[Untellectual]

Originally Posted by Cruciform

Well, you should think of the Catholic Church as a "church" because that's what Jesus Christ himself called it (Mt. 16:18; cf. 1 Tim. 3:15).

Gaudium de veritate,

Cruciform
+T+

The question is, "what is a church?" I believe you are saying in response that the Catholic Church is the only church.

[Cruciform]

Originally Posted by Untellectual

The question is, "what is a church?" I believe you are saying in response that the Catholic Church is the only church.

It is the one and only historic Church established by Jesus Christ himself. The Eastern Orthodox churches are referred to as "churches" by the Catholic Church because the eastern churches have maintained a genuine apostolic succession, as well as all seven sacraments. Protestant groups are not considered "churches," but are rather considered denominations, sects, or ecclesial communities.



Gaudium de veritate,

Cruciform
+T+

[Untellectual]

Originally Posted by Cruciform

[font="Georgia"]It is the one and only historic Church established by Jesus Christ himself. The Eastern Orthodox churches are referred to as "churches" by the Catholic Church because the eastern churches have maintained a genuine apostolic succession, as well as all seven sacraments. Protestant groups are not considered "churches," but are rather considered denominations, sects, or ecclesial communities.

And can the Catholic Church even be called a church at all.

[Cruciform]

Originally Posted by Untellectual

And can the Catholic Church even be called a church at all.

Post #210.



Gaudium de veritate,

Cruciform
+T+

[Untellectual]

Originally Posted by Cruciform

Post #210.

Gaudium de veritate,

Cruciform
+T+

Jesus' earthly ministry preceeded the first known usage of the word "catholic" in reference to any church.

[Cruciform]

Originally Posted by Untellectual

Jesus' earthly ministry preceeded the first known usage of the word "catholic" in reference to any church.

Jesus referred to the faith community that he founded as "my Church" (Mt. 16:18). By the second generation of the historic Christian Church, Jesus' followers---those who had known and were taught by the apostles themselves, and by their immediate successors---were already accustomed to referring to Christ's historic Church as "the Catholic Church." The mere fact that Jesus didn't personally coin the term "Catholic" is completely irrelevant. The Church that Christ founded applied that name to itself.



Gaudium de veritate,

Cruciform
+T+

[Untellectual]

Originally Posted by Cruciform

[font="Georgia"]Jesus referred to the faith community that he founded as "my Church" (Mt. 16:18). By the second generation of the historic Christian Church, Jesus' followers---those who had known and were taught by the apostles themselves, and by their immediate successors---were already accustomed to referring to Christ's historic Church as "the Catholic Church." The mere fact that Jesus didn't personally coin the term "Catholic" is completely irrelevant. The Church that Christ founded applied that name to itself.

That Jesus might have coined the term is completely irrelevant to the point that He did not use the term, which is what you implied.

[Cruciform]

Originally Posted by Untellectual

That Jesus might have coined the term is completely irrelevant to the point that He did not use the term, which is what you implied.

I implied no such thing. As I've said numerous times, Jesus Christ founded the historic Church that quickly became commonly known as the Catholic Church, and so it is known to this day.

Again, that Jesus did not personally use the term "Catholic" is completely irrelevant.



Gaudium de veritate,

Cruciform
+T+

[Untellectual]

Originally Posted by Cruciform

I implied no such thing. As I've said numerous times, Jesus Christ founded the historic Church that quickly became commonly known as the Catholic Church, and so it is known to this day.

Again, that Jesus did not personally use the term "Catholic" is completely irrelevant.



Gaudium de veritate,

Cruciform
+T+

You referred me back to post 210, which reads:

Originally Posted by Cruciform

Well, you should think of the Catholic Church as a "church" because that's what Jesus Christ himself called it (Mt. 16:18; cf. 1 Tim. 3:15).



Gaudium de veritate,

Cruciform
+T+

Apparently, by "church" you do not mean "Catholic Church".

[Cruciform]

Originally Posted by Untellectual

Apparently, by "church" you do not mean "Catholic Church".

Post #218.



Gaudium de veritate,

Cruciform
+T+

[Untellectual]

Originally Posted by Cruciform

Post #218.



Gaudium de veritate,

Cruciform
+T+

In post 219 I am surmising from what you said in post 218 then.

[Robert Pate]

The title of this thread is... "The Gospel Makes Religion Worthless"

What is a worthless religion?

A worthless religion is a religion that produces nothing that is acceptable to God.

A worthless religion is a religion that is man centered and not Christ centered.

Paul wrote, "That he might present it to himself A GLORIOUS CHURCH, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish," Ephesians 5:27.

There is no religion or church on the face of this earth that fits this description.

Except for Christ's church.

Christ's church is that church that is "In Christ." It is that church that has been washed in the blood of Christ, Revelation 1:5. It is the church that has been sanctified, justified and redeemed by Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:30, It is the church that he bought with his own blood, 1 Peter 1:18, 19. It is the church that is perfect and complete "In Christ," Hebrews 10:14. It is indeed a glorious church.