There can only be One True Church
By Kevin Roeten (10/04/07)
Lately, we've been hearing a lot about disagreements on what the True Church is. To date, there are at least 206 denominations and religions claiming there is no "one true church". But to find out the truth, one must delve back into the early beginnings. One thing everyone should agree on-- Jesus Christ did not make a "church" out of every type of Christianity. He specifically talked about making ONE church--not 206.
If one goes back to early Christianity, it can be determined that it was started in 33 A.D.—when the Holy Sprit descended and made the apostles the first priests, bishops, and pope. He also gave Peter the power to either “retain, or forgive sins”, because He knew He would be ascending soon. He gave Peter the keys to the kingdom, and the head of the Church on earth. All of this is recorded in the gospel. There is no question. The keys were the power of truth.
Of course, Jesus knew someone had to lead His Church on earth. All of those left behind were to go and teach every nation. In early A.D.(~160), Catholic was first used by the Church leaders because it meant “all-encompassing”, or “universal”. There was only one Christian Church that followed the laws and precepts of Jesus. Jesus gave that power to Peter, the apostles, and the one Church to teach the truth. That’s why He gathered them together in the first place.
But for a variety of reasons around 1517, certain groups began to believe different items from the original teachings of Jesus. One was different ‘interpretations’ of what Jesus said----in particular, the transfiguration of the bread and wine into His body and blood. Many bolted, or just would not believe because they thought this was cannibalism. Jesus did not go after those and bring them back saying He was only speaking figuratively. Instead, He asked Peter and the rest who stayed if they would leave too. They did not.
But for many reasons, many people now believe that Jesus was speaking figuratively about His body and blood. That Peter, who was told by Jesus to be head of the Church, could not pass that power on to anyone else. That Peter and his fellow apostles could not forgive sins even though Jesus said they had the power. That many believe that only in the scriptures is where truth is found. But why isn’t “sola scriptura” or “only in the scriptures” anywhere in the Bible?
Many don’t believe that the Catholic Church was founded by Christ in 33 A.D., even though the same Church’s teachings were passed on through early history, and called Catholic shortly thereafter. But what happened in the 1500’s? Why did so many still believe in Christ, but wanted to believe a different truth than was originally taught?
Many seem to forget that one of the reasons Christ came to earth was to found His Church. (Notice He didn’t have any “s” on “Church”.) Many forget that they are omitting themselves from the Eucharist if they do not believe what the Catholic Church was taught by Jesus. “Eucharist” is communion, and if you do not believe the same things, you are not in communion. So why would one even want to partake of something in which they don’t really believe?
Confessing Christ is the Redeemer is a main truth. He came to earth to proclaim many more truths. He gave certain people the power to proclaim that truth. He also told Peter that “the power of hell shall not prevail against His Church.”
We’re all sinners, so we’re all defective. But there’s a few that know the right path. If Catholics told others that they weren’t the true Church, then they’d be lying against the 8th Commandment. But some don’t want to hear the truth. Catholics hope and pray that everyone unites, and returns again to one Church. The controversial papal statement reiterates only unity, but so many seem to want to stay apart.
There’s nothing wrong with being in an “ecclesial community”. But one would hope that all believers would want the full truth. There’s one Church that will give you that. Why would one only want a piece, when they could have the whole?
The Church will always be attacked. The devil knows what must be attacked to wear down the Faithful. The Catholic Church has been a common target throughout all of time. One has to wonder who the devil has employed now to thwart the Catholic Church. Anyone come to mind?
Kevin Roeten
http://kevinroeten.us/
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