How does one determine which is the Church founded by Christ? |
The Church founded by Christ must go back in history to the time of Christ; its doctrines must be the same as those of the Apostolic Church; and its leaders must be able to trace their authority back to the Apostles. The Catholic Church has existed since the time of Christ; the early Church Fathers are our indispensable link to Apostolic Christianity; and the Bible and Sacred Tradition are very clear that Christ left a Church that would be governed by a hierarchy of Bishops, presbyters, and deacons with the successor of St. Peter as the head. Only the Catholic Church can trace its unbroken succession of authority back to Christ Himself. (Beginning Apologetics 1, p. 39) Church- Mt 16:18-19 Mt 18:17-18 to name a few Must be one- Jn 10:16 Rom 16:17 1 Cor 1:10 Phil 2:2 1Cor 12:13 to name a few |