There is only ONE true Church

Bible | 33-90 AD | God Christ Jesus Apostle Paul

[bibletruth]

In the present dispensation there is only ONE true Church, which is called the Body of Christ separate and distinct from the prophesied, earthly kingdom of Christ vested in redeemed National Israel as a called-out nation or church, assembly or congregation, above all other nations.

[ColdSteelTalon]

Too much blood on the Catholic church's hands. It could not possibly be the Church of Christ. Its a fact of history get comfortable with that and delude yourself with the lies written by them to "prove" they are the true Church.

Read your history. Lots of dead people under the feet of Catholic Church leadership over the years.

[bibletruth]

Galatians 4:16: Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 12:5: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

I am fully saved by the blood of Christ and the fact that I am baptized into Christ (Romans 6:4)

Ephesians 1:13: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 1:14: Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

[neverbluffer]

Actually, he is correct!

[Cvengr]

1Co 15:9
(9) For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Paul persecuted the Church prior to His conversion.

The Church began before Paul, by his own statement.

[ColdSteelTalon]

Where does the Bible say that the Catholic Church is the only Church? It doesn’t. Besides the Catholic Church has murdered people to hold on to its power. Don’t sell me that bunk that the Catholic Church is such a noble organization. History proves otherwise.

[neverbluffer]

You cant be serious can you?

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

Some other relevant citations:

And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard of these things. (Acts 5:11)

And Saul was consenting to his death. And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:1)

[Salvation]

Lists Every Catholic Should be Familiar With: The 4 Marks of the Church
Radio Replies Second Volume - Holiness of the Church
One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic: Marks of the Church Building as well as the Church Herself
The 15 Marks of The Church
Catholic Biblical Apologetics: The Marks of the Church, One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic
Four Marks of the Church Four Marks of the Church
One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic: The Marks of Christ's Church [Ecumenical]

[Oratam]

I would not believe in holy scripture if not the directed so by the Catholic Church.

[Cvengr]

We are both, royal ambassadors, but also priests with Christ as the High Priest.

We are all members of His Royal Family.

[neverbluffer]

Well then why dont you tell us the “name” of the person who founded the Catholic Church? You cant!

But, I can give you the name of people who started all the protestant churches.

[conservativguy99]

You got that Bible you worship from the Catholic church and our Jewish friends. Protestant “churches” aren’t really even churches. They are ecclesiastical fellowships. The Catholic church has been around for around 2000 years and knows that so-called christian sects come and go. 500years is nothing to the Catholic Church.

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

There is also confusion about the relationship between the kingdom and the church. Something that I posted on another thread regarding that, and of the beginning of the church, follows here:

1. The words "kingdom"and "church" are often used interchangeably in the Bible, especially in the New Testament (e.g., Matt. 16:18-19; Heb. 12:23,28; Rev. 1:4,6), but not always (e.g., Psalms 103:19; Matt. 8:11; 12:28; 25:34; Luke 13:28-29; II Tim. 4:18).
   
2. God has had a kingdom long before the events of Acts chapter 2 (i.e., the establishment of the church) had taken place. In its broadest sense, the "kingdom" is  the rule or government of God both on earth and in heaven at all times and in all of its aspects.  The term is frequently used, however, in the Old Testament and in the gospels to point to something future, when there would be a kingdom in a special sense.
   
3. The church (kingdom) is seen in various stages and from various vantage points in the Bible:
   
   1. The church (kingdom) in the eternal purpose of God: Eph. 3:7-11
      
   2. The church (kingdom) in prophecy: Daniel 2:44-45; 7:14, 27; Joel 2:28; Isaiah 9:7; etc.
      
   3. The church (kingdom) in preparation:
      
      1. "will build" (Matt. 16:18-19)
         
      2. "at hand" (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 10:5-7; Mark 1:15; cf. Luke 10:9,11)
         
      3. The kingdom was to come during the lifetime of those living at the time of Jesus' ministry (Matt. 16:28; Mark 9:1; Luke 9:27).
   4. The church (kingdom) as a present reality:
      
      1. The coming of the kingdom of God finds its fulfillment in the events associated with the establishment of the church at Jerusalem in Acts chapter 2.
         a) Mark 9:1---"the kingdom of God" will come in the generation of those present "with power" (cf. Matt. 16:28; Luke 9:27)
         b) Luke 24:46-49
               i) "with power" (v.49)
               ii) "beginning from Jerusalem" (v.47)
         c) Acts 1:6-8
               i) "shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you" (v.8)
               ii) "witnesses in Jerusalem..." (v.8)
         d) Acts 2:1-5
               i) the coming of the Holy Spirit (vv.1-4)
               ii) "Jerusalem" (v.5)
      
      

      Mark 9:1	"the kingdom of God"	"with power"
      Luke 24:46-49		"with power"	"beginning from Jerusalem"
      Acts 1:6-8		"power"	"Jerusalem"	"Holy Spirit"
      Acts 2:1-5			"Jerusalem"	"Holy Spirit"

   
         ii. Acts 11:15---"at the beginning" (referring back to the events at Pentecost in Acts chapter 2)
        iii. the "church" mentioned as a presently existing reality:  Acts 5:11; 8:1,3; 11:22; etc.
        iv. the "kingdom" mentioned as a presently existing reality:  Col. 1:13; Heb. 12:28; etc.
   
   
   Full disclosure: I am not Catholic, and this response should not be taken as a defense of Catholicism. It is not. (That, perhaps for another time.) I just think that the original post contained misinformation that needed to be addressed.
   
   With that, I must bid adieu. Bedtime beckons.

[conservativguy99]

YES they were.

[Coldwater Creek]

You may be shocked to discover that there won't be any denominations in Heaven. Just Christians.

[Salvation]

And you can claim anything too, but when it comes to one — Protestant churches are so divided again and again, in fact. When it comes to Holy — I don’t think so when Protestant Churches endorse same-sex marriage and women priests, etc. Catholic — universal — no way do any of the splintered Protestant churches speak for everyone in love. And apostolic, Christ knew he was ascending into heaven and he ordained the apostles by laying hands on them and breathing on them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” If you want to deny that — then I suggest you go back and read your Bible again.

[smvoice]

Yes, the Church began before Paul. The Messianic Church, made up of the Little Flock and those believers who repented and were baptized on the day of Pentecost. Ever notice who Peter was preaching to? Israel. About Messiah. About Christ returning to set up His Kingdom. Where Israel would be a Nation of Priests and a blessing to all nations (Gentiles). And the Messianic Church will exist again, after the Church the Body of Christ is complete and removed, those tribulation saints that will go into the Kingdom when Christ returns will be a Nation of Priests and a blessing to all nations (Gentiles). Just as prophesied. And just as God's covenant with Abraham promised.

Please show one verse in Peter's preaching on the day of Pentecost that shows he knew that Christ died for his sins, was buried, and rose again. And was sharing that good news with Jew and Gentile.

[donmeaker]

It is my understanding that the Roman Catholic Church claims that it is the one True Church. So does the Orthodox, citing a series of errors they assert have been committed by the Roman Catholic Church.

So does the Presbyterian Church, citing doctrinal errors. So does the Church of Latter Day Saints citing additional revelation. So does the Reformed Church of Latter Day Saints. So do the Sunni Muslims citing additional revelation from Mohammed. So do the Shiite Muslims citing errors in selection of the Caliph.

And any one of us could go on and on. G-d seems to be too busy to post to FR, so this remains unresolved.

[ColdSteelTalon]

What are you talking about? I do not support the Catholic Church. I have no idea who founded it. Probably emperor Constantine after he made it the state Church.

[johngrace]