Did Christ institute One (Apostolic) Church? Part II
Verifying the claims of the Catholic Church
“And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock.” [Matthew 7:25]
The unbroken succession of the apostles and the other disciples are all part of the teaching authority (Magisterium) of the Church that Christ established. This Church - the House of God, is also the Kingdom of God, (because God is King and kings have kingdoms.) Thus, Christ says, “And heal the sick that are therein, and say to them: The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you” [Luke 10:9].
The work of Christ was healing not just our sick bodies, but our sick souls of the mortal disease of sin. He therefore, sends out His apostles and disciples to preach and heal and establish the Kingdom of God — the Catholic Church. Its’ standing for 2000 years, all through its rough history, is proof enough that God is with it. The Roman Martyrology1 shows how this Church has been hated and persecuted, all through history; but still remains standing, recalling the words of Christ, “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock.” [Matthew 7:25]
We should follow the Bible
People who are born centuries after the Protestant revolt, are sometimes unaware of the whole story and they take the Bible as their rock of Faith or the Pillar of truth, but the Holy Bible, actually speaks differently about what really is the pillar of Faith:
“the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” [1 Timothy 3:15].
In fact, the Holy Bible itself came from the Catholic Church, it was St. Jerome2, who between AD 383 and 404 translated3 the Scriptures from the Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic texts into the Latin Vulgate4. Thus, Christian groups who hold the Bible and reject the Catholic Church have to do some soul searching, because they accept the authority of the Church on the Bible, and yet stay far away from the same Church. Its a tough situation to be in. Bad people in the Church are a bad argument, because we cannot reject Christ for the sake of Judas. Betrayers of Christ have only increased as the size of the Church has increased. Should we leave Christ for their sake? Isn’t it worth standing alone with St. John and The Blessed Mother at the foot of the Cross, when every other follower has abandoned the Savior of mankind?
Faith then cometh by hearing
“But all do not obey the gospel. For Isaias saith: Lord, who hath believed our report? Faith then cometh by hearing; and hearing by the word of Christ.” [Romans 10:16-17].
Thus, the Holy Bible although it is the written Word of God, it speaks of Faith coming from listening, because we should know that as humans we cannot understand God, unless He Himself teaches us. Thus, we can read the Bible, but we can never claim to fully understand it, because it was not the intent of God to teach us through the Bible alone. Christ intended to teach through His Church — His apostles and their followers. This is the Apostolic character of the True Church, (the pillar and ground of the truth.” [1 Timothy 3:15]) going back to the apostles, who lived with Christ for three years during His earthly ministry. These were not men, who studied a book, they lived with the Word of God, Incarnate. They were the first witnesses to what we only read. Thus, only the Apostolic Church can say these words to those who reject Her:
Amen, amen I say to thee, that we speak what we know, and we testify what we have seen, and you receive not our testimony. [John 3:11]
These apostles, were chosen by Christ,
But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth. [Acts Of Apostles 1:8]
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
[Acts of Apostles 4:20]
We read in the New Testament how Christ taught in parables and later explained everything to His apostles. Also, during the forty days after His Resurrection, Christ taught His disciples many things, which are not written down. He worked signs, which are not recorded, “Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book.” [John 20:30]. This doesn’t mean that they are lost. Can the things of God be lost? “Jesus answered them, and said: My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.” [John 7:16]. This doctrine which is for our salvation, where is it, if its not written down? It is with the Church, to whom Christ promised the Holy Ghost, “But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you.” [John 14:26]
St. Paul says, “And God indeed hath set some in the church; first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly doctors; after that miracles; then the graces of healing, helps, governments, kinds of tongues, interpretations of speeches. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all doctors? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the grace of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” [1 Corinthians 12:30]
Thus, the Bible itself warns us about being interpreters ourselves, we need the people God has set in place to teach us to interpret His Word.
Speaking about the writings of St. Paul, St. Peter states: “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, brethren, knowing these things before, take heed, lest being led aside by the error of the unwise, you fall from your own steadfastness.”[2 Peter 3:16-17]
So after reading these passages and books of Scripture, if someone continues to assume that Christ left us orphans, without a Teaching Magisterium, without a Mother (Church) to guide us home, then he will reject the Church set up by Jesus Christ. He will remain outside this Church, only to hear these words of Christ spoke to His apostles:
“To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing may not understand.” [Luke 8:10]
Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 7:21]
References:
https://www.ecatholic2000.com/roman-martyrology/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Jerome
https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08341a.htm