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It means Jesus founded ONE Church and gave the authority and teaching to His apostles, who gave it to their disciples, who gave it to their disciples, who gave it to their disciples, who gave it to their disciples, etc.
Then how do you account for different denominations teaching different policies, accepting different scriptures, etc?
In short: schism.
However, we ought to keep this in mind:
"In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity." (A saying of St. Augustine, often quoted by John Wesley.)
In the essentials of the Faith, there must be unity. And if you disagree with the essentials, then I'm sorry, you are not a Christian. In the non-essentials, there ought to be freedom. But in everything --- essentials and non-essentials alike --- we must love one another.
Holy..definition
exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness.
Catholic..definition
relating to, or forming the ancient undivided Christian church or a church claiming historical continuity from it
Apostolic..definitiom as related to catholicism
of or relating to a succession of spiritual authority from the apostles held (as by Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox) to be perpetuated by successive ordinations of bishops and to be necessary for valid sacraments and orders
Church..definition
a body or organization of religious believers:
(from merriam webster dictionary)
It means that the Church spans throughout space and time. It is here, there, yesterday, today and tomorrow. I don't buy the religion = bad and relationship = good thing. I think both are good. I need the 'trappings' of religion to have a relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I need liturgy, a connectedness with the past, educated clergy, "generous orthodoxy", etc.
Then how do you account for different denominations teaching different policies, accepting different scriptures, etc?
Peter and Paul taught different policies.
For all of the Sturm und Drang over theological differences since the very first days of the church, one light shines true: Christ redeemed us. In the end, just about all of the differences of opinion on baptism and the Eucharist and what kind of people are allowed to be clergy are just human attempts to have authority and control over something that is at it's root very simple and profound.
There are different groups that believe in this (with catholic in lower case, as in blue's definitions.. thanks, blue!):
Quote:
Originally Posted by blue62
Holy..definition
exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness.
Catholic..definition
relating to, or forming the ancient undivided Christian church or a church claiming historical continuity from it
Apostolic..definitiom as related to catholicism
of or relating to a succession of spiritual authority from the apostles held (as by Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox) to be perpetuated by successive ordinations of bishops and to be necessary for valid sacraments and orders
Church..definition
a body or organization of religious believers:
(from merriam webster dictionary)
Once again, there are different "denominations" that claim "apostolic succession", and thus they call themself "catholic" (undivided original church) and thus they call themselves "holy". But that is backwards! You must be holy FIRST!
Just because a church claims apostolic succession or undivided historical roots back to the original NTC does not in any way reflect on its holiness or its status of the True Church. You look at the fruits FIRST, and then give attention to the other terms.
There must be an unbroken lineage of true doctrine and practice, and evidence of the Holy Spirit's unifying and living presence before we can truly claim apostolic succession.
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