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Maybe sect wasn't the right word but I know that the Christian religion has branched out from it's beginnings into a multitude of churches. I've always thought that the Catholic Church was the oldest of them all because I know that the Protestant religion split apart centuries ago and has itself been divided into many separate churches and I remember that Christianity became established in Rome which of course is the base for the Catholic Church. So is it true that the Catholics are the oldest part of the Christian religion and where did the word Catholic come from and what does it mean?
Interesting question. I would have to base my answer from Acts 11:26 when the followers of Christ were referred to as Christians. Exactly where on the timeline that term was coined, I am not sure but I believe it was before the Catholic church was established.
It also depends on how the term "church" is used. We tend to identify church as a building, a group of people or a specific doctrine(s). Christ referred to those who follow Him as "His" church, or body of people who follow Him. That would be my guesstimate.
Location: Somewhere along the path to where I'd like to be.
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Catholic, with a lower-case "c", means "universal". As an example, Eastern Orthodoxy is generally part of the catholic church. When it's capitalized, it usually refers to the Roman Catholic Church, as in its name.
The earliest church was simply the universal church - the body of Christians - formed at Pentecost. As the church grew, 5 main churches were established, each headed by a bishop, in Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Rome and Constantinople.
Maybe sect wasn't the right word but I know that the Christian religion has branched out from it's beginnings into a multitude of churches. I've always thought that the Catholic Church was the oldest of them all because I know that the Protestant religion split apart centuries ago and has itself been divided into many separate churches and I remember that Christianity became established in Rome which of course is the base for the Catholic Church. So is it true that the Catholics are the oldest part of the Christian religion and where did the word Catholic come from and what does it mean?
The word catholic is from the Greek word katholikos, meaning "universal".
Jesus was the Messiah for whom the Jews were waiting (Mt 16:16). Approximately two thousand years ago He was born of a virgin (Mt 1:18-25). Around age 33, He was unjustly put to death (Mk 15, 24-37). Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead. Forty days after that Jesus ascended into heaven, and then sent the Holy Spirit to empower His apostles to spread His gospel. He established the Catholic Church on Peter, the first pope, whom Jesus called the "rock" (Mt 16:18).
A strong case for the Catholic faith is also made by studying history. If you look at the extra-biblical writings of the early Christians, you will see that they taught Catholic doctrines. In fact, the Roman Catholic Church was often referred to by name. The first recorded usaged of the word catholic is found as early as 107 AD. A disciple of the apostle John, St Ignatius of Antioch, said: "Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there, just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the catholic church" (Epistle of the Smyrnaeans, 8:2)
The Catholic Church can trace its authority as the one true Chruch through its unbroken line of more than 260 popes from Pope Benedict XVI back to St. Peter.
Location: Comunistafornia, and working to get out ASAP!
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The belief in God for eternal salvation has been around since Adam. Since day one of Jesus Christ on this earth God is only concerned with people believing in Him.
The belief in God for eternal salvation has been around since Adam. Since day one of Jesus Christ on this earth God is only concerned with people believing in Him.
I thought it was the Essenes, a monastic type sect. Jesus and John the Baptist postulated to belong to that sect, rather than the Pharisees or Saducees.
I thought it was the Essenes, a monastic type sect. Jesus and John the Baptist postulated to belong to that sect, rather than the Pharisees or Saducees.
Actually all three were around before Jesus, but I'm pretty sure that only the Pharisees were around after the temple was destroyed.
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I'm actually serious about this question though.
