"Lord, that I may see"
Luke 18:41


The Catholic Church recognized its image in the inspired books of the Bible.
That is how it determined the Canon of Scripture. Fr. Ken Baker...

It never ceases to amaze me how a Church that is so easily recognizable in a few simple Scripture verses,
is overlooked, or even denied by some.
1. Jesus Christ is the TRUTH:
John 14:6, "I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me."
Whatever He said, therefore is the TRUTH.

"He who does not believe the Son, makes Him a liar." 1John 5:10

Read the many files I have posted on this website, under the subtitle, "Truth".
2. Jesus Christ has all AUTHORITY:
Romans 13:1-2, "Let everyone be subject to the higher authorities, for there exists no authority except from GOD, AND THOSE WHO EXIST HAVE BEEN APPOINTED BY GOD (6). Therefore, he who resists the AUTHORITY resists the ordinance of GOD; and THEY THAT RESIST BRING ON THEMSELVES CONDEMNATION."

Read the many files I have posted on this website under the subtitle, "Authority".
3. Jesus Christ passed on the AUTHORITY to His Apostles to act in His behalf:
Luke 10:16, "He who HEARS YOU, HEARS ME; AND HE WHO REJECTS YOU, REJECTS ME; AND HE WHO REJECTS ME, REJECTS HIM WHO SENT ME."

John 20:21, "...As the Father has sent Me, I ALSO SEND YOU." When He had said this, he breathed upon them, and said to them, "RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT; WHOSE SINS YOU SHALL FORGIVE, THEY ARE FORGIVEN THEM; WHOSE SINS YOU SHALL RETAIN, THEY ARE RETAINED."
4. Jesus Christ founded His ONE Church:
Matt 16:18, "And I say to thee, thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church."
He who is the TRUTH, Jesus Christ, did not say Churches, did He?
5. In chapter 18 of Matthew, Jesus Christ made His Church the FINAL AUTHORITY:
Matt 18:15-18,"But if your brother sin against you, go and show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take with you one or two more so that on the word of two or three witnesses every word may be confirmed. AND IF HE REFUSE TO HEAR THEM, APPEAL TO THE CHURCH, BUT IF HE REFUSES TO HEAR EVEN THE CHURCH, LET HIM BE TO YOU AS THE HEATHEN AND THE PUBLICAN."
He who is TRUTH, Jesus Christ, did not say appeal to the Bible did He?

Eph 1:22, "And all things He made subject under His feet, and Him he gave as Head over all the Church, which is indeed His Body, the completion of Him who fills all with all."
The Church which Jesus Christ founded does indeed have the FINAL AUTHORITY, since Jesus Himself is the Head of His Body.
6. Now that the Apostles have the AUTHORITY, to speak in the PERSON OF CHRIST (2Cor 2:10), they exercise that AUTHORITY.
Now that Christ's Church has the final AUTHORITY, who, or what becomes the Guardian of the TRUTH? Is it the Bible?
1Tim 3:15, "...but in order that you may know, if I am delayed, HOW TO CONDUCT YOURSELF IN THE HOUSE OF GOD, WHICH IS THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD, THE PILLAR AND FOUNDATION OF THE TRUTH."
It is not the Bible, but the Church, which is the guardian of TRUTH. What is a foundation? It is the base upon which the Church rests, the "Rock" upon which Jesus Christ built His Church
(1Cor 3:11, Eph 2:20) . What is a "pillar"? It is something which holds something up, it "upholds" it. The Church which Jesus Christ founded now has the final AUTHORITY (2) and the task of being the Guardian of the TRUTH (1), and of upholding it.
7. Knowing that the Apostles will not live forever, Scripture made provision to replace them by a system of Apostolic Succession. It is the person holding the office which dies. The office in itself does not die but is then filled by another:
Psalms 109:8, "...let another take his office."
Acts 1:20-26, "...And his ministry let another take."....And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who knows the hearts of all, show which of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and Apostleship from which Judas fell away to go to his own place." And they drew lots between them, and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

1Cor 3:10-11, "According to the Grace of GOD which has been given to Me, as a wise builder, I laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let everyone take care how he builds thereon. For other foundation no one can lay, but that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ (6)."

Acts 20:28, "Take heed to yourselves and to the whole flock in which THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS PLACED YOU AS BISHOPS, TO RULE THE CHURCH OF GOD, WHICH HE HAS PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD."

Acts 20:32, "And now I commend you to GOD and to the Word of his Grace, WHO IS ABLE TO BUILD UP AND TO GIVE THE INHERITANCE AMONG ALL THE SANCTIFIED."

This very same process has continued down through the ages in an unbroken line to the present day. Every Pope is chosen by lots, just as the Apostles did for Matthias in Acts 1:20-26.
This unbroken line of Bishops and Popes can be traced all the way back to the Apostles.
Do you have all of this in your Church?

See "The Papacy is Scriptural", elsewhere on this website for much more.
See also, "The Unbroken Line", elsewhere on this website. It is a complete listing of every Pope from St. Peter to our present one.

8. It is the Holy Spirit who guides and guards the Church which Jesus Christ founded:
John 14:16-17, "And I will ask the Father and He will give you another ADVOCATE TO DWELL WITH YOU FOREVER, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH WHOM THE WORLD CANNOT RECEIVE, BECAUSE IT NEITHER SEES HIM NOR KNOWS HIM. BUT YOU SHALL KNOW HIM, BECAUSE HE WILL DWELL WITH YOU, AND BE IN YOU."

John 16:12-13, "Many things yet I have to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. BUT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, HAS COME HE WILL TEACH YOU ALL THE TRUTH. FOR HE WILL NOT SPEAK ON HIS OWN AUTHORITY, BUT WHATEVER HE WILL HEAR HE WILL SPEAK, AND THE THINGS THAT ARE TO COME HE WILL DECLARE TO YOU."

Matt 10:26, "Therefore, do not be afraid of them. FOR THERE IS NOTHING CONCEALED THAT WILL NOT BE DISCLOSED, AND NOTHING HIDDEN THAT WILL NOT BE REVEALED."

These last two verses clearly say that everything is NOT in the Bible, and that understanding and discernment by the Church will increase over time.

9. The Church which Jesus Christ founded will be here from the time He founded it until the end of time. In many verses it is the promise of GOD:

Dan 2:44, "But in the days of those kingdoms the GOD OF HEAVEN WILL SET UP A KINGDOM THAT SHALL NEVER BE DESTROYED, AND HIS KINGDOM SHALL NOT BE DELIVERED UP TO ANOTHER PEOPLE. AND IT SHALL BREAK IN PIECES, AND SHALL CONSUME ALL THESE KINGDOMS, AND ITSELF SHALL STAND FOREVER."

Matt 16:18, "And THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT."

Matt 28:20, "And behold, I AM WITH YOU ALL DAYS, EVEN UNTO THE CONSUMMATION OF THE WORLD."
This verse means every day in every century until the end of the world.

John 14:16, "...and HE WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER ADVOCATE TO DWELL WITH YOU FOREVER."
I believe that verse would mean unbroken continuity until the end of time. Wouldn't you agree?

Eph 3:21, "TO HIM BE GLORY IN THE CHURCH AND IN CHRIST JESUS DOWN THROUGH ALL THE AGES OF TIME WITHOUT END."
This verse said it all.

10. "TO BE DEEP IN HISTORY IS TO CEASE TO BE PROTESTANT."
John Cardinal Newman, an Anglican convert to the Catholic Church, said that after he had done an intense study of the Church Fathers.
Sadly, many Protestant ministers tell their flocks not to read the Church Fathers*, as they might be corrupted by doing so. This could not be further from the truth. Everyone reads the history of their own country, or of the world, and of the people in it. How then, can anyone be prevented from reading the history of Christianity? By reading these historical writings for yourselves, you will gain a better understanding of the truth, and knowledge of the truth will set you free, John 8:32.
However, if you deny the truth, you will perish, 2Thess 2:9-12.

*Rom 1:18, "For the wrath of GOD is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those men WHO IN WICKEDNESS HOLD BACK THE TRUTH OF GOD."

What did the historians of Christianity, the early Church writers, and Church Fathers have to say?
1st Century:
Didache, 10:5 70 A.D.
"Remember, O LORD, YOUR CHURCH. DELIVER IT FROM EVERY EVIL AND PERFECT IT IN YOUR LOVE. GATHER IT FROM THE FOUR WINDS, SANCTIFIED FOR YOUR KINGDOM, WHICH YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR IT."

The entire "Didache" is posted elsewhere on this website for your reading pleasure.
2nd Century:
St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, (d-107?).
Letter to the Smyrneans, 8, 106 A.D.
8. "You must all follow the lead of the bishop, as Jesus Christ followed that of the Father; follow the presbytery as you would the Apostles; reverence the deacons as you would God's commandment. Let no one do anything touching the Church, apart from the bishop. Let that celebration of the Eucharist be considered valid which is held under the bishop or anyone to whom he has committed it. Where the bishop appears, there let the people be, JUST AS WHERE JESUS CHRIST IS, THERE IS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. It is not permitted without authorization from the bishop either to baptize or to hold an agape; but whatever he approves is also pleasing to God. Thus everything you do will be proof against danger and valid."

This entire "Letter to the Smyrneans" can be found elsewhere on this website.
3rd Century:
St. Clement of Alexandria (150-211).
Stromateis, 7:17:107:3, J435, 202 A.D.
"We say, therefore, that in substance, in concept, in origin and in eminence, THE ANCIENT AND CATHOLIC CHURCH IS ALONE, GATHERING AS IT DOES INTO THE UNITY OF THE ONE FAITH WHICH RESULTS FROM THE FAMILIAR COVENANTS, or rather, from the one covenant in different times, by the will of the one GOD and through the one Lord, those already chosen, those predestined by GOD who knew before the foundation of the world that they would be just."
4th Century:
St. Athanasius (296-373), Bishop of Alexandria.
In his lifetime he earned the title "Father of Orthodoxy".
Letter to Serapion of Thmuis 1:28, 359 A.D.
"Let us note that the very tradition, teaching, and faith of the
CATHOLIC CHURCH from the beginning, which the Lord gave,
was preached by the Apostles, and was preserved by the Fathers.
On this was the Church founded; and if anyone departs from this,
he neither is nor any longer ought to be called a Christian."
4th Century:
St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430).
Against the Letter of Mani 5:6, J1580-1581, 397 A.D.
"I should not believe the Gospel except as moved by
the AUTHORITY of the CATHOLIC CHURCH."
St. Augustine mentioned the Catholic Church, by name, over 300 times in his writings.
5th Century:
St. Vincent of Lerins (d-450).
The Notebooks, 2:1-3, J2168, 434 A.D.
"I received almost always the same answer from all of them, that if I or anyone else wanted to expose the frauds and escape the snares of the heretics who rise up, and to remain intact and sound in a sound faith, it would be necessary with the help of the Lord, to fortify that faith in a twofold manner: first, of course, by the authority of divine law; AND THEN BY THE TRADITION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH" ....."And thus, because of so many distortions of such various errors, it is highly necessary that the line of prophetic and apostolic interpretation be directed in accord with the norm of the ecclesiastical AND CATHOLIC MEANING. IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HERSELF EVERY CARE MUST BE TAKEN THAT WE MAY HOLD FAST TO THAT WHICH HAS BEEN BELIEVED EVERYWHERE, ALWAYS, AND BY ALL. FOR THIS IS, THEN, TRULY AND PROPERLY CATHOLIC."
6th Century:
St. Fulgence, Bishop of Ruspe (467-527).
The Forgiveness of Sins, 1:19:2, J2251a, 512 A.D.
"For he is saved by the Sacrament of Baptism, whom the unity of love holds WITHIN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH up to his passing from this present life."

Here are many more references of the Catholic Church, written by the Church Fathers and early Church writers. These writings are of the history of Christianity. The Jxxx references are to a set of three excellent books, "The Faith of the Early Fathers", by William A. Jurgens.
Apostolic Succession in the Catholic Church...

Didache, 15:1. J9
Clement, Letter to the Corinthians 42:1. J20
*Tertullian, Demurrer Against Heretics 32:1. *J296
Firmilian, Letter to Cyprian 75:16. J602,602a
Poem against the Marcionites 3:276. J897
Epiphanius of Salamis, Against All Heresies 27:6. J1092
Authority of the Catholic Church...

*Ignatius, Letter Ephesians 5:3. J38a,b,43,44,47,48,49,58a
*Ignatius, Letter to the Smyrneans 8:1. J65
Tertullian, Against Marcion 4:5:1. J341
**Augustine, Against the Letter of Mani 5:6. J1581
Augustine, Against Faustus 33:6+. J1607, *J1631
Catholic Church mentioned by name...

*Ignatius, Letter to the Smyrneans 8:1-2. J65 106AD
Martyrdom of St. Polycarp 16:2. J77,79,80a,81a, 155AD
*Clement of Alexandria, Stromateis 7:17:107:3. J435 202AD
Cyprian, Unity of the Catholic Church 4-6. J555-557 251AD
Cyprian, Letter to Florentius 66:69:8. J587 254AD
*Lactantius, Divine Institutions 4:30:1. *J637 304AD
Alexander of Alexandria, Letters 12. J680 324AD
Athanasius, Letter on Council of Nicea 27. J757 350AD
*Athanasius, Letter to Serapion 1:28. J782 359AD
Athanasius, Letter to Council of Rimini 5. J785 361AD
Cyril of Jerusalem, Catachetical Lectures 18:1. J836-*839
Damasus, Decree of Damasus 3. J910u 382AD
Serapion, The Sacramentary 13:1. J1239a 350AD
*Pacian of Barcelona, Letter to Sympronian 1:4 J1243 375AD
Augustine, Letter to Vincent the Rogatist 93:7:23. J1422
Augustine, Letter to Vitalis 217:5:16. J1456 427AD
*Augustine, Psalms 88:2:14, 90:2:1. J1478-1479 418AD
*Augustine, Sermons 2, 267:4. *J1492, *J1523 430AD
*Augustine, Sermon to Catechumens on the Creed 6:14. J1535
*Augustine, The True Religion 7:12+. *J1548, *J1562, J1564
**Augustine, Against the Letter of Mani 4:5. *J1580-1581
*Augustine, Christian Instruction 2:8:12+. *J1584, J1617
Augustine, Baptism 4:21:28+. J1629, J1714, J1860a, J1882
*Augustine, Against the Pelagians 2:3:5+. *J1892, *J1898
Innocent I, Letter to Probus 36. J2017
*Fulgence of Ruspe, Forgiveness of Sins 1:19:2, J2251-2252
Catholic Church, Antiquity of...

Hermas, The Shepherd Vis 2:4:1. J82
Anonymous 2nd Letter of Clement to Corinthians 14:2. J105
Clement of Alexandria, Stromateis 7:17:107:3. J435
Augustine, Letter to Deogratias 102:15. J1428
*Augustine, Psalms 90:2:1. J1479
Augustine, Predestination of Saints 9:18. J1985
Gregory I, Letter to John 5:44:18. J2295 595AD
Catholic Church Will Last Forever...

Clement, Letter to Corinthians 42:1,64. J20,29a 80AD
*Anonymous, 2nd letter of Clement to Rome 14:2. J105
*Cyprian, Unity of the Catholic Church 4. J555-556
Cyprian, Letter to the Lapsed 33:27:1. J571
*Hilary, The Trinity 7:4. J865 Augustine, Psalms 90:2:1. J1479
*Augustine, Sermon to Catechumens 6:14. J1535
Catholic Church Founded...

Clement, Letter to Corinthians 42:1. J20
*Hermas, The Shepherd Vis 2:4:1-3:5:1. J82-84 140AD
Anonymous, Letter of Clement 14:2. J105
Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3:16:6. J217a
Tertullian, Demurrer Against Heretics 9:3. J289
*Clement of Alexandria, Stromateis 7:17:107:3. J435 202AD
Cyprian, Unity of the Catholic Church 4. J555-556
*Cyprian, Letter to the Lapsed 33:27:1. J571
*Hilary of Poitiers, The Trinity 7:4. J865
*Augustine, Homilies on John 9:10. J1814
Catholic Church In Rome Founded...

*Clement, Letter to the Corinthians, Address. J10a 80AD
Ignatius, Letter to the Romans, J52 107 AD
*Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3:3:3. J210-211
Cyprian, Letter to Cornelius 59:55:14. J580
*Council of Constantinople, Canon3. J910d
*Damasus, Decree of Damasus 3. J910u
*Optatus of Melvis, Schism of Donatists 2:2. J1242
Catholic Church Unity...

Didache 4:3. J1b 70 AD
Ignatius, Letter to the Philadelphians 3:2. J56 107 AD
Tertullian, Demurrer Against Heretics 20:4. J292
*Cyprian, Unity of the Catholic Church 4. J555-556
Catholic Church Universal...

Didache, 9:1,10:1. J6,7 70 AD
Clement, Letter to Corinthians 5:1. J11
Ignatius, Letter to the Ephesians 3:2. J38 107 AD
Martyrdom of St. Polycarp, Address. J77,79,81a
Hermas, The Shepherd Par 9:17:4. J93
Anonymous, Letter to Diogenetus 6:1. J97a
Aristides of Athens, Apology 15. J112
Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho 110. J144
*Irenaeus, Against Heresies 1:10:1. J191,192,215,257
*The Muratorian Fragment. J268
*Tertullian, Against the Jews 7:4. J320a
Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation Greeks 10:110:1. J405
*Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 18:23. J838
*Damasus, Decree of Damasus 3. J910u

This is only a small sampling of the historical writings of Christianity. There are literally many thousands of them, by scores or hundreds of authors, and spread over many centuries.
I urge everyone to go and read for themselves, the wealth of Christian information written by Christian historians, the Fathers of the Church, and Early Church Writers. Go here. .
This literally is a goldmine of Christian information, and it is all free.
A summary of what we have learned here:

It is the Catholic Church which was founded by Jesus Christ.
It is the Catholic Church which is protected, preserved, and perpetuated by Jesus Christ.
It is the Catholic Church which has the AUTHORITY given to her by Jesus Christ.
It is the Catholic Church which is the PILLAR AND FOUNDATION OF TRUTH.
It is the Catholic Church which is mentioned many times in the writings of the Christian historians.

Questions and objections, regarding the Catholic Church, which are answered in this document:

A. The Catholic Church is not the Church which Jesus Christ founded. False! See Sections 1-6.

B. The Catholic Church was not founded until the fourth century. False! See Sections 4-10.

C. The Catholic Church apostatized in the early centuries. False! See Sections 9-10. There is not one written word to substantiate this false charge. No one who has made the charge has been able to back up what they say with a single authentic document from the time it supposedly happened. In fact, they cannot even provide a date in which it "happened". Why would anyone deliberately teach against what Scripture says about the durability and perpetuality of GOD's Church? Why would anyone want to make such an unfounded charge as this in the first place? The Church Fathers surely would have mentioned such a monumental event. Instead they wrote just the opposite. They wrote of how the Catholic Church was increasing and prospering, and how it fought off heretical attacks of all types, attacks which continue to this very day. Notice that I marked the writings of the Fathers of the Church, which I have quoted, with the Century Number in which they were written. The writings span all the way from the First to the Sixth Centuries. There is not even a hint of a "great apostasy" in these writings. You will find this to hold true throughout all of their writings. So, what do the detractors have to say now in their defense?
Please read, "The Catholic Church in the New Testament", which is found elsewhere on this website. In it, you will find the detailed plan of the only Church which Jesus Christ founded. There is only one present day Church which fits this plan perfectly, as it has for almost 2000 years. Compare your Church and see if it even comes close to fitting the plan as presented by Holy Scripture.

Name another organization which has existed for almost 2000 years, and has withstood the constant slings and arrows of heretics in every Century, from the First until the Twenty First? Tell me how the Catholic Church has been able to endure this constant onslaught?
Read on for the surprising (for some) answer.

"What then shall we say to these things? If GOD is for us, who is against us?
Romans 8:31
"So now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone.
For if this plan or work is of men, it will be overthrown;
but if it is of GOD, you will not be able to overthrow it.
Else perhaps you may find yourselves fighting even against GOD."
Acts 5:38-39
©
Written by Bob Stanley, January 28, 2000
Updated August 3, 2004

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