Is There Only One True Church?
Can the Catholic Church be Jesus' Only Intended Christian Church?
While on earth, Jesus instructed his disciples to form one unified church, and for that church to spread His word. What happened to Christ's singular, united church?
With Protestant denominations numbering in the tens of thousands, how can Christians know for certain which church Jesus intended for them? And how can the Catholic Church insist that it is the one true Christian Church? Isn’t that a little… well… presumptuous?
Jesus Institutes the Christian Church
Rewind 2,000 years to when Jesus turned to his apostle Peter and said, “And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18) Jesus instructed Peter and the other apostles to build a church, one church, His church. They obeyed, and that worldwide and unified church exists to this day.
Is the Catholic Church the One True Church?
So which church did Jesus establish? Historians confirm that the Catholic Church was the first Christian church; the very church initiated by Christ himself. Saint Augustine named this Church “Catholic” which means “united” in order to set it apart from the heretical sects that were beginning to call themselves churches. Jesus required that his church be unified, and for about 1,600 years it was.
The Protestants
Enter Martin Luther, a brilliant but unstable lawyer-scholar-monk who wanted to create reform within the church. His direct challenge of the Church led protestors to not only question and oppose Christ's only church but to completely desert it and create their own churches. These protestors, called “Protestants” divided the unity that Christ ordered and they continue to divide into multiple denominations to this day.
Why Isn’t Division Okay?
Remember, Jesus stipulated that his church be unified: “There will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16) Jesus even prayed that God would assist in keeping unity within His church: “...Holy father! Keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one just as you and I are one.” (John 17:11 ) Jesus required that the church be one singular body of believers. The early church fathers obeyed His word and worked to maintain unity, as evidenced by this statement in a letter from St. Paul to the Christian church in Rome: “I urge you, my friends to watch out for those who cause divisions and upset people’s faith and go against the teaching which you have received. Keep away from them!” (Romans 16:17). He also cautioned the church in Corinth: "By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ I appeal to all of you, my friends, to agree in what you say, so that there will be no divisions among you." (1 Corinthians1:10)
The Marks of the One True Church
According to the Bible, Christ’s church can be identified this way:
#1. Everyone is welcome. “So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
#2 Everyone is equal. “But if you treat people according to their outward appearance, you are guilty of sin…” (James 2:9).
#3 Children are treasured. "Jesus said, 'Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14) In His church, children are loved and respected.
#4. The Church is out of this world. Christ’s kingdom was, and is, "not of this world" (John 18:36) so His Church is not loyal to any political groups or agendas; she is loyal only to Christ.
Where can the one true church be found? History, tradition, and even the Bible itself all point to the one, universal, and Catholic Church.
