes, by definition, (the four marks) justifies its absolutness as a political organization.

Just a note, you contradict yourself when you use the word exclude, when mark 4 notes there is no exclusion.

If any church can have same doctrine through out the world, is founded by Jesus, is universal (catholic), and can prove its historical roots to the apostles,it is the true church. To seek comfirmation of this, put it to the test (s), let other denominations try to fit into these requirements or create other requirement to prove that the Catholic church is NOT the true church.

Answer 3

I believe Christianity-particularly Seventh Day Adventist denominations uphold all four of these marks precisely, not just the Catholic church.

One- the basic doctrines are the same throughout the entire world. There are 27 doctrines in the SDA church that are the same in every SDA church across the world.

Two- The SDA church is Holy and was founded by Jesus Christ. This is because Jesus kept the Sabbath (Sundown on friday to sundown on Saturday) Holy, and rejected the teachings of the Rabbi's, or teachers of those days.

Three-It is a universal and unexclusive church. Unlike the Orthodox Jewish Tradition, where men and woman are segregated and you have to 'own' your seat, Christianity's aim is to serve others and help them find Christ. SDA's dedicate much of their time and financial support to mission projects such as STORMCo's (Service to others really matters) and are always trying to help others. They believe that they don't have the right to judge others, as they themselves will be judged, and there is no way that people can be 'excommunicated' from the church.

Four- Apostolic. The twelve disciples of Jesus Christ also kept the Sabbath holy and set it aside as a special day. They then spread the good news that Jesus would be coming again, after Christ died, and SDA Christianity emerged from these teachings.

This doesn't really answer your question, as I dont know where these marks are found in the bible, but I just thought the I should let you know that there are other Traditions that fulfil the four marks.

Answer 4

The four marks of the Church are biblical.

The Church Is One (Rom. 12:5, 1 Cor. 10:17, 12:13, CCC 813–822)
The Church Is Holy (Eph. 5:25–27, Rev. 19:7–8, CCC 823–829)
The Church Is Catholic (Matt. 28:19–20, Rev. 5:9–10, CCC 830–856)
The Church Is Apostolic (Eph. 2:19–20, CCC 857–865)

The Catholic Church was given the authority and the responsibility to lead the faithful to heaven. That is what it has done and continues to do.

http://www.catholic.com/library/Pillar.asp

Answer 5

dear sir,
can you tell me who is the head of your household?

the bible teaches that Christ is the head of the church. the members are the branches and Christ is the vine that feed the branches.
there are many buildings that is called a church.
God will not be found in any of them, unless someone brings Him in. He must be in their heart.
same with the devil.
God said that He is a Spirit, and whoever worship Him must worship in SPIRIT and TRUTH.
i can be a member of any church, but unless i have accepted with faith, Jesus Christ and believe in my heart that He is the Son of God and that He died on the cross to paid my sin debt and on the third day He rose again, that's all i am, just a member with a church name.
the believers that has been born again and live their life in the way in which Christ have set, that's the church. the true church is them that purpose in their heart to do that which is right before God, no matter the out come, that's the church, those are the ones, that one day God will unite together at the returning of Jesus Christ our Lord.
did not Jesus tell peter that "upon this rock i will build my church, and the gates of hell Shall not prevail against it"? yes He did.
so i fine that the true and living church is in Christ Jesus.
not in the names giving by men.
thank you.......and God Bless

Answer 6

Scripture never mentions using "which church came first" as the basis for determining which is the "true" church. What it does teach is that one is to use Scripture as the determining factor as to which church is preaching the truth and thus is true to the first church. It is especially important to compare Scripture with a church's teaching on such core issues as the full deity and humanity of Christ, the atonement for sin through His blood on Calvary, salvation from sin by grace through faith, and the infallibility of the Scriptures. The “first church” and “one true church” is recorded in the New Testament. That is the church that all churches are to follow, emulate, and model themselves after.

Answer 7

there are two things you can be in life: bitter or joyful.

You didn't mention signs and miracles.
The Catholic church is FULL of them. They meticulously investigate and record everything around each event. THAT is the sign amoung us. Does it matter what denomination you are if you see such a sign and believe? When you see such a thing, is this not striking you as the truth? Yet even so the church says do not believe because of that. This, to me, is indeed a noble thing, and should not be criticized by others. Criticism is one of the worst ways to end a friendship IMO.

Answer 8

I've never heard that before. I come from a non-denominational teaching though. We just use the Bible as our guide not any creed or doctrine.
Maybe you're thinking of Ephesians?
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

The church is the people. If you look at church history, the Catholics weren't named in the Bible nor any doctrine of them. In fact, there are warnings against such (vain repetitions, abstaining from marriage, forbidding foods, etc). The first church was in Antioch and they were called Christians. If you study church history, there are branches coming from New Testament Christianity and different men created their own doctrines for people to follow by.

I hope I was helpful.

Answer 9

The One True Church is the body of Christ who accept Jesus Jesus as their Lord and Savior = as God, and believes that the Bible is true.

Answer 10

This Brother can see
Praise God for such wisdom
catholic rites are the rite answer
1 Corinthians 12 : 12 and 27- 28
The body of the Church are the Beleivers