It is from Jewish roots that the church of Antioch sprung. In fact, the church of Antioch was founded by St. Peter and it was there that the terms "Christian" and "Catholic" were first used. The first Christians were Jews and entire communities came to accept Jesus as the Messiah.
I imagine they'll be along to reply to this article very shortly. Its sentiment is one I agree with, however, especially in regard to a sort of conscious ahistoricism I've noticed in some Protestants I've spoken with, pastors and lay folks alike.
As stated previously,
The problem is, at least based upon conversations I've had with my Protestant friends, is that they do not comprehend that there is one Church and that is that (cf 1 cor 3:1-5, 1 cor 12:12ff, Eph 5:27, etc.). Jesus Christ is the head of that Church and is the bridegroom of that Church (cf Eph 5:23). He installed Peter as his "prime minister," to deal with the temporal issues relating to that Church (Matt 16:19, cf Isa 22:20-23). Additionally, they do not comprehend the concept of Apostolic succession (cf Acts 1:15ff, and many other examples of episcopal ordinations).
Until that realization happens, they will always try to get the Church to 'admit' She is just another denomination...I truly believe that in most cases, it's not a matter of evilness, I just believe it to be a matter of honestly not understanding.
** Are we Catholics not Christians, indeed the true Christians?**
Yes, we are the first Christians.
And the only church that is
one,
holy,
Catholic,
and apostolic.
Protestant Churches do not have those four marks of the Church as Catholics do.
" In fact, the church of Antioch was founded by St. Peter and it was there that the terms "Christian" and "Catholic" were first used."
I see in the book of Acts where they were first called Christians at the Church at Antioch but where is it stated that the Antioch Church was founded by Peter or they were called "Catholic" there?
The Bible says they were first called Christians there, but it says nothing at all about Catholic.
Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
I cannot state the following without first telling that I, myself, have fallen to liberal protestantism.
The sharp divide 3 plus decades ago was the advantage Satan needed to introduce abortion into America. The devil used our culture to popularize hedonism and infanticide on a global scale.
I asked a non-Catholic preacher about the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. He exclaimed that his bread and non-alcoholic juice beverage did not have the presence of Christ. I agreed that he was correct. Jesus is not present at his worship. But, I'm sure the Holy Spirit is with him and his flock and urging their hungry hearts to the presence of Christ in the Sacramental Life. I know that the Holy Spirit works through such studious Christians because Jesus promised it so via the Beatitudes: Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for knowlege...
In reference to:
"Liberalism is a Sin" by Dr. Don Felix Sarda Y Salvany
http://www.liberalismisasin.com/
Satan takes advantage of our pride. The architect of the protesting will against Spiritual Authority is the same creature that influenced Adam and Eve's fall from Grace. If today's Christians refuse or are ashamed of the "Protestant" label, it's justifiably so. The wicked spirit that blindly rejects Spiritual Authority is the same spirit that rebels against Natural Authority. If a conscience can willful object to Jesus' appointing a man who's spent his entire life devoted to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, then how much easier is it to reject the practical God-given authority of a young father and mother? The spirit that rejects the reason and Faith of True Authority will endeavor to devour a soul and influence individuals to reject ALL authority.
But "Protestants" had children, and that's how the parents became "Christian". A youth may pretend to know everything until they're kicked out of the nest. Then the young adult realizes what geniuses his parents are. And when the young adult has children of their own, they might be wise enough to wonder how miraculous it was that the grandparents of his kids were able to survive at all.
"Protestant" is as dirty a name as "Soviet". The more modern Russian leaders neglect the abuse of the old Soviet system, the more Poland and Eastern Europeans will remind the world of how truly despicable the Stalinists' abominations were. Likewise, History is replete of Protestant errors. Yes, there's corruption in any human institution (as the Vatican knows corruption and internal rebellion). But the Protestant Heresy spawned or encouraged the worst atrocities of the last 100 years. Without Protestantism, there would never have been Communism, Fascist Socialism, or Liberalism.
Blasphemously rejecting the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist opened the intellectual wound to rejecting the presence of Human Life in the womb. Abortion in a "Christian" culture could not have happened without the Protestant Revolt. The abomination came in degrees: state licensed marriages, divorce, and contraception. The horror of abomination happened only when the fruit of this disobedience is ripe to fall: homosexual "marriage", abortion, pop or political science/psychology bent on satiating human desires, and absolute enslavement of the will against the Fruit of Life.
In the American Presidential Election of 2004, the Holy Eucharist proved its Power. Jesus Christ is truly with us. He has never left. Sinners are the ones who leave the presence of Christ, yet, He Reconciles us back to Him.
There is no "orthodox" Protestantism. It's a spirit of rebellion. If orthodox non-Catholic Christians are so attracted to today's Papal leadership, it might be because the Holy Spirit has never allowed a Pontiff to stray from instructing on the Teachings of Christ. Yes, there have been anti-popes, but there have also been bad preachers and Pharisees too. God's Divine Mercy will heal the wounded souls to Reconcile us back into his Grace. History and private Revelation proves the presence of the Holy Trinity with the Roman Catholic Popes for better or worse among our fragile human leadership.
Nothing can decrease by more than 100%.
Righton. Glad someone else said it. Maybe the word "christian" came about later, but in reality since
Jesus was Jewish, one would believe that the first christian church was Jewish. Don't know how Catholics picked up on they were first church? Maybe I missed something. Idolatry was an arguing point and all that gold in the churches were considered un-christian to a lot of people and not being able to interpret the relilgion oneself. Paul of course was a converted Roman Soldier.
Do feel that Catholic church went off on too many tangents to be considered christian, but that is not my decision to make only that I am not Catholic, but feel deep down that it lost its christianity somewhere along the way because I do not see Chatholics carrying the bible, refer to the bible or even mention Jesus to me. Maybe just my experience. I believe though that Catholics believe they are doing the right thing and respect them for that part. We of course will all be judged later by a higher power.
A better term for all Christians is the "new Israel", to which Paul refers. That term links the Old Testament children of God to the New Testament children of God, one the children of the promise of the first coming of Jesus and the other, children of the promise of everlasting life in Jesus when He comes again.