Hello I am new and I am a Protestant and I am here to learn about the Roman Catholic Church anyway my questions are ?

[missouricitizen]

Hello I am new and I am a Protestant and I am here to learn about the Roman Catholic Church anyway my questions are these how do Catholics know that Saint Peter the Apostle was the first Pope ? Also is there any evidence that the Roman Catholic Church is the true Church from the Holy Bible ? Also my last question is how do Roman Catholics know that the Roman Catholic Church was and is the first Christian Church as opposed to the Eastern Orthodox Church like the Greek Orthodox Church thank you ?

 

[missouricitizen]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Christianity

 

[qui_est_ce]

Hello I am new and I am a Protestant and I am here to learn about the Roman Catholic Church anyway my questions are these how do Catholics know that Saint Peter the Apostle was the first Pope ? Also is there any evidence that the Roman Catholic Church is the true Church from the Holy Bible ? Also my last question is how do Roman Catholics know that the Roman Catholic Church was and is the first Christian Church as opposed to the Eastern Orthodox Church like the Greek Orthodox Church thank you ?

It would be more correct to use the term Catholic. There are many rites within the Catholic Church. Roman rite is just one of them. The Eastern Churches were a part of the Church in Rome until the great Schism. Some, such as the Maronite, the Byzantine, and the Mekites came back into union with Rome.

St. Ignatius of Antioch was the first one to use the term “Catholic Church” around 100 AD, Chapter 8 of his letter to the Smyrnaeans.

. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.

St Ignatius was a disciple of John.

 

[Nicea325]

Hello I am new and I am a Protestant and I am here to learn about the Roman Catholic Church

Welcome!

anyway my questions are these how do Catholics know that Saint Peter the Apostle was the first Pope ?

Scripture & early church history.

Also is there any evidence that the Roman Catholic Church is the true Church from the Holy Bible ?

Why does it need to come from the Bible? When and where did God state everything must be in the Bible?

Also my last question is how do Roman Catholics know that the Roman Catholic Church was and is the first Christian Church as opposed to the Eastern Orthodox Church like the Greek Orthodox Church thank you ?

Both are the first church,unfortunately due to issues and complexities both were to blame for the split.

 

[truthsave]

When you read about history you could have the same feeling I have that sometimes theological reasons were hiding very human political reasons to justify the split between churches.
You will find solid theological justifications in both eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic.

 

[asd72]

The Eastern Orthodox and the Catholic Church were initially One Church, referred to as ‘The Way’ in Acts, and later ‘Catholic’.

The third Bishop of Rome (aka Pope), Ignatius of Antioch, who was a student of John the Apostle, used the term Catholic in 107 in a letter to the Smyrnaeans, which seemed to imply it was known among Christians then.

“Wherever the Bishop appears, there let the people be, as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church” (excerpt from letter).

The Catholic Church split into what we know as ‘The Catholic Church’ and ‘The Eastern Orthodox Church’ in the East-West Schism of 1054.

Essentially both Churches decent directly from the Apostles.

I personally am joining the Catholic Church as opposed to Eastern Orthodox because I believe the evidence supports the Bishop of Rome’s (aka Pope) position of authority.

 

[asd72]

It would be more correct to use the term Catholic. There are many rites within the Catholic Church. Roman rite is just one of them. The Eastern Churches were a part of the Church in Rome until the great Schism. Some, such as the Maronite, the Byzantine, and the Mekites came back into union with Rome.

St. Ignatius of Antioch was the first one to use the term “Catholic Church” around 100 AD, Chapter 8 of his letter to the Smyrnaeans.

St Ignatius was a disciple of John.

Yes I think many people outside the Church get mixed up between Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic.

 

[ANNE_2]

Hello I am new and I am a Protestant and I am here to learn about the Roman Catholic Church anyway my questions are these how do Catholics know that Saint Peter the Apostle was the first Pope ? Also is there any evidence that the Roman Catholic Church is the true Church from the Holy Bible ? Also my last question is how do Roman Catholics know that the Roman Catholic Church was and is the first Christian Church as opposed to the Eastern Orthodox Church like the Greek Orthodox Church thank you ?

Thank you for inquiring, they are good questions.

Please consider reading “Catholicism for Dummies” by Fathers Tragilio and Breghenti.
This book is in the Dummies series, but is approved by Church leaders. I learned alot from this book myself.
Also the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” can accurately tell you what the Church really teaches, and what Catholics are required to adhere to.

The Dummies book even gives us the names of all the Popes, etc. and shows the time lines.
The Eastern Church is in full union with the Vatican and includes the Byzantine Church and other Eastern Churches that were restored under the authority of the Bishop of Rome in the 17th century. They had separated from the authority of Rome in 1054.

St. Peter was the first head of the Church (Pope) as stated by Jesus: Bible - Matthew 16: 16-19.

 

[po18guy]

Hello I am new and I am a Protestant and I am here to learn about the Roman Catholic Church anyway my questions are these how do Catholics know that Saint Peter the Apostle was the first Pope ? Also is there any evidence that the Roman Catholic Church is the true Church from the Holy Bible ? Also my last question is how do Roman Catholics know that the Roman Catholic Church was and is the first Christian Church as opposed to the Eastern Orthodox Church like the Greek Orthodox Church thank you ?

First, and foremost, welcome! As to your questions:

1. Peter was chosen by Jesus as the “rock” on which the Church was founded. Peter is named 195 times in the New Testament. The closest is John, at only 29 times. The rest of the Apostles are mentioned even fewer times. Jesus told Peter to “strengthen your brothers.” which is one task of the Pope. Peter established the bishopric of Rome, which is the seat of the Papacy. Paul travelled to see Peter to get to know him, and also to have the circumcision question answered by the first Church council at Jerusalem. (James presided, as he was the first Bishop of Jerusalem) Online, you may find lists of each and every bishop of Rome since Peter. These are only a few of numerous reasons.
2. Each and every Catholic Priest, and Bishop can trace their hands-on ordination clear back to one of the twelve, or to Saint Paul. It is an unbroken line that began in the book of Acts. It is confirmed by the structure of the early Church, as well as the writings of the early Church fathers, who continued on after the Apostles were martyred.
3. The Orthodox Churches were in full communion and obedience to the Bishop of Rome until cultural, political and geographic differences caused them to split away - the year given is usually 1054. However, they also trace back to the Twelve Apostles, but only via their connection to the Catholic (“universal”) Church, from which they came.

A book that is an excellent resource, and which would help you greatly, is Catholicism for Dummies. I learn from my copy each time I read it. I highly recommend it.

 

[Swiss_Guy]

Hello I am new and I am a Protestant and I am here to learn about the Roman Catholic Church anyway my questions are these how do Catholics know that Saint Peter the Apostle was the first Pope ?

Scipture and Tradition

Also is there any evidence that the Roman Catholic Church is the true Church from the Holy Bible ? Also my last question is how do Roman Catholics know that the Roman Catholic Church was and is the first Christian Church as opposed to the Eastern Orthodox Church like the Greek Orthodox Church thank you ?

Yes there is evidence in it and out of it. See matthew 16:18-19, 1 timothy 3:15 (or 16, not sure which)

And the Orthodox came from the Catholic Church. Both are Apostolic, but the EO broke away. They rejected the authority of the bishop of Rome. What helped me decide which one was right is which one is united, and which one is Catholic. Plus I think Tradition sides with the Catholic Church especially in regards to Papal authority, etc.

 

[starsmurf]

Welcome!

I am a convert from a Protestant Church. Other posters have answered most of your questions but I wanted to add a little to Biblical evidence that the Catholic Church is the Church that Christ founded and to why we know St Peter was the first Pope.

I don’t have my Bible to hand at the moment, as I’m not at home, so I can’t give references, but there is a passage in the Gospels where St Peter is promised the “keys of the kingdom”. Some people have interpreted this to mean that St Peter is a sort of doorman of Heaven but it does not say the keys of heaven, but the keys of the kingdom. That phrase would have struck a chord with Israelites because at the time of King David and his decendants, the man with the keys of the kingdom was the prime minister, the man who acted in the King’s stead. So Christ is telling St Peter that he will be His representative. As St Peter says in Acts, when discussing if Judas should be replaced or not, “…his office let another take”. So we know that God intended all the offices, including St Peter’s, to continue after the original holder’s death.

Jesus tells St Peter, “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church”, He is giving the man who was at that time called Simon a new name (Peter means “rock”) and explaining why He had chosen that name. The only Church intended by Christ must be the one that is “founded” by St Peter, and that is the Catholic Church. It is also literally true, the Vatican is built on St Peter’s tomb! As the Pope is the successor of St Peter, it must be the Church that has the Pope as its leader. As that is only the Catholic Church, again it shows that only the Catholic Church can claim to be the Church founded, and intended, by Christ.

I hope this helps you. Please feel free to ask any other questions. I will keep you and your journey of faith in my prayers.

God bless

starsmurf

 

[Monica4316]

Hello I am new and I am a Protestant and I am here to learn about the Roman Catholic Church anyway my questions are these how do Catholics know that Saint Peter the Apostle was the first Pope ? Also is there any evidence that the Roman Catholic Church is the true Church from the Holy Bible ? Also my last question is how do Roman Catholics know that the Roman Catholic Church was and is the first Christian Church as opposed to the Eastern Orthodox Church like the Greek Orthodox Church thank you ?

Hi, well it might help to research the early Church Fathers and what they said about the Papacy… some of the quotes support the Catholic view, others seem to also support the Orthodox view, so it’s not completely clear cut. However, - the quotes that support the Catholic view are very clear. Here are some of them (it would be helpful to maybe look at them in context as well)

“He passed over his fall, and appointed him first of the Apostles; wherefore He said: ‘Simon, Simon,’ etc. (in Ps. cxxix. 2). God allowed him to fall, because He meant to make him ruler over the whole world… that, remembering his own fall, he might forgive those who should slip in the future.” Saint John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople (c. 387), Father and Doctor of the Church (Chrys, Hom. quod frequenter conveniendum sit 5, cf. Hom 73 in Joan 5).

“Peter, set above the Apostles.” Saint Peter, Bishop of Alexandria (306-311)(Peter of Alexandria, Canon. ix, Galland, iv. p. 98)

“Moses was succeeded by Peter, who had committed to his hands the new Church of Christ, and the true priesthood.” Saint Macarius of Egypt (371) (Macarius, Hom. xxvi. n. 23, p. 101)

"(Peter), the foundation of the Church, the Coryphaeus of the choir of the Apostles, the vehement lover of Christ …he who ran throughout the whole world, who fished the whole world; this holy Coryphaeus of the blessed choir; the ardent disciple, who was entrusted with the keys of heaven, who received the spiritual revelation. Peter, the mouth of all Apostles, the head of that company, the ruler of the whole world. Saint John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople (c. 387), Father and Doctor of the Church (De Eleemos, iii. 4; Hom. de decem mille tal. 3)

“And why, then, passing by the others, does He converse with Peter on these things? (John 21:15). He was the chosen one of the Apostles, and the mouth of the disciples, and the leader of the choir. On this account, Paul also went up on a time to see him rather than the others (Galatians 1:18). And withal, to show him that he must thenceforward have confidence, as the denial was done away with, He puts into his hands the presidency over the brethren. And He brings not forward the denial, nor reproaches him with what had past, but says, 'If you love me, preside over the brethren …and the third time He gives him the same injunction, showing what a price He sets the presidency over His own sheep. And if one should say, ‘How then did James receive the throne of Jerusalem?,’ this I would answer that He appointed this man (Peter) teacher, not of that throne, but of the whole world.” Saint John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople (c. 387), Father and Doctor of the Church (Chrysostom, In Joan. Hom. 1xxxviii. n. 1, tom. viii)

“Yielding honor to the Apostolic See and to Your Holiness, and honoring your Holiness, as one ought to honor a father, we have hastened to subject all the priests of the whole Eastern district, and to unite them to the See of your Holiness, for we do not allow of any point, however manifest and indisputable it be, which relates to the state of the Churches, not being brought to the cognizance of your Holiness, since you are the Head of all the holy Churches.” Emperor Justinian (520-533), writing to the Pope (Justinian Epist. ad. Pap. Joan. ii. Cod. Justin. lib. I. tit. 1).

“They (the Apostles) strove to learn through one, that preeminent one, Peter.”
-Saint Cyril of Alexandria (c. 424) (Cyril, Ib. 1. ix. p. 736).

“Let your Apostleship show that you have worthily succeeded to the Apostle Peter, since the Lord will work through you, as Supreme Pastor, the salvation of all.” Emperor Justinian (520-533) (Coll. Avell. Ep. 196, July 9th, 520, Justinian to Pope Hormisdas).

“I therefore beseech your holiness to persuade the most holy and blessed bishop (Pope Leo) to use his Apostolic power, and to order me to hasten to your Council. For that most holy throne (Rome) has the sovereignty over the churches throughout the universe on many grounds.”
-Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus in Syria (450) (Theodoret, Tom. iv. Epist. cxvi. Renato, p. 1197).

 

[Monica4316]

“If Paul, the herald of the truth, the trumpet of the Holy Spirit, hastened to the great Peter, to convey from him the solution to those in Antioch, who were at issue about living under the law, how much more do we, poor and humble, run to the Apostolic Throne (Rome) to receive from you (Pope Leo) healing for wounds of the Churches. For it pertains to you to have primacy in all things; for your throne is adorned with many prerogatives.”
-Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus in Syria (450) (Theodoret Ibid, Epistle Leoni)

“Neither to John, nor to any other of the disciples, did our Savior say, ‘I will give to thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven,’ but only to Peter.”
-Eulogius of Alexandria (581) (Eulogius, Lib. ii. Cont. Novatian. ap. Photium, Biblioth, cod. 280)

“…For he only speaks in vain who thinks he ought to persuade or entrap persons like myself, and does not satisfy and implore the blessed Pope of the most holy Catholic Church of the Romans, that is, the Apostolic See, which is from the incarnate of the Son of God Himself, and also all the holy synods, according to the holy canons and definitions has received universal and supreme dominion, authority, and power of binding and loosing over all the holy churches of God throughout the whole world.”
-Saint Maximus the Confessor (c. 650) (Maximus, Letter to Peter, in Mansi x, 692).

“Without whom (the Romans presiding in the seventh Council) a doctrine brought forward in the Church could not, even though confirmed by canonical decrees and by ecclesiastical usage, ever obtain full approval or currency. For it is they (the Popes of Rome) who have had assigned to them the rule in sacred things, and who have received into their hands the dignity of headship among the Apostles.”
Saint Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople (758-828) (Nicephorus, Niceph. Cpl. pro. s. imag. c 25 [Mai N. Bibl. pp. ii. 30]).

“Since to great Peter, Christ our Lord gave the office of Chief Shepherd after entrusting him with the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, to Peter or his successor must of necessity every novelty in the Catholic Church be referred. [Therefore], save us, oh most divine Head of Heads, Chief Shepherd of the Church of Heaven.”
-Saint Theodore the Studite of Constantinople (759-826), writing to Pope Leo III (Theodore, Bk. I. Ep. 23)

“Hear, O Apostolic Head, divinely-appointed Shepherd of Christ’s sheep, keybearer of the Kingdom of Heaven, Rock of the Faith upon whom the Catholic Church is built. For Peter art thou, who adornest and governest the Chair of Peter…” -Saint Theodore the Studite of Constantinople (759-826), writing to Pope Paschal (Letter of St. Theodore and four other Abbots to Pope Paschal, Bk. ii Ep. 12, Patr. Graec. 99, 1152-3)

“Order that the declaration from old Rome be received, as was the custom by Tradition of our Fathers from of old and from the beginning. For this, O Emperor, is the highests of the Churches of God, in which first Peter held the Chair, to whom the Lord said: Thou art Peter …and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
-Saint Theodore the Studite of Constantinople (759-826), writing to Emperor Michael (Theodore, Bk. II. Ep. 86)

“I witness now before God and men, they have torn themselves away from the Body of Christ, from the Supreme See (Rome), in which Christ placed the keys of the Faith, against which the gates of hell (I mean the mouth of heretics) have not prevailed, and never will until the Consummation, according to the promise of Him Who cannot lie. Let the blessed and Apostolic Paschal (Pope St. Paschal I) rejoice therefore, for he has fulfilled the work of Peter.”
-Saint Theodore the Studite of Constantinople (759-826), (Theodore Bk. II. Ep. 63).

“In truth we have seen that a manifest successor of the prince of the Apostles presides over the Roman Church. We truly believe that Christ has not deserted the Church here (Constantinople), for assistance from you has been our one and only aid from of old and from the beginning by the providence of God in the critical times. You are, indeed the untroubled and pure fount of orthodoxy from the beginning, you the calm harbor of the whole Church, far removed from the waves of heresy, you the God-chosen city of refuge.”
-Saint Theodore the Studite of Constantinople (759-826) (Letter of St. Theodore and Four Abbots to Pope Paschal).

“Let him (Patriarch Nicephorus of Constantinople) assemble a synod of those with whom he has been at variance, if it is impossible that representatives of the other Patriarchs should be present, a thing which might certainly be if the Emperor should wish the Western Patriarch (the Roman Pope) to be present, to whom is given authority over an ecumenical synod; but let him make peace and union by sending his synodical letters to the prelate of the First See.”
-Saint Theodore the Studite of Constantinople (759-826) (Theodore the Studite, Patr. Graec. 99, 1420)

 

[Monica4316]

Here is a great article by Scott Hahn where he talks about the Papacy in the Bible and specifically in Isaiah. catholic-pages.com/pope/hahn.asp

here is another resource:

catholic.com/tracts/browse/Papacy

God bless!

 

[ufamtobie]

Hello I am new and I am a Protestant and I am here to learn about the Roman Catholic Church anyway my questions are these how do Catholics know that Saint Peter the Apostle was the first Pope ? Also is there any evidence that the Roman Catholic Church is the true Church from the Holy Bible ? Also my last question is how do Roman Catholics know that the Roman Catholic Church was and is the first Christian Church as opposed to the Eastern Orthodox Church like the Greek Orthodox Church thank you ?

Missouricitizen, First of all, you are not here on your own accord but by the Power of the Holy Spirit to find out about the Catholic Church to know the Truth and become Catholic. Welcome.

Missouricitizen, you have to know truly what the word “Protestant” means to you before knowing about the Catholic Church? Why? because the definition of Protestant, will tell you, which was the First and only Church Christ founded in the Bible.

The definition of Protestant is Someone who Protests against something, am right? A Protestant is a member of any of the Christian churches that separated from the Roman Communion (the Catholic Church) during the Reformation of the 16th Century. Missouricitizen this alone should tell you that the Catholic Church came before any other church, it was the only Church that stood from the Bible.

When you attend any Protestant church whether you know it or not, you are protesting against the Catholic Church that Jesus Christ founded, the Catholic Church existed 1500 years before any Protestant church. Not only are you protesting against the Catholic Church you are protesting against Jesus Christ himself. How is a Protestant protesting against Jesus Christ? Well, did not Jesus Say: "Matt 16:18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

By attending a protestant church again whether you know it or not one is telling Jesus Christ that His first Church of the bible, did fail after all, and the gates of hell did prevail over it. It is like slapping Jesus Christ in the face whether you know it or not, But Missouricitezen, it is not your fault it was Martin Luther’s fault.

Missouricitizen, The question you asked above re: “is the Roman Catholic Church the Church of the Bible”? Well, the “Protestant reformation” itself, proves that the Roman Catholic Church was the Church of the Holy Bible. How So? Well, what other Christian Church was there to Protest against, Orthodox? NO! Why because Orthodox does not have a Pope.

MissouriCitizen, The Catholic Church has the documentation re: Peter being the First Pope and all the Popes thereafter, Google the (list of Popes) No other church has this authentic documentation, no other Church has the Documentation of it being the Church of the Bible, but only the Catholic Church. Amen

Ufam Tobie

 

[Monica4316]

Another argument based on the Bible is the grammar in Jesus’ statement: “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build My Church”. In Greek, the word for “this” refers to the nearest preceding noun, which is “Peter”. Peter means rock. Some Protestant authors say that it couldn’t have referred to Peter but to his confession, because Peter is masculine and “rock” in that sentence is feminine (petra). However, St Peter could not have been called “Petra” because he’s a man. Additionally, in the language that they probably spoke, there is no feminine/masculine distinctions in words, so it would have sounded like: “You are Rock and on this rock I will build My Church and the gates of hades will not prevail against it”. In the Bible, whenever a person’s name is changed that refers to a change in their ‘mission’. (Abraham, for example).

God bless!

 

[PJM]

=missouricitizen;8435620]Hello I am new and I am a Protestant and I am here to learn about the Roman Catholic Church anyway my questions are these how do Catholics know that Saint Peter the Apostle was the first Pope ? Also is there any evidence that the Roman Catholic Church is the true Church from the Holy Bible ? Also my last question is how do Roman Catholics know that the Roman Catholic Church was and is the first Christian Church as opposed to the Eastern Orthodox Church like the Greek Orthodox Church thank you ?

***Space limits our response; but here are a few facts about Peter:

Jesus only gave the key to His kingdom of heaven to one person: Peter; and through Peter Christ Catholic Church.***Mt. 16:15-19]

It is a historical FACT that the only Christian faith in existence until the GREAT Eastern Schism [seperation from Rome] for 1,000 YEARS is todays RCC.

While there is also Biblical evidence ; here is personal testimonies of several eary Chruch fathers:

The Early Church Fathers on The Primacy of Peter/Rome: The Early Church Fathers understood from the beginning that Peter and his successors held a place of primacy in the Church.

Clement of Rome
Accept our counsel and you will have nothing to regret. . . . If anyone disobeys the things which have been said by him [Jesus] through us, let them know that they will involve themselves in no small danger. We, however, shall be innocent of this sin and will pray with entreaty and supplication that the Creator of all may keep unharmed the number of his elect (Letter to the Corinthians 58:2, 59:1[A.D. 95]).

Ignatius of Antioch
You [the See of Rome] have envied no one, but others have you taught. I desire only that what you have enjoined in your instructions may remain in force (Epistle to the Romans 3:1 [A.D. 110]).

Irenaeus
But since it would be too long to enumerate in such a volume as this the succession of all the churches, we shall confound all those who, in whatever manner, whether through self-satisfaction or vainglory, or through blindness and wicked opinion, assemble other than where it is proper, by pointing out here the successions of the bishops of the greatest and most ancient church known to all, founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles. Peter and Paul, that church which has the tradition and the faith which comes down to us after having been announced to men by the apostles. With that church, because of its superior origin, all the churches must agree, that is, all the faithful in the whole world, and it is in her that the faithful everywhere have maintained the apostolic tradition (Against Heresies 3:3:2 [inter A.D. 180-190]).

Clement of Alexandria
[T]he blessed Peter, the chosen, the preeminent, the first among the disciples, for whom alone with himself the Savior paid the tribute [Matt. 17:27], quickly grasped and understood their meaning. And what does he say? “Behold, we have left all and have followed you” [Matt. 19:2 7, Mark 10:28] (Who is the Rich Man That is Saved? 21:3-5 [A.D. 200]).

Tertullian
[T]he Lord said to Peter, “On this rock I will build my Church, I have given you the keys of the kingdom of heaven [and] whatever you shall have bound or loosed on earth will be bound or loosed in heaven” [Matt. 16:18-19]. … Upon you, he says, I will build my Church; and I will give to you the keys, not to the Church; and whatever you shall have bound or you shall have loose and, not what they shall have bound or they shall have loosed (Modesty 21:9-10 [A.D. 220]).

Letter of Clement to James
Be it known to you, my lord, that Simon [Peter], who, for the sake of the true faith, and the most sure foundation of his doctrine, was set apart to be the foundation of the Church, and for this end was by Jesus himself, with his truthful mouth, named Peter, the first-fruits of our Lord, the first of the apostles; to whom first the Father revealed the Son; whom the Christ, with good reason, blessed; the called, and elect (Letter of Clement to James 2 [A.D, 221]).

Cyprian
With a false bishop appointed for themselves by heretics, they dare even to set sail and carry letters from schismatics and blasphemers to the Chair of Peter and to the principal church [at Rome], in which sacerdotal unity has its source" (Epistle to Cornelius [Bishop of Rome] 59:14 [A.D. 252]).

I sent you a private message also.

God Bless you,
Pat

 

[starsmurf]

Another argument based on the Bible is the grammar in Jesus’ statement: “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build My Church”. In Greek, the word for “this” refers to the nearest preceding noun, which is “Peter”. Peter means rock. Some Protestant authors say that it couldn’t have referred to Peter but to his confession, because Peter is masculine and “rock” in that sentence is feminine (petra). However, St Peter could not have been called “Petra” because he’s a man. Additionally, in the language that they probably spoke, there is no feminine/masculine distinctions in words, so it would have sounded like: “You are Rock and on this rock I will build My Church and the gates of hades will not prevail against it”. In the Bible, whenever a person’s name is changed that refers to a change in their ‘mission’. (Abraham, for example).

God bless!

The name used for Peter is not “petra” but “petros”, which is the masculine form and means a small rock or a pebble, as the word occurs twice in the sentence, once as the name, once as the thing on which Christ will build His Church. Protestant theologians argue that Jesus did not intend “petros” to be the “petra” (rock) on which He would build His Church. However, this forgets that Jesus was speaking Aramaic. In Aramaic, the name is Cephas, which means rock, so Jesus was saying that Peter was the rock on which the Church would be built.

 

[ivory]

There’s probably not much more I can contribute, but I’ll try. If there’s any inaccuracies, feel free to point them out.

how do Catholics know that Saint Peter the Apostle was the first Pope?

To that, I quote Matthew 16:18
Matthew 16:18:

And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

With this, Jesus has essentially set Peter up as the first Pope. To my knowledge, Peter did not actually bear this title in life, but the title was given to those who succeeded him as head of the Church up to the present day with Benedict XVI. And leads into my next point…

Also is there any evidence that the Roman Catholic Church is the true Church from the Holy Bible?

The Catholic Church was (still is, and always will be) the first Christian Church. The Catholic Church was built on the foundation of Peter (the rock) by none other than Jesus Christ Himself. No other Christian denomination can claim that. And as was said before, the Protestants split off from the Catholic Church. Protestantism was founded by Martin Luther and his followers in the 16th century because of things that Luther saw as issues with the Church. The legitimacy of those complaints are not the subject of the thread, however.

how do Roman Catholics know that the Roman Catholic Church was and is the first Christian Church as opposed to the Eastern Orthodox Church like the Greek Orthodox Church

Qui est ce has summed this point better than I could.
qui est ce:

It would be more correct to use the term Catholic. There are many rites within the Catholic Church. Roman rite is just one of them. The Eastern Churches were a part of the Church in Rome until the great Schism. Some, such as the Maronite, the Byzantine, and the Mekites came back into union with Rome.

Hope this helps. God bless.

 

[qui_est_ce]

The definition of Protestant is** Someone who Protests** against something, am right? A Protestant is a member of any of the Christian churches that separated from the Roman Communion (the Catholic Church) during the Reformation of the 16th Century. Missouricitizen this alone should tell you that the Catholic Church came before any other church, it was the only Church that stood from the Bible.

Ufam Tobie

Dr Paul Devantier of “By the Way” a Luther LCMS pastor defines Protestant as testifying for the Truth Pro (for ) Testant - testify.