SHORT HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

The CHURCH in the BIBLE is simply THAT CHURCH BUILT BY JESUS HIMSELF... [MATTHEW 16: 17-19
~~{Jesus replied: Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my
Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, and the gates
of Hell will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth
will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.}]
..this church BUILT BY JESUS was called by the early persecutors as THE WAY (ACTS 9:2) and then its
members were called "CHRISTIANS" (ACTS 11:26) [PAUL described the church as: the church of the living
God, the pillar and foundation of the truth~~1Tim 3:15-16]; in the 2nd Century it was described as
"catholic" or universal by the Early Church Fathers (spearheaded by Ignatius of Antioch); CATHOLIC because
salvation in Jesus is OFFERED TO ALL (Jews and Gentiles alike) and so UNIVERSAL; in the 10th century, this
CHRISTIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH had a schism and so there were EASTERN CATHOLIC CHRISTIANS
(Orthodox churches headed by Patriarchs) and WESTERN CATHOLIC CHRISTIANS (Roman Catholic Church
or RCC, headed by the popes)then in the 16th century, the RCC was visited by Protestant Reformation and
hence came the Protestant members or sects...[Martin Luther was a Catholic priest]
so now we have more than 43,000 different sects or denominations professing belief in JESUS CHRIST.....So
this is HOW THE CHURCH THAT JESUS BUILT STARTED AND WHERE IT IS NOW. This is the brief history of
the Christian religion founded by JESUS.(to those who understand World History , and are not engaged in
cheap, trash opinionated canard-trading)
the reason the word CATHOLIC does not appear in the bible, is because the word CATHOLIC was first used by
early Christians in the 2nd Century (Ignatius of Antioch introduced the word "catholic") AFTER THE FIRST
BIBLE was completed and canonized, but the meaning of the word "catholic" is IN THE BIBLE...CATHOLIC?
{Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened and
encouraged by the Holy Spirit. It grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord} ~~ ACTS 9:31. Written
originally in Greek, when you read ACTS 9:31 in Greek BIBLE, the word KATH'OLES (or Catholic) will
appear......SO THEREFORE, CATHOLIC IS IN THE BIBLE!....(the Bible was first written in GREEK not in English)
.. CATHOLIC MEANS UNIVERSAL.catholicism is in the bible!!! Catholic church is the BIBLICAL CHURCH
founded by the Lord Jesus Himself....so, any other church (founded by mere man) is FALSE..
The followers of christ during the time of apostle were called disciples in .acts 11:26 The disciples were called
Christians first at Antioch.... an those christians in antioch was later called catholic by st ignatius ...Wherever
the bishop appears let the congregation be present;just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic
Church. Letter of Ignatius of Antioch to the Smyrnaeans VIII
Ignatius of Antioch was Bishop of Syria about 75-110 AD, and is one of the Apostolic Fathers of the Catholic
Church. The Apostolic Fathers were the next generation of Church leaders who received the Faith directly
from the Apostles. Tradition has it St. Peter, on his trip to Antioch to meet St. Paul (Galatians 2:11), designated
Ignatius to become Bishop. He followed St. Peter and Evodius as the third Bishop of Antioch. St. Ignatius was
the first to use the term "Catholic Church" in his Letter to the Smrynaeans (8:2).

AND HOW DID IT WENT TO ROME ????

THIS IS HOW YES IT IS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH the new statement proves the church of christ build in
jerusalem ended up in Rome marks of the the true church CHURCH IS ONE= mat16:18unity and oneness john
17:21....Ephesian 4:3.. Ephesian 4:4-5 oneness in teaching 1corinthians1:10 HOLY= Romans 11:16....1 peter
1:16
CATHOLIC =which means Universal mat 28:19....mat 24:14 mark 11:17 APOSTOLICand ROMAN= Luke
24:47... Matthew 21:43= the kingdom of God shall be take from you and be be given to a nation bringing
 forth the fruit thereof because the the jews did not accept jesus That nation is referring to Rome Acts 23:11=
for thou hast testified in jerusalem so must bear witness of me in ROME- ROMANS1:7-8 = your FAITH is
spoken throughout the whole world.....everybody know what religion in Rome that has spread throughout the
world ... it is the CATHOLIC FAITH..
Only God or JESUS is the ROCK, the true ROCK of salvation and there is no other...AGREED!, so therefore
ONLY GOD or Jesus has the RIGHT and POWER to appoint other smaller "rocks" like Peter, AGREED TOO!...
and that is what happened in Matthew 16, JESUS, THE ROCK, appointed Peter (the rock, with small letter r) as
visible head of HIS CHURCH, while Jesus remains the TRUE HEAD of HIS CHURCH, ALWAYS AND
FOREVER.....

WHY PETER IS THE FIRST POPES!

read the passage together with the "KEYS" to the Kingdom of Heaven....the "keys" to the Kingdom of Heaven
was given ONLY to Peter, not to Paul, not to James, not to John, not to Calvin, not to Luther, not to any
"woman-leader-founder", not even to the Mother of Jesus....Jesus mentions FIRST "my Church" before giving
the KEYS to Peter and WHILE TALKING TO PETER.....there is no use in twisting and circumventing tne
meaning of "rock" here just to avoid PETER.. Peter is "rock" as Jesus said so in Matthew 16, but with a small
letter "r", because Catholics still believe that Jesus (the head of the Church even until now) is the Rock, with a
capital letter "R".. Jesus changed the name of Cephas to PETER which means "rock" and said "...upon this rock
(meaning Peter) I will build my church"....so Matthew 16 reveals to us the CATHOLIC CHURCH whose first
pope is PETER...! Only God or JESUS is the ROCK, the true ROCK of salvation and there is no other...AGREED!,
so therefore ONLY GOD or Jesus has the RIGHT and POWER to appoint other smaller "rocks" like Peter,
AGREED TOO!... and that is what happened in Matthew 16,JESUS, THE ROCK, appointed Peter (the rock, with
small letter r) as visible head of the HIS CHURCH, while Jesus remains the TRUE HEAD of HIS CHURCH,
ALWAYS AND FOREVER..
THAT IS HOW CATHOLICS UNDERSTOOD THE CHURCH or the Mystical Body of Christ, as CHRIST is always
and forever the HEAD of this BODY (church)...Remember: in Matthew 16, Jesus gave the KEYS to the Kingdom
of Heaven, ONLY TO PETER.. JESUS did not give the KEYS to Paul, to John, to James, to Luther, to Calvin, to Joel
Osteen, to Billy Graham, not even to His own Mother, MARY, BUT ONLY TO PETER.
SO IF THE QUESTION IS: WHERE IS NOW the "keys" that Jesus talks about in Matthew 16? the answer is look
for PETER....and where is PETER now? the answer is obvious....because the CHURCH built by Jesus has a "rock-
solid" promise or is backed up by the power of Jesus himself as HE SAID: "THE GATES OF HELL WILL NOT
PREVAIL AGAINST IT.".. the keys is with the successor of peter .. the pope .IT WAS ONLY PETER WHO WAS
GIVEN THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM ...
 What make Catholic church apostolic?

THE CHURCH Jesus gives Simon a new name: Petros in Greek. But in Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke,
Simons new name is Kepha.
However in the original Aramaic in which Jesus spoke these words, the statement is You are the Kepha and
upon this (Taute) Kepha I will build my Church. The word taute (this) immediately after calling Peter
Rock emphasizes that Peter is the rock that Jesus is talking about.
The new name given to Simon, in the context of biblical culture, is extremely important: Abram to Abraham
(Gen 17:5), Jacob to Israel (Gen 32:28), Eliakim to Joakim (2 Kings 23:34). Daniel, Ananias, Misael and
Azarias are changed to Baltassar, Sidrach, Misach and Abdenago (Dan 1:6-8).
Furthermore the words of Mt 16:18 were spoken at Caesarea Phillippi near the present day Arab town of
Banias and at the base of a huge rock slab near what is left of one of the springs that fed the Jordan.
The keys of the kingdom
Note the keys in Mt 16:19. Keys were the hallmark of authority. Also, Jesus addressing Peter as Blessed are
you ... (Mt 16:13) gives the passage the aura of the most important statement he would make to Peter (or to
anyone for that matter). Note too how in Isaiah 22:22, Isaiah places the key of the house of David on the
shoulder of Eliakim.
Eliakim was the new prime minister of Israel under the king alone. The key has two aspects: the power to
rule, authority and permanence intergenerational succession. He was to have successors. Peter is to be the
chief ruler in the New Israel (as Paul calls the Church) under the king, Christ. As in Isaiah, there may have
been unworthy persons in possession of the keys, but the position is greater and more permanent than any
one person. Just as when Judas hanged himself, a successor was chosen in Acts (Mathias), so the pattern was
set for the other apostles, headed by Peter who were all to have successors throughout human history.

the CHURCH IS ALSO JESUS BODY PROOF THAT THE CHURCH IS JESUS HIMSELF the faithful believers are
part of his body the CHURCH ..TAKE NOTE:::: WHEN PAUL PERSECUTED THE CHRISTIAN DID JESUS SAID
WHY DID YOU PERSECUTE THE CHURCH .???. NO ..JESUS SAID .. PAUL WHY DID YOU PERSECUTE
ME(JESUS). THE CHURCH IS JESUS HIM SELF IT IS HIS BODY GOD SAID LUKE 9;35 came from the cloud,
saying, This isMy Son, whom I have chosen; listen to 36After the voiHim!LISTEN TO HIM... LISTEN TO THE
CHURCH -THE BODY OF CHRIST ..THE PILLAR AND FOUNDATION OF TRUTH 1 TIM 3;15 THAT IS WHY
IF YOU ONLY ACCEPT CHRIST AND REJECT HIS CHURCH YOU FAITH DOES NOT MAKE SENSE /
ROMAN12;5-6 5so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. 6We
have different gifts according to the grace given us. If someones gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion
to his faith; i cor 12;12 ..12The body is a unit, though it is comprised of many parts. And although its parts are
many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
whether Jews or greek or free
...Eph. 2:19-22==="""""19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with Gods
people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus
himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in
the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."""
 The Catholic Church in the New Testament...
Jesus Christ declared in Matthew 16:18, that He will build His Church on solid rock, the rock
of Simon-Peter.
It is generally recognized that the point of actual founding of the Catholic Church is at the
cross in John 19:34, "...but one of the soldiers opened His side with a lance, and immediately
there came out blood and water."
At Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4, the Apostles were given the authority, and the power, by the Holy
Spirit with which to commence the building of the Church. Notice in Acts 2:14-36 that Peter,
the same Peter who denied Christ three times and ran off and wept (Matt 26:69-75), is
immediately emboldened and gives his first discourse.
The blueprint for the birth and growth of the Catholic Church was drawn by Jesus Christ
Himself.
"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his
field. This indeed is the smallest of all the seeds; but when it grows up it is larger than any
herb and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and dwell in its branches."
Matthew 13:31-32
Jesus Christ planted that tiny seed, and He has tended it, and watered it, and loved it, and
nourished it, and protected it, and watched it grow and expand for almost 2000 years. He will
continue to watch over His Church until the end of time. That is His promise.
The word 'Catholic' is taken from the Greek 'Katholicos', which translated, means 'Universal'.
The Greek word was Latinized into 'Catholicus'. Taking the true meaning of the word, we find
that the 'Catholic Church' is mentioned in Scripture in Matt 28:19-20, "Go, therefore, and
make disciples of 'ALL' nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe 'ALL' that I have commanded you; and behold, I
am with you 'ALL' days, even unto the consummation of the world." The three 'ALLS' are ALL
people, ALL truth, for ALL time, truly 'Universal', truly 'Catholic'.
Throughout the Old Testament GOD dealt with His chosen people, His 'firstborn' (Ex 4:22) the
Hebrews, the Israelites, and the Jews. His first covenant was with Adam and Eve, a small
group. As the Old Testament progressed, GOD's covenants encompassed a larger and larger
group of people, Noah and his family, then Abraham and his tribe, then Moses with many
tribes, then David with his Kingdom. Now in the New Testament, Jesus Christ fulfilled the
promise of the Old Testament and invoked a New Covenant, a worldwide covenant,
encompassing not only the Jews, but all people everywhere, every country, every tongue,
every race, universal, Catholic. Jesus Christ gave a specific command to his Apostles for
them to do this...
Acts 1:8, "...but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall
be witnesses for me in Jerusalem (local) and in all Judea and Samaria (spreading out) and
even to the very ends of the earth (worldwide - universal - all encompassing - CATHOLIC)."

The Catholic Church, the only Church which Jesus Christ founded, was persecuted by both
the Jews and the Romans from the very beginning. The Jews wanted to stamp out this new
Christianity because Christ called Himself GOD. The Romans wanted to destroy this new
Christianity because Christ called Himself a King. The infant Church had to practice in hiding
or fade into oblivion. But fade it would not because its founder was GOD Himself who
promised the Gates of Hell would not prevail against His Church. Matt 16:18
The very first Church gatherings were not in churches (buildings) at all but in the homes of
loyal Christians. These gatherings were done in great secrecy in order to avoid persecution.
The faithful had to use code words to communicate, such as Babylon for Rome, and the fish
symbol. The word 'fish' is Icthus in Greek, the dominant language of the time. Icthus is the
first letters of 'Jesus Christ Son of GOD Savior'. Fish are used as a symbol of the faithful,
referring to the miraculous catch (Luke 5:1-7), and that some of the Apostles were fishermen.
"And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread in their houses..."
Acts 2:46
"Greet Prisca and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus, who for my life have risked their own
necks. To them not only I give thanks but also the Churches of the Gentiles. Greet also the
Church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Ephaenetus, who is the first fruits of Asia to
Christ."
Romans 16:3-5.
"The Churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla with the Church at their house (Corinth)
greet you heartily in the Lord." 1Cor 16:19
"Greetings to the brethren who are at Laodicea and to Nymphas and the Church that is in his
house." Col 4:15-16
"And to Appia, the sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the Church that is in thy
house:" Philemon 1:2
Notice in Romans and Corinthians above, that the Church had already spread to Asia.
It was prophesied by Caiphas, the high priest, that Jesus would gather all of His Children into
ONE.
"This, however, he said not of himself; but being high priest that year, he prophesied that
Jesus was to die for the nation; and not only for the nation, but that He might gather into ONE
the Children of GOD who were scattered abroad." John 11:51-52
The beginning of the fulfillment of this prophecy is in the book of Acts.
The new Church expanded rapidly. This rapid expansion was due in part to the fact that the
Romans had built excellent roads connecting the various cities. The Apostles used these
roads to advantage.
"Now they who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three
thousand souls." Acts 2:41
"And the multitude of men and women who believed in the Lord increased still more..." Acts
5:14
"Now in those days, as the number of the disciples was increasing..." Acts 6:1
"So the Churches grew stronger and stronger in the faith and increased in numbers daily."
Acts 16:5
"And the Word of the Lord continued to spread, and the number of the disciples increased
rapidly in Jerusalem; a large number also of the priests accepted the faith." Acts 6:7
"Now throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria the Church was in peace and was being
built up, walking in fear of the Lord, and it was filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit."
Acts 9:31. The command of Jesus Christ in Acts 1:8 is being carried out.
"And news concerning them came to the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent
Barnabas as far as Antioch. Acts 11:22
"But the Word of the Lord continued to grow and spread." Acts 12:24
Starting in Acts 13:1, the worldwide, universal, Catholic Church began to expand to eventually
include all of humanity...
"Now in the Church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers, among whom were
Barnabas and Simon, called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manahen the fostering brother
of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul." Acts 13:1
"On arriving at Jerusalem they were welcomed by the Church and the Apostles and
Presbyters (priests), and they proclaimed all that GOD had done with them." Acts 15:4
"Then the Apostles and the Presbyters (priests) with the whole Church decided to select
representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. Acts 15:22
"But I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is in the ministry of the Church at
Cenchrea..."
Rom 16:1
"..to the Church of GOD at Corinth." 1Cor 1:2, 2Cor 1:1
"Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy to the Church of the Thessalonians." 1Thess 1:1, 2Thess 1:1
"The Church which is at Babylon (Rome), chosen together with you, greets you, and so does
my son Mark." 1Pet 5:13
"To the angel (Bishop) of the Church at Ephesus write..." Rev 2:1
"And to the angel of the Church at Smyrna write..." Rev 2:8
"And to the angel of the Church at Pergamum write..." Rev 2:12
"And to the angel of the Church at Thyratira write..." Rev 2:18
"And to the angel of the Church at Sardis write..." Rev 3:1
"And to the angel of the Church at Philadelphia write..." Rev 3:7
"And to the angel of the Church at Laodicea write..." Rev 3:14
Cyprus, Acts 13:4
Iconium, Acts 14:1
Lystra, Acts 14:7
Derbe, Acts 14:19-20
Philippi, Acts 16:12
Thessalonica, Acts 17:1-2
Berea, Acts 17:10
Athens, Acts 17:16
Corinth, Acts 18:1-2
Ephesus, Acts 18:19
Tyre, Acts 21:3-6
Malta, Acts 28:1-10
Rome, Acts 28:16-30
Implied...
Pamphylia, Acts 14:23
Perge, Acts 14:24
Attalia, Acts 14:24
Phoenicia, Acts 15:3
Caesarea, Acts 18:22
"For from you the Word of the Lord has been spread Abroad, not only in Macedonia and
Achaia, but in Every Place Your Faith In GOD Has Gone Forth, so that we need say nothing
further."
1Thess 1:8
"Amen I say to you, wherever in the Whole World this Gospel is preached, this also that she
has done shall be told in memory of her." Matt 26:13
"But I say; Have they not heard? Yes, indeed, Their voice has gone forth into All the Earth, and
their words Unto the ends of the World." Rom 10:18
"And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the Whole World, for a witness to All
Nations; and then will come the end." Matt 24:14
"Go, therefore and make disciples of All Nations..." Matt 28:19
And He said to them, "Go into the Whole World and preach the Gospel to every
creature."
Mark 16:15
"But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and
confirmed the preaching by the signs that followed." Mark 16:20
The Liturgy of the Mass began to develop...
"And they continued steadfastly in the teaching of the Apostles and in the Communion of the
Breaking of the Bread and in Prayers." Acts 2:42
"I will declare thy name to my brethren; in the midst of the Church I will praise thee." Heb
2:12
Incense is used at Mass...
"According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into
the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the
hour of incense." Luke 1:9-10
"And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given
to him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden
altar which is before the throne. And with the prayers of the saints there went up before GOD
from the angel's hand the smoke of the incense." Rev 8:3-4
The Catholic Church uses incense today, and offers it up with the prayers of the saints. Does
your church do these things?
The Apostles preached to the Jews in the synagogues on Saturday because that was their
'Sabbath' and the Apostles knew that was the time to preach to the greatest number of Jews
gathered together. Then on the next day, Sunday, they preached the new Christianity to the
Jewish converts, and to the Gentiles.
"And the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the Word of the Lord." Acts
13:44
"And he would preach in the synagogue every Sabbath, and try to convince the Jews and
Greeks."
Acts 18:4
"And on the first day of the week (Sunday), when we had met for the Breaking of the Bread
(the Holy Eucharist of the Mass), Paul addressed them, as he was to leave the next morning,
and he prolonged his address until midnight." Acts 20:7
As the number of Churches increased at a rapid pace, it soon became obvious that there had
to be a centralized seat of authority with which to oversee them all, and to insure that they all
spoke with the same one voice of truth. Was this to be Jerusalem, since some say that James
had the authority since he was the Bishop of Jerusalem and not Peter? Absolutely not,
because the Apostles heard from the lips of Jesus Christ Himself in Matthew 24, that
Jerusalem would soon be destroyed. James may have been the Bishop of Jerusalem, but
Peter was the Bishop of all the world. See Acts 1:8. This central seat of authority became
Rome, and the Papacy, and the Magisterium. The story of how this all came about is well
documented by the Church Fathers.

The Catholic Church has Apostolic Succession...

Didache, 15:1. J9
Clement of Rome, Letter to the Corinthians 42:1, 44:3. J20
Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3:3:1, 3:3:4, 4:26:2, 4:33:8, 5:20:1, J209-257
Tertullian, Demurrer Against Heretics 32:1. *J296
Clement of Alexandria, Who is the Rich Man That is Saved 42:2 J438
Firmilian, Letter to Cyprian 75:16. J602,602a
Council of Laodicea, Canon 12. J745g
Poem against the Marcionites 3:276. J897
Epiphanius of Salamis, Against All Heresies 27:6. J1092
The Catholic Church has the Authority...
Ignatius, Letter Ephesians 5:3. J38a,b,43,44,47,48,49,58a
Ignatius, Letter to the Smyrneans 8:1. J65
Tertullian, Against Marcion 4:5:1. J341
Augustine, Against the Letter of Mani 5:6. J1581
Augustine, Against Faustus 33:6+. J1607, *J1631
Catholic Church, in which all references mention the Catholic Church by name...
Ignatius, Letter to the Smyrneans 8:1-2. J65 106AD
Martyrdom of St. Polycarp 16:2. J77,79,80a,81a, 155AD
Clement of Alexandria, Stromateis 7:17:107:3. J435 202AD
Cyprian, Unity of the Catholic Church 4-6. J555-557 251AD
Cyprian, Letter to Florentius 66:69:8. J587 254AD
Lactantius, Divine Institutions 4:30:1. J637 304AD
Alexander of Alexandria, Letters 12. J680 324AD
Athanasius, Letter on Council of Nicea 27. J757 350AD
Athanasius, Letter to Serapion 1:28. J782 359AD
Athanasius, Letter to Council of Rimini 5. J785 361AD
Cyril of Jerusalem, Catachetical Lectures 18:1. J836-839
Damasus, Decree of Damasus 3. J910u 382AD
Serapion, The Sacramentary 13:1. J1239a 350AD
Pacian of Barcelona, Letter to Sympronian 1:4 J1243 375AD
Augustine, Letter to Vincent the Rogatist 93:7:23. J1422
Augustine, Letter to Vitalis 217:5:16. J1456 427AD
Augustine, Psalms 88:2:14, 90:2:1. J1478-1479 418AD
Augustine, Sermons 2, 267:4. J1492, J1523 430AD
Augustine, Sermon to Catechumens on the Creed 6:14. J1535
Augustine, The True Religion 7:12+. J1548, J1562, J1564
Augustine, Against the Letter of Mani 4:5. J1580-1581
Augustine, Christian Instruction 2:8:12+. J1584, J1617
Augustine, Baptism 4:21:28+. J1629, J1714, J1860a, J1882
Augustine, Against the Pelagians 2:3:5+. J1892, J1898
Innocent I, Letter to Probus 36. J2017
Fulgence of Ruspe, Forgiveness of Sins 1:19:2, J2251-2252
Damasus, Decree of Damasus 1. J910s
Catholic Church, Antiquity of...
Hermas, The Shepherd Vis 2:4:1. J82
Anonymous 2nd Letter of Clement to Corinthians 14:2. J105
Clement of Alexandria, Stromateis 7:17:107:3. J435
Augustine, Letter to Deogratias 102:15. J1428
Augustine, Psalms 90:2:1. J1479
Augustine, Predestination of Saints 9:18. J1985
Gregory I, Letter to John 5:44:18. J2295 595AD
Catholic Church will last Forever...
Clement, Letter to Corinthians 42:1,64. J20,29a 80AD
Anonymous, 2nd letter of Clement to Rome 14:2. J105
Cyprian, Unity of the Catholic Church 4. J555-556
Cyprian, Letter to the Lapsed 33:27:1. J571
Hilary, The Trinity 7:4. J865 Augustine, Psalms 90:2:1. J1479
Augustine, Sermon to Catechumens 6:14. J1535
Catholic Church Founded...
Clement, Letter to Corinthians 42:1. J20
Hermas, The Shepherd Vis 2:4:1-3:5:1. J82-84 140AD
Anonymous, Letter of Clement 14:2. J105
Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3:16:6. J217a
Tertullian, Demurrer Against Heretics 9:3. J289
Clement of Alexandria, Stromateis 7:17:107:3. J435 202AD
Cyprian, Unity of the Catholic Church 4. J555-556
Cyprian, Letter to the Lapsed 33:27:1. J571
Hilary of Poitiers, The Trinity 7:4. J865
Augustine, Homilies on John 9:10. J1814
Catholic Church in Rome Founded...
Clement, Letter to the Corinthians, Address. J10a 80AD
Ignatius, Letter to the Romans, J52
Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3:3:3. J210-211
Cyprian, Letter to Cornelius 59:55:14. J580
Council of Constantinople, Canon3. J910d
Damasus, Decree of Damasus 3. J910u
Optatus of Melvis, Schism of Donatists 2:2. J1242
Catholic Church Unity...
Didache 4:3. J1b
Ignatius, Letter to the Philadelphians 3:2. J56
Tertullian, Demurrer Against Heretics 20:4. J292
Cyprian, Unity of the Catholic Church 4. J555-556
Catholic Church is Universal...
Didache, 9:1,10:1. J6,7
Clement, Letter to Corinthians 5:1. J11
Ignatius, Letter to the Ephesians 3:2. J38
Martyrdom of St. Polycarp, Address. J77,79,81a
Hermas, The Shepherd Par 9:17:4. J93
Anonymous, Letter to Diogenetus 6:1. J97a
Aristides of Athens, Apology 15. J112
Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho 110. J144
Irenaeus, Against Heresies 1:10:1. J191,192,215,257
The Muratorian Fragment. J268
Tertullian, Against the Jews 7:4. J320a
Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation Greeks 10:110:1. J405
Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 18:23. J838
Damasus, Decree of Damasus 3. J910u
Catholic Church is an Infallible Church...
Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3:4:1. J213
Tertullian, Demurrer Against Heretics 28:1. J295
Augustine, Against Letter of Mani 5:6. J1581
Catholic Church has an Infallible Pope...
Tertullian, Demurrer Against Heretics 23:10. J294, 200AD
Cyprian, Letter to Cornelius 59:55:14. J580, 252AD
Augustin, Sermons 131:10+. J1507, J1892
Peter Chrysologus, Letter to Eutyches 25:2. J2178
Papal succession...
Cyprian, Unity of the Catholic Church 4. J555-556
Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3:3:3, 4:26:2. J211,237
Firmilian, Letter to Cyprian 75:17. J602a
Athanasius, Letter to Julius I 22:35. J806a
Optatus of Milevis, Schism of Donatists 2:2. J1242
Augustine, Letter to Generosus 53:1:2. J1418
Peter was indeed in Rome...
Dionysius, Letter to Soter of Rome 2:25:8. J106a,b 198AD
Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3:1:1. J208, 3:3:3 J211 180AD
Tertullian, Demurrer Against Heretics 32:1,36:1. J296-297
Tertullian, Antidote Against the Scorpion 15:3. J368a
Clement, Fragment in Eusebius, History 6:14:1. J439-440
Peter of Alexandria, Penance Canon 9. J611gg 306AD
Lactantius, Deaths of the Persecutors 2:5. J647a
Eusebius, The Chronicle J651aa 42AD, J651cc,dd 320AD
Eusebius, History of the Church 3:1:1. J652a
Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 6:14. J822c
Damasus I, Decree of Damasus 3. J910u 382AD
Epiphanius of Salamis, Against All Heresies 27:6. J1092
Optatus of Milevis, Schism of Donatists 2:2. J1242
The Papacy...
Cyprian of Carthage, Letters 8:2:1. J568a,570b 250AD
Arius, Letter to Alexander of Alexandria, J651 320AD
Rufinus, The Apostles Creed 1. J1343a
Peter Chrysologus, Letter to Eutyches 25:2. J2178
The Primacy of Peter...
Cyprian, Unity of the Catholic Church 4. J555-556
Origen, Commentaries on John 5:3 J479a
Cornelius I, Letter to Cyprian Epist 49. J546-546a
Cyprian, Letter to Quintas 71:1. J592a
Firmilian, Letter to Cyprian 75:17 J602a
Eusebius, History of the Church 2:14:6. J651dd
Aphraates, Treatises 21:13 J693a
Council of Sardica, Canons, Canon 3,4. J702a,b
Julius I, Letter to Bishops of Antioch 22:35. J806a
Council of Constantinople, Canon3. J910d
Damasus, Decree of Damasus 3. J910u
Ambrose, On Twelve Psalms 40:30+. J1252a,1261
Jerome, Letter to Damasus 15:2, J1346,1346a
Augustine, Letter to Generosus 53:1:2. J1418
Augustine, Sermons 131:10,295:2+. J1507,1526,1892
Innocent I, Letter to Council of Carthage 29:1. J2015f
Peter Chrysologus, Letter to Eutyches 25:2. J2178
Leo I, Letters 14:11+. J2178a,2179a,2184a,*J2191, 449 AD

The Vatican...
Eusebius, History of the Church fragment 2:25:5. J106a

***Note: The Jxxx references are for "The Faith of the Early Fathers", by William A. Jurgens
The writings of the Church Fathers are readily available on the internet, free of charge.
The Catholic Church has Deacons now, just as it had then. The Deaconate was started...
"So the Twelve called together the multitude of the disciples and said, 'It is not desirable that
we should forsake the Word of GOD and serve at tables. Therefore, brethren, select from
among you seven men of good reputation, full of Spirit and of wisdom, that we may put them
in charge of this work. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the
Word'." Acts 6:1-6
Stephen was chosen as the first Deacon (Acts 6:5) and he also became the first Martyr, Acts
7:54-60.
The Catholic Church has priests (presbyters) now, just as it had then...
"And when they had appointed presbyters for them in each Church, with prayer and fasting,
they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed." Acts 14:22
"Is anyone among you sick? Let him bring in the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray
over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord." James 5:14
The Catholic Church has Bishops now, just as it had then...
"Take heed to yourselves and to the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as
Bishops, to rule the Church of GOD, which He has purchased with His own blood." Acts 20:28
"Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at
Philippi, with the Bishops and Deacons." Philippians 1:1
Before the Apostles passed on, they started a system, commanded by Jesus Christ, to pass
the baton to successors. This was to insure the perpetualty of the Catholic Church which
Jesus Christ founded. That system is called 'Apostolic Succession'.
Every Catholic Bishop can show his line of spiritual descent, that is, who consecrated him,
who consecrated his consecrator, and so on, all the way back to the Apostles. Jesus Christ
vested in the Apostles special authority. This special Apostolic authority has been passed
down in unbroken succession through the Bishops of the Church for almost two thousand
years, so that the present Bishops of the Church truly teach with the voice of Jesus Christ
through the Apostles.
For you can do nothing without Me...
Jn 15:5, "For without Me, you can do nothing."
Jn 5:19, "...the Son can do nothing of Himself, but only what He sees the Father doing..."
Lk 24:48, "...and you yourselves are witnesses to these things."
Mk 2:10, "But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins..."
Jn 7:16, "My teaching is not My own, but His who sent Me."
Jn 5:30, "Of Myself I can do nothing. As I hear, I judge and My judgment is just because I seek
not My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me."
Jn 8:28-29, "...when you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and
that of Myself I do nothing: but that I preach only what the Father has taught Me. And He who
sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, because I do always the things that are pleasing
to Him."
Authority...
Jn 12:49, "For I have not spoken on My own authority, but He who sent Me, the Father, has
commanded Me what I should say, and what I should declare."
Mt 28:18, "...All power in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me."
Jn 15:15, "But I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from My Father I
have made known to you."
Jn 16:11, "...and of judgment, because the prince of this world has already been judged."
Lk 24:49, "And I send forth upon you the promise of My Father. But wait here in the city, until
you are clothed with power from on high."
Mt 28:19-20, "Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have
commanded you; and behold, I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of the
world."
Jn 20:21, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."
Jn 17:18, "Even as thou hast sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world."
Jn 17:22-23, "And the glory that thou hast given Me, I have given to them, that they might be
one, even as We are One; I in them and Thou in Me; that they may be perfected in unity, and
that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and Thou hast loved them even as Thou
hast loved Me."
Jn 20:22-23, "...He breathed upon them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins
you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.'"
Jn 21:15-17, "Simon, son of John, dost thou love me?.....Feed My sheep."
Note! Jesus did not say feed YOUR sheep. He said Feed MY sheep.
Acts 15:7, "And after a long debate, Peter got up and said to them, 'Brethren, you know that in
early days GOD made choice among us, that through my mouth the Gentiles should hear the
word of the Gospel and believe."
Acts 16:4, "And as they passed through the cities, they delivered to the brethren for their
observance the decisions arrived at by the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem."
1Thess 2:4, "But as approved by GOD to be entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak not as
pleasing men, but GOD, who proves our hearts."
Heb 3:1, "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the apostle and
high priest of our confession, Jesus, who is faithful to Him who made him..."
Jn 20:29, "Because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed. Blessed are they who have not
seen, and yet have believed."
The Calling...
Gen 3:9, "But the Lord GOD called the man and said to him, 'Where are you'?"
1Sam 3:4, "And the Lord called Samuel. And he answered; 'Here I am'."
Acts 9:10, "...the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am Lord."
Lk 6:13, "And when day broke, He summoned His disciples; and from those He chose twelve,
whom He also named Apostles."
Mk 3:13-14, And going up a mountain, He called to Him men of His own choosing, and they
came to Him. And He appointed twelve that they might be with Him and that He might send
them forth to preach."
Jn 15:16, "You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and have appointed you that you
should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you ask the Father
in My Name he may give you."
Jn 15:19, "If you were of the world, the world would love what is its own. But because you are
not of this world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
Mt 10:1, "Then having summoned His twelve disciples, He gave them power over unclean
spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every kind of disease and infirmity."
Acts 13:2, "...the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Saul and Barnabas unto the work to which
I have called them."
Acts 9:15, "But the Lord said to him, "Go, for this man is a chosen vessel for Me, to carry My
Name among nations and kings and the children of Israel."
Eph 4:11, "And He Himself gave some men as Apostles, and some as Prophets, others again
as Evangelists, and others as Pastors and teachers."
Acts 26:17-18, "...to whom I am now sending thee, to open their eyes that they may turn from
darkness to light and from the dominion of satan to GOD; that they may receive forgiveness of
sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me."
Acts 20:28, "Take heed to yourselves and to the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit has
placed you as Bishops, to rule the Church of GOD, which He has purchased with His own
blood."
Gal 1:1, "Paul, an Apostle, sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and GOD the
Father who raised Him from the dead."
Acts 14:22, "And when they had appointed presbyters for them in each church, with prayer
and fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed."
Tit 2:15, "Thus speak, and exhort, and rebuke, with all authority. Let no one despise thee."
1Cor 12:28, "And GOD indeed has placed some in the Church, first Apostles, secondly
prophets, thirdly teachers; after that miracles, then gifts of healing, services of help, power of
administration, and the speaking of various tongues."
Lk 22:29-30, "And I appoint to you a kingdom, even as My Father has appointed to Me, that
you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom; and you shall sit upon thrones, judging the
twelve tribes of Israel."
Lk 10:16, "He who hears you, hears Me; and he who rejects you, rejects Me; and he who
rejects Me, rejects Him who sent Me."
1Thes 2:7, "Although as the apostles of Christ we could have claimed a position of honor
among you, still while in your midst we were as children: as if a nurse were cherishing her
own children..."
1Thes 3:2-3, "...and we sent Timothy, our brother and a servant of GOD in the Gospel of Christ,
to strengthen and comfort you in your faith, lest any should be shaken by these tribulations.
For yourselves know that we are appointed thereto."
1Thes 2:11, "Inasmuch as you are aware of how we entreated and comforted each one of you,
acting towards you as a father towards his children."
1Thes 5:12-13, "Now we beseech you, brethren, to appreciate those who labor among you, and
who are over you in the Lord and admonish you. Esteem them with a more abundant love on
account of their work. Be at peace with them."
Passing the Baton...
Heb 6:1-3, "Therefore, leaving the elementary teaching concerning Christ, let us pass on to
things more perfect, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith
towards GOD, of the doctrine of baptisms and the laying on of hands, of the resurrection of
the dead and of eternal judgment.".
Psa 109:8, "...May another take up his duties."
Acts 1:20, "...And his ministry let another take."
Note! The Greek word used in this verse is "episkope" which means "Bishop". In the Douay
Rheims and the King James Bibles, the word used is "Bishopric". Here we see that a Bishop
is to replace an Apostle. That is a prime example of Apostolic Succession.
Acts 20:32, "And now I commend you to GOD and to the Word of His grace, who is able to
build up and to give the inheritance among all the sanctified.
1Chron 24:5, "And he divided both the families one with the other by lot; for there were
princes of the sanctuary, and princes of GOD..."
1Chron 25:8, "And they cast lots by their courses, the elder equally with the younger..."
1Chron 24:31, "And they also cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron before
David the king, and Sadoc, and Ahimelech, and the princes of the priestly and Levitical
families, both the elder and the younger. The lot divided all equally."
Lk 1:8-9, "Now it came to pass, while he was officiating in the order of his course as a priest
before GOD, according to the customs of the priest's office, that he was chosen by lot to
enter the temple of the Lord to burn incense."
Acts 1:15-26, "In those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, now in the number of
persons met together was about a hundred and twenty,....And they drew lots between them,
and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."
1Cor 3:10, "According to the grace of GOD which has been given to me, as a wise builder, I
laid the foundation, and another builds thereon."
The 'Laying on of Hands' to convey authority and leadership is prefigured in the Old
Testament.
Num 27:15-23, Then Moses said to the Lord, "May the Lord, the GOD of the spirits of all
mankind, set over the community a man who shall act as their leader in all things, to guide
them in all their actions; that the Lord's community may not be like sheep without a
shepherd." And the Lord replied to Moses, "Take Joshua, son of Nun, a man of spirit, and lay
your hands upon him. Have him stand in the presence of the priest Eleazar and of the whole
community, and commission him before their eyes. Invest him with some of your own dignity,
that the whole Israelite community may obey him. He shall present himself to the priest
Eleazar, to have him seek out for him the decisions of the Urim in the Lord's presence; and as
He directs, Joshua, all the Israelites with him, and the community as a whole shall perform
all their actions." Moses did as the Lord had commanded him. Taking Joshua and having him
stand in the presence of the priest Eleazar and of the whole community, he laid his hands on
him and gave him his commission, as the Lord had directed through Moses."
Deut 34:9, "And Joshua, the son of Nun was full of the Spirit of Wisdom; for Moses had laid his
hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and he did as the Lord
commanded Moses."
This same rite was practiced in the early Church and continues to this day. The Bishop, by
the 'laying on of hands' , conveys a succession of Priests and Bishops with a commission,
giving them the authority and the leadership needed to perpetuate the Church which Jesus
Christ founded.
Acts 6:6, "These they set before the apostles, and after they had prayed they laid their hands
upon them."
Acts 9:17, "...and laying his hands upon him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me,
Jesus, who appeared to thee on thy journey, that thou mayest recover thy sight and be filled
with the Holy Spirit."
A 'laying on of hands' is a filling of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:17, "Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit."
Acts 19:6, " and when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they
began to speak in tongues and to prophesy."
Acts 13:3, "Then having fasted and prayed and laid their hands upon them, they let them go."
2Tim 1:6, "For this reason I admonish thee to stir up the grace of GOD which is in thee by the
laying on of my hands."
1Tim 4:14, "Do not neglect the grace that is in thee, granted to thee by reason of prophecy
with the laying on of hands of the presbyterate."
Acts 9:15-17, "But the Lord said to him, 'Go for this man is a chosen vessel to me, to carry My
Name among nations and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he
must suffer for My Name'. So Ananias departed and entered the house, and laying his hands
upon him, he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, Jesus, who appeared to thee on thy
journey, that thou mayest recover thy sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit'."
Heb 6:1-3, "Therefore, leaving the elementary teaching concerning Christ, let us pass onto
things more perfect, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith
towards GOD, of the doctrine of Baptism and the laying on of hands, of the resurrection of the
dead and of eternal judgment. AND THIS WE WILL DO IF GOD PERMITS."
Col 1:24-26, "I rejoice now in the sufferings I bear for your sake; and what is lacking of the
sufferings of Christ I fill up in my flesh for His body which is the Church; whose minister I
have become in virtue of the office that GOD has given to me in your regard. For I am to
preach the Word of GOD fully, the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations,
but now is clearly shown to His Saints."
Eph 2:20, "You are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Jesus Christ
Himself as the chief cornerstone."
Tit 1:5, "For this reason I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set right anything that is
defective and shouldst appoint presbyters in every city, as I myself directed thee to do."
Jn 15:20,"Remember the Word I have spoken to you..."
2Tim 2:2, "...and the things that thou hast heard from me through many witnesses, commend
to trustworthy men who shall be competent in turn to teach others."
2Tim 3:14, "But do thou continue in the things that thou hast learned and that have been
entrusted
to thee, knowing of whom thou hast learned them."
2Thess 2:15, "So then, brethren, stand firm, and hold the traditions that you have learned,
whether by word or by letter of ours."
2Tim 1:13, "Hold to the form of sound teaching which thou hast heard from me, in the faith
and love which are in Christ Jesus."
1Cor 11:2, "Now I praise you, brethren, because in all things you are mindful of me and hold
fast my precepts as I gave them to you."
1Thes 2:2, "But although we had previously experienced suffering and shameful treatment at
Philippi, as you know, we had confidence in our GOD to preach to you the Gospel of GOD amid
much anxiety."
Rom 10:14-15, "How then are they to call upon Him in whom they have not believed? But how
are they to believe Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear if no one
preaches? And how are men to preach unless they be sent?"
1Thes 3:10, "Night and day we pray more and more that we may see you again, and may
supply those things that are lacking to your faith."
1Thes 5:14, "And we exhort you, brethren, reprove the irregular, comfort the fainthearted,
support the weak, be patient towards all men."
1Pet 5:1-4, "Now I exhort the presbyters among you, I your fellow presbyter and witness of the
sufferings of Christ, the partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed in time to come, tend
the flock of GOD which is among you, governing not under constraint, but willingly, according
to GOD; not yet for the sake of base gain, but eagerly; nor yet as lording it over your charges,
but becoming from the heart a pattern to the flock. And when the Prince of the Shepherds
appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory."
Heb 13:7, "Remember your superiors, who spoke to you the Word of GOD. Consider how they
ended their lives, and imitate their faith."
Heb 13:17, "Obey your superiors and be subject to them, for they keep watch as having to
render an account of your souls; so that they may do this with joy, and not with grief, for that
would not be expedient for you."
1Thess 5:12, "Now we beseech you, brethren, to appreciate those who labor among you, and
who are over you."
Mt 16:15-19, "...'But who do you say that I am'? Simon Peter answered and said, 'Thou art the
Christ, the Son of the living GOD'. Then Jesus answered and said, 'Blessed art thou, Simon
Bar-Jona, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to thee, but My Father in Heaven. And I say
to thee, thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it. And I will give thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever
thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever thou shalt loose on earth
shall be loosed in heaven.'"
Mt 18:17-18, "And if he refuse to hear them, appeal to the Church, but if he refuse to hear even
the Church, let him be to thee as the heathen and the publican. Amen I say to you, whatever
you bind on earth shall be bound also in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be
loosed also in heaven."
Jn 14:15-17, "If you love Me, keep My commandments, and I will ask the Father and He will
give you another Advocate to dwell with you forever, the Spirit of Truth whom the world
cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him."
Jn 16:23, "And in that day you shall ask Me nothing. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the
Father anything in My Name, He will give it to you."
Eph 3:21, "To Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus down through all the ages of
time without end. Amen."
What the Apostles had to say regarding Apostolic Succession...
Didache 15:1, "Elect for yourselves, therefore, Bishops and Deacons worthy of the Lord..."
What an Apostolic Father of the Catholic Church had to say about Apostolic Succession...
ST. CLEMENT OF ROME, BISHOP AND APOSTOLIC FATHER OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. FIRST
LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS 80 A.D.
CHAP. XLIV.--THE ORDINANCES OF THE APOSTLES, THAT THERE MIGHT BE NO CONTENTION
RESPECTING THE PRIESTLY OFFICE.
"Our apostles also knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and there would be strife on account
of the office of the episcopate. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had obtained a
perfect fore-knowledge of this, they appointed those [ministers] already mentioned, and
afterwards gave instructions, that when these should fall asleep, other approved men should
succeed them in their ministry. We are of opinion, therefore, that those appointed by them, or
afterwards by other eminent men, with the consent of the whole Church, and who have
blamelessly served the flock of Christ in a humble, peaceable, and disinterested spirit, and
have for a long time possessed the good opinion of all, cannot be justly dismissed from the
ministry. For our sin will not be small, if we eject from the episcopate those who have
blamelessly and holily fulfilled its duties. Blessed are those presbyters who, having finished
their course before now, have obtained a fruitful and perfect departure [from this world]; for
they have no fear lest any one deprive them of the place now appointed them. But we see
that ye have removed some men of excellent behaviour from the ministry, which they fulfilled
blamelessly and with honour."
What Church Fathers, Church Councils, and early writers had to say about Apostolic
Succession...
IRENAEUS, AGAINST HERESIES 4,33,8, 180 A.D.
"The true gnosis is the doctrine of the Apostles, and the ancient organization of the Church
throughout the whole world, and the manifestation of the Body of Christ according to the
successions of Bishops, by which successions the Bishops have handed down the Church
which is found everywhere."
IRENAEUS, AGAINST HERESIES 5,20,1, 180 A.D.
"For all these [heretics] are of a much later date than are the Bishops to whom the Apostles
handed over the Churches."
CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA, WHO IS THE RICH MAN THAT IS SAVED 42,2, 200 A.D.
"After the death of the tyrant, the [Apostle John] came back to Ephesus from the island of
Patmos; and upon being invited, he went even to the neighboring cities of the pagans, here to
appoint Bishops, there to set in order whole Churches, and there to ordain to the clerical
estate such as were designated by the Spirit."
FIRMILIAN BISHOP OF CAESAREA, LETTER TO CYPRIAN 75,16, 255 A.D.
"Therefore the power of forgiving sins was given to the Apostles and to the Churches which
these men, sent by Christ, established; and to the Bishops who succeeded them by BEING
ORDAINED IN THEIR PLACE."
TERTULLIAN, THE DEMURRER AGAINST HERETICS 32,1, 200 A.D.
"Moreover, if there be any (heresies) bold enough to plant themselves in the midst of the
apostolic age, so that they might seem to be handed down by the Apostles... we can say to
them: let them show the origins of their churches, let them unroll the order of their bishops,
running down in succession from the beginning, so that their first bishop shall have for author
and predecessor some one of the Apostles or of the apostolic men who continued steadfast
with the Apostles."
TERTULLIAN, THE DEMURRER AGAINST HERETICS 32,2-3, 200 A.D.
"For this is the way in which the apostolic Churches transmit their lists: like the Church of the
Smyrneans, which records that Polycarp was placed there by John; like the Church of the
Romans where Clement was ordained by Peter. In just this same way the other Churches
display those whom they have as sprouts from the Apostolic seed, having been established in
the episcopate by the Apostles."
COUNCIL OF LAODICEA, CANON 12, 343 A.D.
"That Bishops are to be appointed to ecclesiastical leadership by the judgment of the
metropolitans and their surrounding Bishops, after they have been examined at length as to
their knowledge of the faith and quite frankly as to their deportment."
This is only a small sampling of the early writings in support of Apostolic Succession. There
are many more.
The Catholic Church has seven Sacraments now, just as it had then...
Baptism: Matt 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, John 3:1-5, Acts 8:26-39, Rom 6:3-4, Eph 4:4-7.
Reconciliation: Matt 16:19, Luke 5:17-26, 7:36-50, 13:1-5, John 8:3-11, 20:23.
Confirmation: Acts 1:8, 2:1-4, 8:14-20, 19:1-7, 2Cor 1:21-22, Eph 1:13.
Holy Eucharist: Malachi 1:11, Matt 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-27, Luke 22:19-20, John 6:All,
1Cor 11:17-29, Heb 7,8,9.
Matrimony: Gen 2:18-24, 1Cor 7:2-8, Eph 5:21-33
Holy Orders: Luke 5:1-11, John 1:35-39, 15:15-16, 20:19-23, Acts 6:3-6, 13:3, 1Cor 11:19-27,
2Tim 1:6, Heb 5:1-5, 1Pet 2:5-11.
Anointing of the Sick: Mark 6:13, 16:18, James 5:14-15.

The Bishops of the Catholic Church of today vote amongst themselves just as the Apostles
did in the ancient Church.
"And they drew lots between them, and the lot fell upon Matthias: and he was numbered with
the eleven Apostles." Acts 1:26
The Catholic Church has a visible head on earth today (the Pope) just as it did in its infancy,
one who will shepherd the flock and who will represent the invisible head Jesus Christ...
"And after a long debate, Peter got up and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in early
days GOD made choice among us, that through MY mouth the Gentiles should hear the Word
of the Gospel and believe." Acts 15:7-11
Right after Peter's discourse in Acts 15:7-11, which was during the first Church council, the
Council of Jerusalem, the dissension within the council was abated.
"Then the whole meeting quieted down and listened..." Acts 15:12
This is a prefigurement of the authority of the Pope, "Rome has spoken, the issue is settled."
Some in the Church will be given a specific gift...
"Now you are the body of Christ member for member. And GOD indeed has placed some in the
Church, first Apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers; after that miracles, then gifts of
healing, services of help, Power of Administration, and the speaking of various tongues." 1Cor
12:27-28
The Catholic Church has as its 'Power of Administration' a system of government known as a
'Hierarchy'.
Eph 4:11-16: "And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for
building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge
of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ;
so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of
doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. Rather, speaking the
truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom
the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each
part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love."
There is a correspondence between the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and
teachers, and the vital organs of the Body of Christ. Every body has vital organs, without
which it cannot function. The lesser members are essential, to be sure, but if they were cut
off, the body would merely be inconvenienced, not destroyed. As the body matures, the cells
of the vital organs reproduce their own cells; the heart, heart cells; the liver, liver cells, the
brain, brain cells, and so forth. They do so with the material from other living cells: blood,
genes, etc. So, as long as the body lives, its hierarchal composition will continue. Without this
hierarchal order there is disorder. Lacking unity with the Body of Christ, "children" (used here
of the carnal) are out of control, not in its place and therefore not functioning properly,
remains immature. What member is connected directly to the head? The body "builds itself up
in love" while the members are members of one another, Rom 12:5,
Eph 4:25. So, there must always be a hierarchy in the Body of Christ, the Church. If the
members are members of one another, Rom 12:5, Eph 4:25, and the body "builds itself up in
love" and the body "fills the universe in all its parts", then there is an intimate bond between
all the members that is for their upbuilding. This is the communion/intercession of saints.
Many thanks to Paul Kamalsky for this contribution of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church.
Through the Catholic Church there shall be made known the wisdom of GOD...
"Yes, to me, the very least of all saints, there was given this grace, to announce among the
Gentiles the good tidings of the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to enlighten all men as to
what is the dispensation of the mystery which has been hidden from eternity in GOD, who
created all things; in order that through the Church there be made known to the Principalities
and the Powers in the heavens the manifold wisdom of GOD according to the eternal purpose
which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." Eph 3:8-10
It is not the Bible, but the Catholic Church that is the foundation and the pillar of truth...
"I write these things to thee hoping to come to thee shortly, but in order that thou mayest
know, if I am delayed, how to conduct thyself in the house of GOD, which is the Church of the
Living GOD, the pillar and mainstay of the truth." 1Tim 3:14-15
If a dispute arises, first begin at the lowest level to resolve it, a one on one discussion. If that
fails, then take one or two witnesses with you to confirm the wording of the dispute. If that
fails then appeal to the Church, the final authority...
"And if he refuse to hear them, appeal to the Church, but if he refuse to hear even the Church,
let him be to thee as the heathen and the publican." Matt 18:15-18.
Jesus Christ is the head of the Catholic Church...
We are the body...
"And all things He made subject under His feet, and Him He gave as head over all the Church,
which indeed is His body, the completion of Him who fills all with all."
Eph 1:22
"...just as Christ is head of the Church, being Himself savior of the body." Eph 5:23
"But just as the Church is subject to Christ, so also let wives be to their husbands in all
things."
Eph 5:24
"Again, He is the head of His body, the Church." Col 1:18
"I fill up in my flesh for His body, which is the Church." Col 1:24
Jesus Christ loves the Catholic Church, and it is holy and spotless...
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church, and delivered Himself up for
her, that He might sanctify her, cleansing her in the bath of water by means of the Word; in
order that He might present to Himself the Church in all her glory, not having spot or wrinkle
or any such thing, but that she might be Holy and without blemish." Eph 5:25-27
Jesus Christ nourishes His Church and cherishes it...
"He who loves his own wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh; on the
contrary he nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ also does the Church." Eph 5:29
We are warned to not persecute the Church which Jesus Christ founded...
"But Paul was harassing the Church; entering house after house,
and dragging out men and women, he committed them to prison." Acts 8:3
"And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him,
"Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me"?" Acts 9:4
Who, or what was persecuted in Acts 8:3? It was the Church. Who did Jesus say was being
persecuted? He said it was Himself. If you persecute His Church, you persecute Him.
"Do not be a stumbling block to Jews and Greeks and to the Church of GOD." 1Cor 10:32
"Have you not houses for your eating and drinking? Or do you despise the Church of GOD and
put to shame the needy?" What am I to say to you? Am I to commend you? In this I do not
commend you." 1Cor 11:22
"For I am the least of the Apostles, and am not worthy to be called an Apostle, because I
persecuted the Church of GOD." 1Cor 15:9
"For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism; how beyond all measure I
persecuted the Church of GOD and ravaged it." Gal 1:13
"...as regards zeal, a persecutor of the Church of GOD." Philip 3:6
"Now I exhort you, brethren, that you watch those who cause dissensions and scandals
contrary to the doctrine that you have learned, and avoid them." Rom 16:17
The Catholic Church WILL increase in wisdom over time as the Holy Spirit reveals a deeper
understanding of divine public revelation as presented to her in Holy Scripture and Holy
Tradition...
"But there is nothing concealed that WILL not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that WILL not
be made known. For what you have said in darkness WILL be said in the light; and what you
have whispered in the inner chambers WILL BE PREACHED ON THE HOUSETOPS." Luke 12:2-3
"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, He WILL TEACH
you all things, and bring to your mind whatever I have said to you." John 14:26
"MANY THINGS YET I HAVE TO SAY TO YOU, BUT YOU CANNOT BEAR THEM NOW. But when
He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He WILL TEACH you all the truth. For He will not speak on
His own authority, but whatever He will hear, He WILL SPEAK, and the THINGS THAT ARE TO
COME HE WILL DECLARE TO YOU." John 16:12-13
"And He Himself gave some men as Apostles, and some as Prophets, and others again as
Evangelists, and others as Pastors and Teachers, IN ORDER TO PERFECT THE SAINTS FOR A
WORK OF MINISTRY, FOR THE BUILDING UP OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, UNTIL WE ALL ATTAIN
TO THE UNITY OF THE FAITH AND OF THE DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, TO
PERFECT MANHOOD, TO THE MATURE MEASURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST. AND THIS HE
HAS DONE THAT WE MAY BE NOW NO LONGER CHILDREN, TOSSED TO AND FRO AND
CARRIED ABOUT BY EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE DEVISED IN THE WICKEDNESS OF MEN, IN
CRAFTINESS, ACCORDING TO THE WILES OF ERROR. RATHER ARE WE TO PRACTICE THE
TRUTH IN LOVE, AND GROW UP IN ALL THINGS IN HIM WHO IS THE HEAD, CHRIST. FOR FROM
HIM THE WHOLE BODY (BEING CLOSELY JOINED AND KNIT TOGETHER THROUGH EVERY
JOINT OF THE SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE FUNCTIONING IN DUE MEASURE OF EACH
SINGLE PART) DERIVES ITS INCREASE TO THE BUILDING UP OF ITSELF IN LOVE." Eph 4:11-16
"This grace has abounded beyond measure in us in all wisdom and prudence, so that HE MAY
MAKE KNOWN TO US THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE HE
PURPOSED IN HIM TO BE DISPENSED IN THE FULLNESS OF THE TIMES; TO RE-ESTABLISH
ALL THINGS IN CHRIST, BOTH THOSE IN THE HEAVENS AND THOSE ON EARTH."Eph 1:8-10
"I fed you with milk, not with solid food, FOR YOU WERE NOT YET READY FOR IT. NOR ARE
YOU NOW READY FOR IT, FOR YOU ARE STILL CARNAL." 1Cor 3:2
"For whereas by this time you ought to be masters, YOU NEED TO BE TAUGHT AGAIN THE
RUDIMENTS OF THE WORDS OF GOD; AND YOU HAVE BECOME SUCH AS HAVE NEED OF MILK
AND NOT OF SOLID FOOD. FOR EVERYONE WHO IS FED ON MILK IS UNSKILLED IN THE WORD
OF JUSTICE; HE IS BUT A CHILD. BUT SOLID FOOD IS FOR THE MATURE, FOR THOSE WHO BY
PRACTICE HAVE THEIR FACULTIES TRAINED TO DISCERN GOOD AND EVIL." Heb 5:12-14
"So then, every Scribe instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a householder WHO
BRINGS FORTH FROM HIS STOREROOM THINGS NEW AND OLD." Matt 13:52
"Now I exhort the presbyters among you - I, your fellow presbyter and witness of the
sufferings of Christ, THE PARTAKER ALSO OF THE GLORY THAT IS TO BE REVEALED IN TIME
TO COME..." 1Pet 5:1-2
"Another parable He set before them saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of
mustard seed, which a man took and sowed into his field. This indeed is the smallest of all
seeds; but when it grows up it is larger than any herb and becomes a tree, so that the birds of
the air come and dwell in its branches." Matt 13:31-32
The Catholic Church which Jesus Christ founded will last for all eternity...
"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against
thee in judgment, thou shalt condemn. This is the inheritance of the servants of the Lord, and
their justice with Me, said the Lord." Isa 54:17
"And I say to thee, thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of
hell shall not prevail against it." Matt 16:18
"And behold, I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of the world." Matt 28:20
"And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Advocate to dwell with you forever, the
Spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him.
But you shall know Him, because He will dwell with you, and be in you." John 14:16-17
"Now, to him who is able to accomplish all things in a measure far beyond what we ask or
conceive, in keeping with the power that is at work in us, to Him be glory in the Church and in
Christ Jesus down through all the ages of time without end. Amen." Eph 3:21
"And he said to them, 'Men of Israel, take care of what you are about to do to these men. For
some time ago there rose up Theodas, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about
four hundred, joined him; but he was slain, and all his followers were dispersed and he was
brought to nothing. After him rose up Judas the Galilean in the days of the census and drew
some people after him; he too perished, and all of his followers were scattered abroad. So
now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone. For if this plan or work is of
men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of GOD, you will not be able to overthrow it. Else
perhaps you may find yourselves fighting even against GOD'." Acts 5:35-39
Well, clearly, the Catholic Church is still here after almost 2000 years. It has certainly been
tried by many to overthrow it from without and from within, almost without reprieve for the
entire two millennium. Jews, Romans, Vandals, Heretics, Islam, Protestants, the French
Revolution, Modernists, Hitler, Communists, and many others, one group after another, have
tried and failed, and yet the Church still stands. It is the oldest, and the largest, and the
longest lasting institution on earth. Having said that, aren't you compelled to agree that the
Catholic Church is of the work of GOD and not of men? Despite all of this constant attack, the
Catholic Church has grown to well over one billion (1,045,000,000*) members, or one sixth of
the population of the entire earth, as of January 2000.
(*official Church figure)
The early Church can be compared to the planting of a seed, an acorn. Over the past almost
2000 years the acorn has grown into a large and beautiful oak tree.
""...And though a tenth remain in it, it will be burned again, like a terebinth or an oak, whose
stump remains standing when it is felled." The holy seed is its stump." Isaiah 6:13
 Papacy is Biblical. In fact, the Papacy is prophesied in the Old
Testament
I will clothe him with your robe,
gird him with your sash,
confer on him your authority.
He shall be a father (note: the word pope simply means "papa" or father) to the
inhabitants of Jerusalem,
and to the house of Judah.

I will place the KEY of the House of David on his shoulder;

what he opens, no one will shut,
what he shuts, no one will open. (Isaiah 22:21-22)

Did you see the word "Key" and he will open and shut doors? 800 year later, Jesus
Christ Himself will say:

"And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and
the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

I will give you the KEYS to the kingdom of heaven.* Whatever you bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven." (Matthew 16:18-19)

Then the Bible again mentions these KEYS with the power to Open and Shut Doors
80 years later!

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write this: The holy one, the true, who
holds the KEY of David,
who opens and no one shall close,
who closes and no one shall open" (Revelation 3:7)

FOUR MARKS OF THE TRUE CHURCH

If we wish to locate the Church founded by Jesus, we need to locate the one that has the four
chief marks or qualities of his Church. The Church we seek must be one, holy, catholic, and
apostolic.
The Church Is One (Rom. 12:5, 1 Cor. 10:17, 12:13, CCC 813822)
Jesus established only one Church, not a collection of differing churches (Lutheran, Baptist,
Anglican, and so on). The Bible says the Church is the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:2332). Jesus
can have but one spouse, and his spouse is the Catholic Church.His Church also teaches just
one set of doctrines, which must be the same as those taught by the apostles (Jude 3). This
is the unity of belief to which Scripture calls us (Phil. 1:27, 2:2).Although some Catholics
dissent from officially-taught doctrines, the Churchs official teachersthe pope and the
bishops united with himhave never changed any doctrine. Over the centuries, as doctrines
are examined more fully, the Church comes to understand them more deeply (John 16:12
13), but it never understands them to mean the opposite of what they once meant.
The Church Is Holy (Eph. 5:2527, Rev. 19:78, CCC 823829)
By his grace Jesus makes the Church holy, just as he is holy. This doesnt mean that each
member is always holy. Jesus said there would be both good and bad members in the Church
(John 6:70), and not all the members would go to heaven (Matt. 7:2123).But the Church
itself is holy because it is the source of holiness and is the guardian of the special means of
grace Jesus established, the sacraments (cf. Eph. 5:26).
The Church Is Catholic (Matt. 28:1920, Rev. 5:910, CCC 830856)
Jesus Church is called catholic ("universal" in Greek) because it is his gift to all people. He
 told his apostles to go throughout the world and make disciples of "all nations" (Matt. 28:19
20).For 2,000 years the Catholic Church has carried out this mission, preaching the good
news that Christ died for all men and that he wants all of us to be members of his universal
family (Gal. 3:28).Nowadays the Catholic Church is found in every country of the world and is
still sending out missionaries to "make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19).The Church
Jesus established was known by its most common title, "the Catholic Church," at least as
early as the year 107, when Ignatius of Antioch used that title to describe the one Church
Jesus founded. The title apparently was old in Ignatiuss time, which means it probably went
all the way back to the time of the apostles.
The Church Is Apostolic (Eph. 2:1920, CCC 857865)
The Church Jesus founded is apostolic because he appointed the apostles to be the first
leaders of the Church, and their successors were to be its future leaders. The apostles were
the first bishops, and, since the first century, there has been an unbroken line of Catholic
bishops faithfully handing on what the apostles taught the first Christians in Scripture and oral
Tradition (2 Tim. 2:2).These beliefs include the bodily Resurrection of Jesus, the Real
Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, the sacrificial nature of the Mass, the forgiveness of sins
through a priest, baptismal regeneration, the existence of purgatory, Marys special role, and
much more even the doctrine of apostolic succession itself.Early Christian writings prove
the first Christians were thoroughly Catholic in belief and practice and looked to the
successors of the apostles as their leaders. What these first Christians believed is still
believed by the Catholic Church. No other Church can make that claim.
 The Scriptures speak of The One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic
Church.

Matthew 16:18 - Jesus established and protects His Church.

Matthew 28:20 - Jesus promises to be with His Church always.

John 16:13 - The Holy Spirit guides the Church into all truth.

1 Timothy 3:15 - The Church is the pillar and foundation of truth.

Matthew 18:17-18 - If someone refuses to listen to the Church cast him out.

Matthew 28:18-20 - The Churches authority is Jesus' authority.

1 John 4:6 - Anyone who knows God listens to the Church.

Luke 10:16 - He who rejects the Church rejects Christ.

Matthew 16:19 - The Church has power to legislate.

Acts 15:28 - Decisions of the Church are decisions of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 15:6-29 - Apostles and elders settle disputes authoritatively through

councils.

Acts 16:4 - People are to observe the decisions of the Apostles and elders.

Acts 1:15-26 - The Apostles choose successors.

Titus 1:5 - Bishops appoint presbyters (priests).

1 Peter 5:5 - Be subject to the elders.

Hebrews 13:17 - "Obey your leaders and submit to them".

Romans 16:17-18 - Avoid those who create dissensions.

1 Corinthians 1:10 - There must be no divisions among you.

John 10:16 - The Church must be one.

Ephesians 4:4-5 - There is one body, one Lord, one faith and one baptism.

Set up signs and mark the road (way) - Jeremiah 31:21.

 The Way is the Church - Acts 24:14; 19:9.

The Church therefore can be found through its Four Marks.

The Church Is One Rom. 12:5, 1 Cor. 10:17, 12:13

Holy. Eph. 5:2527, Rev. 19:78

Catholic Matt. 28:1920, Rev. 5:910

Apostolic - You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets
Eph. 2:20.

...Catholicism Founded by Jesus Christ, on Peter (Kepha) - AD33.

Now blob who previously made the fallacy accusation that I post scriptures
that are "misapplied" ran away every time he was called out to prove each
one in turn, demonstrating that his scripture rejecting opinions influenced
by cognitive dissonance are no argument.
No true man of God would dare reject the scriptures, unlike a moronic troll
pretending to be one.

These also debunk his (Luther's) bible fabrication of scripture alone as no

book can settle disputes; legislate; hold councils; obey anything, ordain
priests etc etc.

Then there is the paradox of why the world needs pastors like that charlatan
if people only need a bible that demands no donation, or coin.
Inconsistent much?