Catholic

HISTORY OF CATHOLICISM

(DEVELOPMENT OF THE PAPACY)

52 AD+/- Apostle Paul predicted that "some shall depart from the faith."

(1 Timothy 4:1-6; 2, Timothy 4:3-4 & Acts 20:28-30) He listed some of

the teachings that would be done, forbidding to marry, commanding

to abstain from meats, and doctrinal departures.

115 AD First mention of the term 'catholic' meaning universal, by Ignatius.

200 AD Gifts began to be offered to commemorate the martyrs, eventually led

to 'veneration of saints' and prayers for the dead.

250 AD Desire for more ritual in the church resulted in the use of priests, then

use of elaborate vestments and special ceremonies practiced. Many

of the heathen customs, special days, and pageantry incorporated.

253 AD First 'pouring' instead of 'immersion' considered as baptism, for a

person who was ill.

325 AD Council of Nicaea, 'official' recognition for one elder to be leader of

the others (bishop) and should rule the district of that church. Bishops

of Rome and Constantinople given greater honor than others. The

Nicene Creed originated.

350 AD Remembrance of Lord's Supper developed into saying 'mass'

through Latin words, "lte missa est" a statement used to ask those

not partaking to leave. Eventually 'missa' or 'mass' came to name

the communion service.

400 AD Bishop of Rome was first called "Pope" but not regarded as

'head of the church'.

410 AD Temporal authority gained at fall of Rome as church was only

body strong enough to rule.

476 AD Roman Empire divided into Eastern and Western, Eastern capital was

Constantinople (Byzantium), Western capital was Rome. Bishops of

these cities considered leading 'Metropolitans'.

500 AD+/- Images used in churches as historical memorials, Eventually used as

objects of special worship.

587 AD

590AD

In Constantinople, John Jejunator declared himself "Universal Bishop"

In Rome, Gregory 1 rebuked him and took the title "Servant of God.

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606 AD The Emperor of Rome, took title away from John and conferred it on

Boniface 3 who had declared himself "Universal Bishop."

7-800 AD Doctrine of "transubstantiation" accepted.

1054 AD Bishop of Rome. Leo 9, excommunicated the Patriarch of

Constantinople and the entire Greek Orthodox church. Reasons for

separation:

• Eastern church never recognized Roman bishop as supreme.
• Creedal statement that the Holy Spirit come from God "and the Son."
• Eastern church used leavened bread, Western used

unleavened in Communion.

• Celibacy required for priests by Western church

1079 AD Marriage of priests absolutely forbidden.

1200 AD Sprinkling and pouring now used commonly instead of immersion

and considered baptism.

1400 AD Use of organs (Musical instrument) became widespread

(not used in Eastern churches)

1483 AD Papal 'bull' authorizing the doctrine of the 'immaculate Conception

of Mary' (She was born without original sin)

1535 AD England; Henry 8 declared titular head of English church by 'Act of

Supremacy' following his excommunication earlier that year.

1564 AD Pope Pius 4 decreed that it is the role of the church, not individuals,

to interpret scriptures.

1870 AD The doctrine of "papal infallibility" decreed by Vatican Council.

When Pope speaks "ex cathedra" or "officially" regarding matters

of faith and morals, he is protected from any error.

{DEVELOPMENT OF DOCTRINES)

Meritorious Works Can do good work to gain credit for salvation, can earn more

and give to others. Church can grant 'indulgences' and

forgiveness of sin, for a period of time.

Priesthood An especially appointed priesthood.

Seven Sacraments Baptism,. Application of water by immersion, sprinkling, or

pouring, to give life to the soul by obtaining forgiveness

of 'original sin.'

Baptism of Blood; Those put to death for their faith in Christ before baptism can be said to have a ’baptism of blood’, Baptism of Desire: Those who wished to be baptized, but die

before baptism, or those who never heard of Christ or baptism

but are well disposed to do God's will and would be

baptized if they knew of the necessity are said to have the

'baptism of desire.'

Confirmation. Usually at first communion one confirms his

baptism, usually preceded by Catechism instruction for

several weeks and then a confirmation ceremony' is presided

over the group being confirmed.

Eucharist. (Greek - to give thanks) Sacrifice of Mass;

bread only, priest usually drinks wine for all. Transubstantiation;

It is claimed that the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is repeated

in the Mass and the priest has the power to change the bread

and the wine into the literal body and blood of Christ.

Penance. Confession to a priest with sorrow for sins. Priest

may impose or grant absolution. Perfect contrition is

necessary for forgiveness outside of confession. Imperfect

contrition suffices when joined with confession.

Extreme Unction. (An act of anointing) Administered to those

in danger of dying to cleanse the soul from sin or remove

punishment due to unforgiven sin.

Holy Orders. The sacrament through which Christ had

instituted Bishops, Priests, and Deacons for the various

functions of His church. Also used for Monks and Nuns. A

laying on of hands (Catholics call their priests "Father"

because he is the dispenser of the Life of God through the

administration of the sacraments.)

Matrimony. There are three vocations, Self-chosen single,

religious life in a monastery or convent, or life time marriage.

Marriage is God's plan for procreation ... When Christ came,

He raised marriage to the dignity of a sacrament.

Prayers of the Rosary, Hail Mary (Ava Maria) "Hail Mary, full of grace! The Lord is

with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the

fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for

us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen."

Glory be to the Father, "Glory be to the Father, and to the

Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is

now, and ever shall, world without end. Amen"

Our Father. (Pater Noster) As found in Matthew 6:9-13.

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Worship A prescribed liturgy, Mass celebrated every day in parish

churches. Sunday Masses in local churches. At High Mass

(10 AM to noon) priests prayers are chanted, responses sung

by a choir. Low Mass service is read. Brief instruction or

sermon by priest, and communion.

Summary: Roman Catholics believe:

• Theirs is the only true church.
• A priest can forgive sins.
• Baptized persons not married in their church, not truly married, living in sin.
• Everything the Pope says about faith and morals is absolutely true.
• Mary is to be worshipped along with her son Jesus.
• Un-baptized babies do not go to heaven.
• One has to go through Purgatory before entering heaven.
• Catholics cannot be divorced.
• At every Mass, Jesus is offered as a sacrifice for man's sin.
• Catholic children should not attend public School.
• Catholics should not read the Bible, only recently permitted to do so.
• Teachings and traditions of the church are as important as the Bible

There are a few obvious comments that need to be made concerning this church which

devolved from the church which Christ established at Jerusalem around AD 33. One by one

this church changed almost every doctrine which had been established in the New

Testament. The papal claim to universal authority over all the churches dates to AD 533.

The claim is the Pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church, he is not the head of the

Lord's church. Jesus alone is head of His church as recorded in Ephesians 1:22-23 and

Colossians 1:18, and God has appointed Jesus as the head of His church, while a College

of Cardinals elects the Popes. There is no mention of the office of Cardinal or a College of

Cardinals in the New Testament. The Pope is called "Holy Father' by members of the

Catholic church and by reporters who bring news of what is happening in the Catholic

church. Jesus tells us to "ca// no man your father on earth; for one is your Father, even he who

is in heaven," The Popes have claimed to speak for God, but Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us that

"God has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus."

In life and in death the Popes are adorned in gorgeous ropes and a golden crown. The

residences of the Pope are palaces. Jesus, while on earth had only the clothes on His back,

and no place to lay His head as recorded in John 19:23 and Luke 9:58. The Pope rules over

the earthly 'kingdom' of the Vatican, an independent nation, with its own territory, security

force, diplomatic corps, postal system, and a treasury. It holds property in many nations of

the world. Jesus refused to be a king on this earth, and made it clear that His "kingdom is not

of this world." John 6:15 and John 18:36. Leaders of the Catholic church say some

individuals should be canonized and elevated to sainthood. Every faithful Christian is already

a saint having been baptized into Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:1-2 and 12-13)

IS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AS GOOD AS THE CHURCH JESUS ESTABLISHED?