by Brandon Jubar

"What do you believe?" That was basically how it all started.

As we stood on that vacant stage, the work lights casting eerie shadows all around us, this Christian Rock guitar player had started to "witness" to me. He went on for many minutes about his conversion and acceptance of Christ as his "personal Lord and Savior". Eventually, he worked his oration back around to me.

"If you've been a Catholic all your life, you must be able to share with me your understanding of our Savior."

It was a challenge, not a request. So I answered it the only way I knew how -- by reciting our profession of faith. It wasn't going that bad, either, until I reached a certain part...

"We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church."

He almost leaped out of his shoes in his haste to stop me from continuing. "That is such an arrogant statement! The Catholic Church has it roots in paganism. And it's based upon the traditions of men, practically ignoring God's Word! How can you claim that you are more holy than other true Christians?"

There is but One Church

Jesus established only one Church, not a variety of Churches from which people could choose. He did not form a Lutheran Church, an Anglican Church, a Baptist Church, an Episcopalian Church and so on. Through Peter, he founded a single Church.

The Bible says that the Church shall be the bride of Christ. Perhaps some Christians believe that Christ should have more than one bride? I doubt it.

Jesus founded a single Church, and thus a single set of doctrines to be followed. And the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church have not changed over the centuries. They have only grown in their fullness, through the Holy Spirit, since the time of the apostles.

The Church is Holy

Through his grace, and through the Holy Spirit, Jesus makes the Church holy. This is not to say that every member of the Church is holy. Nor does this mean that every priest, bishop and ordained person is holy -- or that they will go to heaven.

Jesus knew that the Church would have both good and bad members. Yet because the Church itself is holy, it survives through various scandals and periods of poor leadership. No other organization has lasted as long. And no purely man-made institution could have survived -- and thrived -- as has the Catholic Church. The Holy Spirit is obviously helping to strengthen and guide her through the centuries.

The Church is Catholic

This Church that Jesus established is called catholic, which is Greek for "universal". It was his gift to all the people of the world. Jesus instructed the apostles to go forth and make disciples of "all nations". Not a few nations, or just certain people, but all nations!

Referring to the Church that Jesus founded as "the Catholic Church" dates back to the time of Ignatius of Antioch. As early as 107 AD, Ignatius uses the title "Catholic Church", and indicates that it was already old at that time. Its usage may date back to the time of the apostles.

Today, the Church that Jesus established is over 2000 years old. It can be found in every country in the world, and is the largest single religion on the globe. Over a billion people -- one-sixth of the world's population -- are Catholic.

The Church is Apostolic

This Church that Jesus established is apostolic because the apostles were appointed its first leaders. They were the first bishops, and their successors have been the leaders of the Church for generations.

The line of Catholic bishops traces back, in unbroken lineage, to the apostles in the first century AD. Thus the teachings and Traditions that have been handed down are truly apostolic.

Those things that the apostles taught about the Scripture and the teachings of Christ are still followed today, including: the Immaculate Conception, the bodily Resurrection, the Real Presence of the Eucharist, the forgiveness of sins through a priest, and much more.

The Catholic Church is the only church that can trace all of its doctrines, and an unbroken lineage, back to the apostles themselves. The Orthodox Church cannot, for they broke with the Catholic Church in1054. Most of today's protestant groups can trace their origins back to the Protestant Reformation, which began in 1517. Many of today's "Christian denominations" are splinter groups of splinter groups, and may have been founded during your lifetime.

False Accusations

As I looked into the eyes of my "born again Christian" challenger, I ignored his baseless claims and false accusations. It was obvious that he was going to believe the bogus things he had been told about the Catholic Church.

Ignoring his comments, I slowly repeated what I had just said, before continuing with my profession of faith: "We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church."

Life Applications:

How do you feel about belonging to a Church that was established by Jesus himself?

Do you understand the difference between "doctrine" and practices?

Have you ever had to explain your faith to someone unfamiliar with the Catholic Church?

Copyright 2002 by Brandon Jubar
This article has been provided by ParishWebmaster.com