question

[litesobrite]

Hi.
I have some questions that I am unsure of. Perhaps someone who is more familiar or mature in the Catholic faith could provide me with a greater understanding.

1. Ok, Is the Catholic Church considered the only true church?
2. What makes Catholicism different than the other religions? This question stems from living in a religious blur. Sometimes I have difficulty distinguishing one religion from another.

Thanks for your time and I’ll be anticipating a response.

 

[jpjd]

1. Catholics do consider Catholicism to be the one true Church, because it was founded by Christ.

(Matthew 16:18] And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.
19] 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." )

This established Jesus’ Church on earth, with Peter as the first pope. It is the one true Church.

All other Protestant denominations were started by men who broke away from the Church because they disagreed with a teaching(s). Protestants decide what they believe and find a church to fit. The Catholic Church proclaims the teachings of Jesus and we must believe them, even if some are difficult teachings.

(John 6: These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
60]Then many of his disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” …66] As a result of this, many (of) his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. 67] Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” 68] Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”)

1. The main thing that differentiates the Catholic Church from other denominations is, Catholics believe that in the Mass, when the priest consecrates (makes holy) the bread and wine, they become the Body and Blood of Christ.

(Luke 22: 19] And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
20] And likewise the cup after supper, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.)

 

[Beaver]

litesobrite:

Hi.
I have some questions that I am unsure of. Perhaps someone who is more familiar or mature in the Catholic faith could provide me with a greater understanding.

1. Ok, Is the Catholic Church considered the only true church? YES

litesobrite:

1. What makes Catholicism different than the other religions? This question stems from living in a religious blur. Sometimes I have difficulty distinguishing one religion from another.

We have the Arc of the Covenant(THE REAL PRESENCE) just like the Isrealites did as they crossed Jordan.

Thanks for your time and I’ll be anticipating a response.

 

[Catherine_Grant]

As this thread is about the teachings of the church, it was moved into the Apologetics forum. You should receive the help you are looking for here!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

litesobrite:

Hi.
I have some questions that I am unsure of. Perhaps someone who is more familiar or mature in the Catholic faith could provide me with a greater understanding.

1. Ok, Is the Catholic Church considered the only true church?
2. What makes Catholicism different than the other religions? This question stems from living in a religious blur. Sometimes I have difficulty distinguishing one religion from another.

Thanks for your time and I’ll be anticipating a response.

1. Yes, at least according to the Scriptures.
2. It was founded by Christ. Instead of being founded by men for the purpose of following certain teachings of Christ. Many pick and choose what to believe. The Catholic Church has no choice it must believe and teach ALL that Christ taught.

 

[Thal59]

1. Ok, Is the Catholic Church considered the only true church?<<<

Yes,… at least by Catholics.

1. What makes Catholicism different than the other religions?<<<

There are a number of differences but the most important are:

1. It is the only Apostolic curch that goes back to the first Pentecost, therefore it is the ONLY authorized church.
2. Its doctrines and dogma have not changed since it is guided by the Holy Spirit into all truth as per the Lord’s promises.

As an example…

Before 1930, every recognized Protestant denominations stood with Catholics against contraceptives and/or abortion on biblical grounds. The Anglican church of England in 1930 was the first to cave-in to the pressures of it congregation and made allowences for contraceptives and/or abortion. In only about 50 years after that, every recognized Protestant denomination one earth has also flip-flopped on that issue.

The Catholic church has not. In the Didache, circa 100-140 AD, you will find… Thou shalt not procure an abortion, nor take the life of the new-born child.

The Catholic Church has maintained its stand on this particular issue for almost 2,000 years. Some Protestant denominations have not been able to hold their original beliefs for even a few centuries.

Thal59

 

[Todd_Easton]

The Catholic Church believes that the Church established by Jesus Christ subsists in the Catholic Church. In other words, the Catholic Church believes that it possesses all the gifts Jesus meant for His followers:
-the seven Sacraments of His grace: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Confession, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders.
-the entire revelation of Jesus Christ and his Apostles, contained in both Apostolic Traditions and in Sacred Scripture (Bible).
-authoritative leaders and teachers in the Pope and the other Catholic bishops in union with him who can with the protection of the Holy Spirit infallibly interpret Apostolic Traditions and Sacred Scripture in matters of faith and morals.

The Catholic Church believes that local Churches led by validly ordained bishops are true Churches. Thus, Catholic Church considers the various Orthodox Churches to be true Churches. Most other Christian church-like communities do not have validly ordained bishops and so are not considered true Churches. However, these communities may contain some of the gifts Jesus intended for his disciples, such as Baptism, Marriage, and the Bible (or at an abridged version of the Bible).

 

[tjmiller]

What makes the Catholic Religion different than all the others?
It is the only TRUE religion.

 

[hurst]

2. What makes Catholicism different than the other religions?

We are required to actually obey the human authorities above us who represent Christ, who themselves are obliged to obey the single point of authority in the Church, namely, the Pope. We are expected to entrust them with our soul, and to obey in matters pertaining to faith, morals and church discipline.

In a word: Obedience.

Protestants do not have this, Buddhism does not have it, Hinduism doesn’t come close, Islam does not have it, nothing else I know of has this requirement. Let me know if you discover otherwise, a religion with a single point of absolute authority claiming to come from God Himself, and having endured for thousands of years visible to the world. An authority, moreover, governing the faithful to shepherd them to heaven, feeding them with bread from heaven and reconciling them in the person of their local priests who are approachable as one of their own.

Note that not all who profess to be Catholic are actually being obedient. They are a scandal, and it is worse when they know better. Many do not know better due to poor catechesis, though.

hurst