Scripture that define catholicism as "the one"

[Zundrah]

What scriptures can I look up that confirm that the catholic church is the one true church?
I have studied that scripture where Jesus says “On this Rock” to peter and that is all I need to be convinced, but what other definitions are there for me to study?

 

[Verbum]

Hi Zundra,

For an extensive presentation on the Church, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church by clicking here : scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p3.htm#865

Verbum

 

[JRKH]

Actually, At least for me, knowing that the Catholic Church is THE Church founded by Christ is a combination of Scripture and history. the fact is, as noncatholics are quick to point out, the word catholic never appears in the bible.
Of course NCC’s make the mistake of trying to measure the Church against the Bible when in fact the Bible is Part of the Sacred Traditionof the Church and comes from Her. We have an authoritative Bible only becuase we have an authoritative Church.

As far as scripture is concerned we can point to the verses where Jesus and St Paul pray that the believers be of one mind. That is have one creed and one belief. Not being all over the place.

We can look at the passage in Matthew 18:15-18 that demonstrate that the Church (singular) has the last say in matters (including the sin of preaching a false Gospel)
You will note that the word Church is only used twice in the Gospels. Both times in Matthew and Both times in connection to granting authority (Keys, and Bind and loose).
So the Above passage along with Matthew 16:13-19 make clear that the Church is one and authoritative which flies in the face of the “body of believers” definition that protestants like to give.

This same authoritative Church is what Paul calls the “Pillar and Foundation of Truth”.

We can also look at the Council of Jerusalem in Acts and see that the Church acts in an authoritative way to resolve, in council at Jerusalem a matter that is effecting the Church at Antioch. The decisioin taken at Jerusalem was binding on the Universal Church and not just the congregation at Antioch.

Once we move into the realm of “extra-biblical sources” which includes the development of the Bible, things become even more convincing. There is a Body of writings by Early Christians known as the Early Christian Fathers (ECF’s) that support the development of the Church under the rule of the Bishops with the “Bishop of Rome” as the successor to St Peter. The Term Catholic is first mentioned in the ECF’s around 125 AD I believe. Not as the name of the Church, but to define that this one Church is “Universal”. (Catholic)

The development and compiling of the canon of the Bible is also part of Church history. The councils that compiled them took place at the end of the 4th century which means that for almost 400 years the Church did not have a universally defined “Bible” as we know it today. They had the OT and various books and letters handed down and passed around. It was the Catholic Church, acting in council and under the protection of the Holy Spirit, that compiled the Bible as we have it today. It is upon the Christ Given Authority of the Church that we believe that the books contained therein are inspired.

I know this is a lot to try and take in and digest, but I hope some of it gives you greater confidence in your studies.

Peace
James

 

[PJM]

=Zundrah;5344329]What scriptures can I look up that confirm that the catholic church is the one true church?

I have studied that scripture where Jesus says “On this Rock” to peter and that is all I need to be convinced, but what other definitions are there for me to study?

**A point of applied logic before I respond to your question.

If one takes the bible as “a body of work” and recognizes that the OT gives foundational historical evidence and has a very evident Prophetic aspect leading to the NT. While the NT is the fulfilling and perfecting of the OT, continuity of purpose becomes evident and Mt. 16: 18-19 and Mt. 18:18 can be understood as a Mission Statement of both authority to govern and purpose for its creation by Christ.

It is this perspective that the OT and NT are not disjointed, but very much the first and second half of the same story, where “fulfillment and perfection” are key to understanding.**

***Hebrews 8: 13 provides the first clue: “In speaking of a new covenant he treats the first as obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. “

Follow this up with: 1 Cor. 11: 23 [which very significantly is the first book written in the NT, while some of the Apostles were still alive.] “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Several insights are to be gleamed from this passage.*

New Covenant means that it does away with and voids the previous Covenant.

This Covenant is both New and Perfected. “Not with the blood of animals,” but by the Blood Of Jesus Christ; “the Lamb of God.” Consequently this is the ONLY Covenant that cannot be broken! There can be no additional new Covenants ever.

This New Covenant intentionally uses the Jewish “Passover” [a time in history that God SAVES His chosen people through the spreading of Blood] to make clear that what is being accomplished here has even a greater significance than the Old Passover, because the blood that seals and ratifies the New and everlasting Covenant is not just “the blood of the Pascal lamb”; no, it is the Sacred Blood of the Pascal Lamb who is God!

With the words “do this in memory of Me.” Jesus creates the New Priesthood, replacing and surpassing in power and significance the OT priesthood of Aaron. [Exodus chapter 29]. The new priesthood is empowered to Make Christ truly and really present in the Eucharist; to forgive sins [1Jn. 5: 16-17, and Jn.20; 22-23.], to expel demons, heal the sick, and to spread and teach this new religions that flows naturally out of the New Covenant.

Christ gives His very life as a guarantee the SINGLE TRUTH on all matters of Faith and or Morals shall reside for all time in His one true Church. The Roman Catholic Church. He promises to send the Holy Spirit to insure this reality, and as evidence of this pledge, He further promises that His Church, His Church, will last forever. [Mt. 16:19]. Now 2,000 years later we see indisputable evidence of this truth, because after all this time, there is still just One Catholic Church [with regional branches] that continue to hold to a single set of common beliefs. One Church, One Faith, One Baptism, One Bible, One set of Dogma’s, Doctrines and sacred Traditions that can be traced back to the Apostles, and an unbroken line of Popes, now numbering 265. Please see: 2 Cor. 13: 8; 2 Tim. 1: 13-14; Jn. 16: 12; 15; Jn. 17: 14-19; Jn. 14: 15-17; and Jn. 14:25, the evidence is here.]

Add to this the Seven Sacraments; all instituted by Jesus Himself, making His Catholic church, the only place that Heaven meets Earth in our Holy Liturgy [that is very close to the very Liturgy format of the Apostles], and the only place one can know with certainty, that our sins are forgiven, in the Sacrament of Confession. We have no need to guess or postulate; we have Christ personal word for its truth. [Jn.20: 22-23.] Now we are able to understand that it is God Himself that affirms and confirms that this is His Church, because it is God Himself who keeps us One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic! There can be no other explanation for our continued existence and dominance!**

Love and prayers,

Pat

 

[Zundrah]

Fantastic, I have lots to chew on here!

Thank you,
PJM
JRKH
Verbum
I can work on this now!
Thanks again!

 

[PJM]

=Zundrah;5344329]What scriptures can I look up that confirm that the catholic church is the one true church?
I have studied that scripture where Jesus says “On this Rock” to peter and that is all I need to be convinced, but what other definitions are there for me to study?

But do you actually understand it?

Eph. Ch. 4, and all that speak of any of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ; Jn, 20-23-23, and Jn, 3:5 for example alond with 1 Cor. ch. 11.

your Bible doesn’t say that Christ’s Church is one denomination. It also doesn’t name the church in Rome as the only true church. It is you who will not see the truth.

My dear friend in Christ Jesus.

Of course it does! My bible does and if you use the KJV so does yours!

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18And **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.”

Please do not take the enlarged letters as yelling. I simply wish to make it easy for you to see EXACTLY what YOUR God and Ours is clearly saying!

Note the following please.

Jesus Himself is speaking directly to and only to Peter (with others listening).

NOTE the use of SINGULAR TENSE WORDS.

“I” = Jesus
“You” = Peter (EACH time “you” is used!)
“ The Keys” = only one set of keys = only access to heaven is being granted to Peter.
“This rock” = PETER (singular)
“church” SINGULAR = One, = One Denomination!

“The Church” did not move to Rome until after Jerusalem was destroyed for the Second Time, roughly 75 years after Jesus died. Now look at verse # 19.

The terms “bind and loose” are highly significant and important.

They were well known, often-used Legal and Binding “At Law” terms for complete, uninhibited, unrestricted total control and governance of what ever they were applied to. In this case the One True Church founded by Jesus to be governed by St. Peter and subsequent Pontiffs.

There has been a historically provable unbroken and consecutive line of Popes. I can provide specific names and dates if you wish. This unbroken line goes from St. Peter, right up to our present Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI.

Does Jesus say the power to governance is transferable? Yep, read verse 19 and my explanation of it. Really, would Jesus found His Church and expect to die with Peter? Does your church die if your pastor is called “home?” Of course NOT!

Nor would Jesus began a church for just a few years!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Note that there is to be

So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.

John 10:16
and the designated shepherd is the one designated to feed and tend the sheep

15* When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16* A second time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.

John 21:15-17

 

[Zundrah]

Note that there is to be John 10:16
and the designated shepherd is the one designated to feed and tend the sheep John 21:15-17

We should all feed his sheep. …but Jesus said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, three times you will deny me.”

Peter failed Christ, we all failed Christ. That is why he had to die, because deep down he knew that we all would fail him. Life is about surrender, Christ surrendered for us. He had to die because we are so unreliable. Humans are so weak, but thank the great Lord, our savior that because of him we may live.

 

[Zundrah]

But do you actually understand it?

Eph. Ch. 4, and all that speak of any of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ; Jn, 20-23-23, and Jn, 3:5 for example alond with 1 Cor. ch. 11.

My dear friend in Christ Jesus.

Of course it does! My bible does and if you use the KJV so does yours!

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18And **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.”

Please do not take the enlarged letters as yelling. I simply wish to make it easy for you to see EXACTLY what YOUR God and Ours is clearly saying!

Note the following please.

Jesus Himself is speaking directly to and only to Peter (with others listening).

NOTE the use of SINGULAR TENSE WORDS.

“I” = Jesus
“You” = Peter (EACH time “you” is used!)
“ The Keys” = only one set of keys = only access to heaven is being granted to Peter.
“This rock” = PETER (singular)
“church” SINGULAR = One, = One Denomination!

“The Church” did not move to Rome until after Jerusalem was destroyed for the Second Time, roughly 75 years after Jesus died. Now look at verse # 19.

The terms “bind and loose” are highly significant and important.

They were well known, often-used Legal and Binding “At Law” terms for complete, uninhibited, unrestricted total control and governance of what ever they were applied to. In this case the One True Church founded by Jesus to be governed by St. Peter and subsequent Pontiffs.

There has been a historically provable unbroken and consecutive line of Popes. I can provide specific names and dates if you wish. This unbroken line goes from St. Peter, right up to our present Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI.

Does Jesus say the power to governance is transferable? Yep, read verse 19 and my explanation of it. Really, would Jesus found His Church and expect to die with Peter? Does your church die if your pastor is called “home?” Of course NOT!

Nor would Jesus began a church for just a few years!

Thank you for your help PJM, this covers a lot of things up.:bible1:

 

[JRKH]

We should all feed his sheep. …but Jesus said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, three times you will deny me.”

Peter failed Christ, we all failed Christ. That is why he had to die, because deep down he knew that we all would fail him. Life is about surrender, Christ surrendered for us. He had to die because we are so unreliable. Humans are so weak, but thank the great Lord, our savior that because of him we may live.

I’m not sure what you are saying here, but you asked for Bible passages that support the unity of the Catholic Church and this is a good one.

Yes Peter did falter, but he did not fail. Why you may ask?
Because Peter repented, was forgiven and restored. This is the prime difference between Peter and Judas. Judas, when he realized what he had done, really did fail in his faith and killed himself. Peter, did not fail in his faith and repented.

Peace
James

 

[Zundrah]

I’m not sure what you are saying here, but you asked for Bible passages that support the unity of the Catholic Church and this is a good one.

Yes Peter did falter, but he did not fail. Why you may ask?
Because Peter repented, was forgiven and restored. This is the prime difference between Peter and Judas. Judas, when he realized what he had done, really did fail in his faith and killed himself. Peter, did not fail in his faith and repented.

Peace
James

oh, I must have got emotional ( I am bouncing back and forth from thread to thread so I have carried my emotions with me to this one).

Christ did place a covenant with Peter and I believe that.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

We should all feed his sheep. …but Jesus said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, three times you will deny me.”

Peter failed Christ, we all failed Christ. That is why he had to die, because deep down he knew that we all would fail him. Life is about surrender, Christ surrendered for us. He had to die because we are so unreliable. Humans are so weak, but thank the great Lord, our savior that because of him we may live.

While we all should help in caring for the sheep, Jesus gave the office of Shepherd to Peter; and this after Peter had denied him.

I think it significant that there are only two charcoal fires mentioned in the Gospels, both in John. The first

17* The maid who kept the door said to Peter, “Are not you also one of this man’s disciples?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves; Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

John 18:17-18 where Peter denies Jesus and the second

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. . . … 15* When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16* A second time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.

John 21:9-17 where Jesus gives the office of shepherd to Peter.

John seems to have made a special effort to tie the two scenes together.

 

[Peter_Dawson]

What scriptures can I look up that confirm that the catholic church is the one true church?
I have studied that scripture where Jesus says “On this Rock” to peter and that is all I need to be convinced, but what other definitions are there for me to study?

Hi, Zundrah.

Scripture does not speak at just the luteral level. It says most of what it says in symbolic verses, called “typological word pictures.”

So, for instance, go to Luke 5…

1 While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
2 He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
3 Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
Luke 5:1-3.

In the Bible, large bodies of water, like the Lake of Gennesaret, symbolize “the sea of damnable souls.”

“Two” symbolizes “the Church.”

“Boat” symbolizes “the Church.”

“Sitting” symbolizes “presiding.”

So, now, see what we have in this story…Jesus PRESIDING (sitting) in His CHURCH (one of two boats) preaching to the SAVED (because the people are on the shore – NOT IN THE “SEA OF DAMNABLE SOULS”)!).

Now, note well: Whose boat is Jesus sitting in?

The boat of Simon – St. Peter!

So, look for “the Church of the Popes”!

Get it?

Here’s another word picture that helps belief in the Church…

When Jesus is born, Mary wraps Him in swaddling clothes and lays Him in the manger. Luke 2:7.

Note that wrapping Jesus in swaddling clothes makes Him look like a dead person wrapped-up in a burial shroud. Also note that Jesus, by lying in the manger, which is a feeding trough, is lying on a kind of “dinner plate.” In effect, you are looking at a picture of Jesus’ actual dead body being served up as food on a dinner plate!

In what form?

Well, where did this take place? In “Bethlehem.” Luke 2:4, 15. “Bethlehem” is Hebrew meaning “House of Bread”!

So, in looking for the true church, what should you look for? Look for the Church where the dead body of Christ is served as food in a House of Bread!

 

[Zundrah]

Hi, Zundrah.

Scripture does not speak at just the luteral level. It says most of what it says in symbolic verses, called “typological word pictures.”

So, for instance, go to Luke 5…

1 While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
2 He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
3 Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
Luke 5:1-3.

In the Bible, large bodies of water, like the Lake of Gennesaret, symbolize “the sea of damnable souls.”

“Two” symbolizes “the Church.”

“Boat” symbolizes “the Church.”

“Sitting” symbolizes “presiding.”

So, now, see what we have in this story…Jesus PRESIDING (sitting) in His CHURCH (one of two boats) preaching to the SAVED (because the people are on the shore – NOT IN THE “SEA OF DAMNABLE SOULS”)!).

Now, note well: Whose boat is Jesus sitting in?

The boat of Simon – St. Peter!

So, look for “the Church of the Popes”!

Get it?

Here’s another word picture that helps belief in the Church…

When Jesus is born, Mary wraps Him in swaddling clothes and lays Him in the manger. Luke 2:7.

Note that wrapping Jesus in swaddling clothes makes Him look like a dead person wrapped-up in a burial shroud. Also note that Jesus, by lying in the manger, which is a feeding trough, is lying on a kind of “dinner plate.” In effect, you are looking at a picture of Jesus’ actual dead body being served up as food on a dinner plate!

In what form?

Well, where did this take place? In “Bethlehem.” Luke 2:4, 15. “Bethlehem” is Hebrew meaning “House of Bread”!

So, in looking for the true church, what should you look for? Look for the Church where the dead body of Christ is served as food in a House of Bread!

Wow Peter Dawson, you really went to town here didn’t you!
How did you work all of this out? This must have taken some research to discover but God did say, “I shall reveal to you the secrets that were lots through the ages.”
He certainly has revealed them to you! Thank you for this!

 

[Peter_Dawson]

Wow Peter Dawson, you really went to town here didn’t you!
How did you work all of this out? This must have taken some research to discover but God did say, “I shall reveal to you the secrets that were lots through the ages.”
He certainly has revealed them to you! Thank you for this!

I just wrestled with the same questions you did, and now you are reading my results.

 

[Zundrah]

I just wrestled with the same questions you did, and now you are reading my results.

Let us trust the good holy spirit to guide us to all our answers! :flowers::bible1:

 

[Neil_Anthony]

What scriptures can I look up that confirm that the catholic church is the one true church?
I have studied that scripture where Jesus says “On this Rock” to peter and that is all I need to be convinced, but what other definitions are there for me to study?

Hi Zundrah,

If you study Acts, Paul’s letters, Peter’s letters and John’s letters you can see that the apostles left behind official churches in the cities where they had preached the gospel, with official leaders, the overseers or bishops. There were also Christian groups who held onto “other gospels” who were not part of the official church, and the apostles warned the real Christians to stay away from them.

Once the apostles stopped writing, the new testament was closed. From that point you have to turn to history to find out how the story progressed. You can read the writings of the overseers/bishops who were appointed by the apostles, and find out how they were replaced when they died. Then you can trace church history right down to today.

Sincerely,
Neil

P.S. I won’t throw a bunch of bible verses at you. Please just keep these questions in mind as you read scripture from now on.

 

[Zundrah]

Hi Zundrah,

If you study Acts, Paul’s letters, Peter’s letters and John’s letters you can see that the apostles left behind official churches in the cities where they had preached the gospel, with official leaders, the overseers or bishops. There were also Christian groups who held onto “other gospels” who were not part of the official church, and the apostles warned the real Christians to stay away from them.

Once the apostles stopped writing, the new testament was closed. From that point you have to turn to history to find out how the story progressed. You can read the writings of the overseers/bishops who were appointed by the apostles, and find out how they were replaced when they died. Then you can trace church history right down to today.

Sincerely,
Neil

P.S. I won’t throw a bunch of bible verses at you. Please just keep these questions in mind as you read scripture from now on.

Thank you Neil_Anthony. I will keep that in mind from now onwards.

 

[JRKH]

Hi, Zundrah.

Scripture does not speak at just the luteral level. It says most of what it says in symbolic verses, called “typological word pictures.”

So, for instance, go to Luke 5…

1 While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
2 He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
3 Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
Luke 5:1-3.

In the Bible, large bodies of water, like the Lake of Gennesaret, symbolize “the sea of damnable souls.”

“Two” symbolizes “the Church.”

“Boat” symbolizes “the Church.”

“Sitting” symbolizes “presiding.”

So, now, see what we have in this story…Jesus PRESIDING (sitting) in His CHURCH (one of two boats) preaching to the SAVED (because the people are on the shore – NOT IN THE “SEA OF DAMNABLE SOULS”)!).

Now, note well: Whose boat is Jesus sitting in?

The boat of Simon – St. Peter!

So, look for “the Church of the Popes”!

Get it?

Here’s another word picture that helps belief in the Church…

When Jesus is born, Mary wraps Him in swaddling clothes and lays Him in the manger. Luke 2:7.

Note that wrapping Jesus in swaddling clothes makes Him look like a dead person wrapped-up in a burial shroud. Also note that Jesus, by lying in the manger, which is a feeding trough, is lying on a kind of “dinner plate.” In effect, you are looking at a picture of Jesus’ actual dead body being served up as food on a dinner plate!

In what form?

Well, where did this take place? In “Bethlehem.” Luke 2:4, 15. “Bethlehem” is Hebrew meaning “House of Bread”!

So, in looking for the true church, what should you look for? Look for the Church where the dead body of Christ is served as food in a House of Bread!

I too wish to thank you for this.
I would also like to add a bit. What were the fishermen doing when Jesus got into the boat. They were cleaning their nets. Nets used to catch fish. (lost souls). The nets represent the teachings of the Church which are used to redeem souls. In use they can become tangled and dirty but the church will always tend the nets to keep them in good order and clean.
So the Church leadership (Peter and successors) constantly tend to the nets of Church teaching ensuring that it remains in good order and that any tangles or tears are properly repaired.

Peace
James

 

[Peter_Dawson]

I too wish to thank you for this.
I would also like to add a bit. What were the fishermen doing when Jesus got into the boat. They were cleaning their nets. Nets used to catch fish. (lost souls). The nets represent the teachings of the Church which are used to redeem souls. In use they can become tangled and dirty but the church will always tend the nets to keep them in good order and clean.
So the Church leadership (Peter and successors) constantly tend to the nets of Church teaching ensuring that it remains in good order and that any tangles or tears are properly repaired.

Peace
James

Whoa! God bless you! How did you know that “nets” = “the teaching of the Church”??? You’re correct! God bless you!

“Nets” = an analog of "one expression of’] the Clothing Type referring to one’s relgious beliefs or as you say “the teachings of the Church.” So, when Adam and Eve don fig leaves, that is God’s people donning the religion of Judaism. When God replaces their fig leaves with animal skins, that is God replacing Judaism with the religion of the sacrificed victim, Christianity. When Noah’s sons cover their father, Noah is a picture of God, and the cover is the religion through which God requires us to go to Him. When the soldiers divide-up Jesus’ clothing at the foot of the cross, I believe that that is a foreshadowing of how the Roman army would carry the faith with them.

Again, congratulations! How few, here, could do what you just did!