"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor..."To learn more about the marks of a true Christian refer to Romans 12:9-21.
Christ through Saint Paul in the book of Romans gives us the standard that we must follow. Being a Christian is not just something you believe in it is also something that you do! Believing is one thing, but we are called to act on what we believe. The Catholic and the non-Catholic alike are subject to these standards which are Christ's! There are so many more verses that I could show you here to make the point, but I think you will get it.
Now that we know what a Christian is and DOES, lets take a quick look at a verse that tells us what a Christian most definitely is not. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 7:21
"Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son." 1 John 2:22Along with not acting like a Christian another way to NOT be a Christian is to be "antichrist" and not a Christian. Any denomination that denies Christ is "antichrist." Catholics as well as other Christian denominations do not fall into this category who profess a belief and obedience to Christ at least most of the time
"for all have sinned and fall short to the Glory of God." Romans 3:23Romans 3:23 is no excuse to do what you wish even commit sin because our Lord also says, "You therefor must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" Matthew 5:48 The thing here is we as Christians are called to a higher standard and must do our very best to meet those expectations if we want to reach the goal which is heavenly perfection and the beatific vision (seeing God as he is.) This is where the Sacraments of the Catholic Church come in which I will talk a little bit about. This article is not about Sacraments so I strongly encourage you to learn more about them.
A little bit on the Apostolic Church.
The Catholic Church is The Apostolic Church which was founded on the Rock of Christ who then passed on this authority to Peter his first Apostle who is also a rock to act in "Persona Christi" (in the person of Christ) for his Church here on earth.
The reason why Catholics are called Catholic is to differentiate the Catholic with the non-Catholic. Starting in the first century of Christianity there were a lot of people claiming to be Christians, (not much has changed) but were not among the sect of the Apostles. And in many cases teaching something other than what the Apostles taught.
Saint Ignatius' quote is also interesting because he was Bishop of Antioch in the 2nd century less than a century after Acts of the Apostles was written. Antioch is also the place where the followers of Christ are first called Christians.
There is so much more I could say on this that I could write a book on it. In fact many books have been written on them as well. Let me recommend first anything by Scott Hahn. Please take a look at my recommended reading page on this blog for a nice list of books that I have read. You may also want to refer to the Catholic answers website and most importantly the Catechism of the Catholic Church for more information. The Catechism link above that I have provided you will take you to the Apostolic succession page in the Catechism. I think you will find it helpful if you will take the time to read it. Also keep in mind that the Catechism is always available online for free for your reading pleasure.
Many people make lots of claims about the Catholic Church claiming to know what the Church teaches on one teaching or another. I have found that most people have a lot to say regarding what the Catholic Church teaches and most are acting upon misinformation that has been given to them sometimes even among Catholics them selves.
Unfortunately many Catholics have not read much of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I want to urge all Catholics and non Catholics alike to pick it up and study it along with your bible.
The Catechism helps us to study scripture in the light of Christ resurrected and in light of the almost 2,000 year history and tradition of the Church! I also often wonder how many people who claim to know what the Church teaches actually have read the Catechism. From my experience those who appose the Church's teachings have not read even one line in the Catechism, and do not understand the biblical origin of her teachings.
How about you?
Speaking for my self I have it, and read it often, and love it. I make it a regular part of my spiritual reading. I have just gotten it also for my Kindle for more convenient reading that way anytime I promote a religious or spiritual view it is in line with authentic teachings of the Apostolic Church. I find it a very beautiful, Theological book which loves and honors Christ.
For more information about the early Church Fathers like Saint Ignatius is The Fathers Know Best
by Jimmy Akin. You can also read many of the writings of people like Saint Ignatius online just by doing a search.
Please also take a look at these previous posts:
Eucharist in Scripture Study Guide
And feel free to take a look at the Bible Study page at the top of this blog :)
Thank you for your time and the likes to this page.
God bless! From Joanne Utke
Quotes used in this article:
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 7:21
1 John 2:22
Romans 3:23
Matthew 5:48
Matthew 16:18-19
2 Thessalonians 2:15, 3:6
Acts 11:26
Ephesians 4:5
LETTER TO THE SMYRNAEANS - ST. IGNATIUS BISHOP OF ANTIOCH, AD 110
"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”" Matthew 16:18-19This Church was to be an everlasting Church that exists both in heaven and on earth simultaneously encompassing all believers from all corners of the world, a Universal Church founded by Christ himself! This Catholic Church is given by Christ the authority to "bind and loose." In other words to bind the things of heaven right here on earth like the seven Sacraments (Baptism, etc..) and to loose also as in the nullification of a marriage, etc.. Regarding Sacraments this is how I define it, "a Sacrament is the physical reality of a spiritual good." You can also say that they are channels God uses to distribute his Grace. Catholics are in fact Christians as all who have faith in Christ the Son of God are. Don't you ever let anyone tell you other wise especially if your Catholic! Give this article to them or others like it. This is a common misconception among non Catholics. Here is a little history on the word Catholic being used to represent the early Church Christ founded. The word Catholic comes from the Greek word for "Universal" you can look it up in the dictionary to see that. It signifies the Universal Church that Christ established through the Apostles which included not only Jews, but Gentiles as well. In other words Everyone!
The reason why Catholics are called Catholic is to differentiate the Catholic with the non-Catholic. Starting in the first century of Christianity there were a lot of people claiming to be Christians, (not much has changed) but were not among the sect of the Apostles. And in many cases teaching something other than what the Apostles taught.
"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter." 2 Thessalonians 2:15
"Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us." 2 Thessalonians 3:6The term Catholic was coined to identify those Christians who follow Christ's Church through the Apostles (Apostolic Church) and the others. The earliest record of the early Church being Called Catholic exists in the writings of Saint Ignatius of Antioch and later writings from many other Fathers of the Church contain the term Catholic as well when referring to the Apostolic Church.
"You must all follow the bishop as Jesus Christ follows the Father, and the presbytery as you would the Apostles. Reverence the deacons as you would the command of God. Let no one do anything of concern to the Church without the bishop. Let that be considered a valid Eucharist which is celebrated by the bishop, or by one whom he appoints. Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. Nor is it permitted without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate the agape; but whatever he approve, this too is pleasing to God, so that whatever is done will be secure and valid."This Saint Ignatius quote is taken from a very early Christian erra--- (LETTER TO THE SMYRNAEANS - ST. IGNATIUS BISHOP OF ANTIOCH, AD 110 (2nd century) The Faith of the early Fathers page 25, section 65.)
Saint Ignatius' quote is also interesting because he was Bishop of Antioch in the 2nd century less than a century after Acts of the Apostles was written. Antioch is also the place where the followers of Christ are first called Christians.
"The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." Acts 11:26Also notice that Ignatius also mentions that this early Church consisted of bishops, presbyters (which are priests), reverence to the deacons, and the validity of the Sacraments, like Eucharist, baptism and the mass in the Catholic Church alone. Which confirms what scripture teaches us about there being one faith and one baptism!
"one Lord, one faith, one baptism" Ephesians 4:5
There is so much more I could say on this that I could write a book on it. In fact many books have been written on them as well. Let me recommend first anything by Scott Hahn. Please take a look at my recommended reading page on this blog for a nice list of books that I have read. You may also want to refer to the Catholic answers website and most importantly the Catechism of the Catholic Church for more information. The Catechism link above that I have provided you will take you to the Apostolic succession page in the Catechism. I think you will find it helpful if you will take the time to read it. Also keep in mind that the Catechism is always available online for free for your reading pleasure.
Many people make lots of claims about the Catholic Church claiming to know what the Church teaches on one teaching or another. I have found that most people have a lot to say regarding what the Catholic Church teaches and most are acting upon misinformation that has been given to them sometimes even among Catholics them selves.
Unfortunately many Catholics have not read much of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I want to urge all Catholics and non Catholics alike to pick it up and study it along with your bible.
The Catechism helps us to study scripture in the light of Christ resurrected and in light of the almost 2,000 year history and tradition of the Church! I also often wonder how many people who claim to know what the Church teaches actually have read the Catechism. From my experience those who appose the Church's teachings have not read even one line in the Catechism, and do not understand the biblical origin of her teachings.
How about you?
Speaking for my self I have it, and read it often, and love it. I make it a regular part of my spiritual reading. I have just gotten it also for my Kindle for more convenient reading that way anytime I promote a religious or spiritual view it is in line with authentic teachings of the Apostolic Church. I find it a very beautiful, Theological book which loves and honors Christ.
For more information about the early Church Fathers like Saint Ignatius is The Fathers Know Best
by Jimmy Akin. You can also read many of the writings of people like Saint Ignatius online just by doing a search.
Please also take a look at these previous posts:
Eucharist in Scripture Study Guide
And feel free to take a look at the Bible Study page at the top of this blog :)
Thank you for your time and the likes to this page.
God bless! From Joanne Utke
Quotes used in this article:
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 7:21
1 John 2:22
Romans 3:23
Matthew 5:48
Matthew 16:18-19
2 Thessalonians 2:15, 3:6
Acts 11:26
Ephesians 4:5
LETTER TO THE SMYRNAEANS - ST. IGNATIUS BISHOP OF ANTIOCH, AD 110
All bible quotes are taken from the English Standard Version of the bible which I happen to love!
