Question: "What is the origin of the Catholic Church?"

Answer: The Roman Catholic Church contends that its origin is the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ in approximately AD 30. The Catholic Church proclaims itself to be the church that Jesus Christ died for, the church that was established and built by the apostles. Is that the true origin of the Catholic Church? On the contrary. Even a cursory reading of the New Testament will reveal that the Catholic Church does not have its origin in the teachings of Jesus or His apostles. In the New Testament, there is no mention of the papacy, worship/adoration of Mary (or the immaculate conception of Mary, the perpetual virginity of Mary, the assumption of Mary, or Mary as co-redemptrix and mediatrix), petitioning saints in heaven for their prayers, apostolic succession, the ordinances of the church functioning as sacraments, infant baptism, confession of sin to a priest, purgatory, indulgences, or the equal authority of church tradition and Scripture. So, if the origin of the Catholic Church is not in the teachings of Jesus and His apostles, as recorded in the New Testament, what is the true origin of the Catholic Church?

For the first 280 years of Christian history, Christianity was banned by the Roman Empire, and Christians were terribly persecuted. This changed after the “conversion” of the Roman Emperor Constantine. Constantine provided religious toleration with the Edict of Milan in AD 313, effectively lifting the ban on Christianity. Later, in AD 325, Constantine called the Council of Nicea in an attempt to unify Christianity. Constantine envisioned Christianity as a religion that could unite the Roman Empire, which at that time was beginning to fragment and divide. While this may have seemed to be a positive development for the Christian church, the results were anything but positive. Just as Constantine refused to fully embrace the Christian faith, but continued many of his pagan beliefs and practices, so the Christian church that Constantine promoted was a mixture of true Christianity and Roman paganism.

Constantine found that, with the Roman Empire being so vast, expansive, and diverse, not everyone would agree to forsake his or her religious beliefs to embrace Christianity. So, Constantine allowed, and even promoted, the “Christianization” of pagan beliefs. Completely pagan and utterly unbiblical beliefs were given new “Christian” identities. Some clear examples of this are as follows:

(1) The Cult of Isis, an Egyptian mother-goddess religion, was absorbed into Christianity by replacing Isis with Mary. Many of the titles that were used for Isis, such as “Queen of Heaven,” “Mother of God,” and theotokos (“God-bearer”) were attached to Mary. Mary was given an exalted role in the Christian faith, far beyond what the Bible ascribes to her, in order to attract Isis worshippers to a faith they would not otherwise embrace. Many temples to Isis were, in fact, converted into temples dedicated to Mary. The first clear hints of Catholic Mariology occur in the writings of Origen, who lived in Alexandria, Egypt, which happened to be the focal point of Isis worship.

(2) Mithraism was a religion in the Roman Empire in the 1st through 5th centuries AD. It was very popular among the Romans, especially among Roman soldiers, and was possibly the religion of several Roman emperors. While Mithraism was never given “official” status in the Roman Empire, it was the de facto official religion until Constantine and succeeding Roman emperors replaced Mithraism with Christianity. One of the key features of Mithraism was a sacrificial meal, which involved eating the flesh and drinking the blood of a bull. Mithras, the god of Mithraism, was “present” in the flesh and blood of the bull, and when consumed, granted salvation to those who partook of the sacrificial meal (this is known as theophagy, the eating of one’s god). Mithraism also had seven “sacraments,” making the similarities between Mithraism and Roman Catholicism too many to ignore. Church leaders after Constantine found an easy substitute for the sacrificial meal of Mithraism in the concept of the Lord’s Supper/Christian communion. Even before Constantine, some early Christians had begun to attach mysticism to the Lord’s Supper, rejecting the biblical concept of a simple and worshipful remembrance of Christ’s death and shed blood. The Romanization of the Lord’s Supper made the transition to a sacrificial consumption of Jesus Christ, now known as the Catholic Mass/Eucharist, complete.

(3) Most Roman emperors (and citizens) were henotheists. A henotheist is one who believes in the existence of many gods, but focuses primarily on one particular god or considers one particular god supreme over the other gods. For example, the Roman god Jupiter was supreme over the Roman pantheon of gods. Roman sailors were often worshippers of Neptune, the god of the oceans. When the Catholic Church absorbed Roman paganism, it simply replaced the pantheon of gods with the saints. Just as the Roman pantheon of gods had a god of love, a god of peace, a god of war, a god of strength, a god of wisdom, etc., so the Catholic Church has a saint who is “in charge” over each of these, and many other categories. Just as many Roman cities had a god specific to the city, so the Catholic Church provided “patron saints” for the cities.

(4) The supremacy of the Roman bishop (the papacy) was created with the support of the Roman emperors. With the city of Rome being the center of government for the Roman Empire, and with the Roman emperors living in Rome, the city of Rome rose to prominence in all facets of life. Constantine and his successors gave their support to the bishop of Rome as the supreme ruler of the church. Of course, it is best for the unity of the Roman Empire that the government and state religion be centralized. While most other bishops (and Christians) resisted the idea of the Roman bishop being supreme, the Roman bishop eventually rose to supremacy, due to the power and influence of the Roman emperors. When the Roman Empire collapsed, the popes took on the title that had previously belonged to the Roman emperors—Pontifex Maximus.

Many more examples could be given. These four should suffice in demonstrating the origin of the Catholic Church. Of course, the Roman Catholic Church denies the pagan origin of its beliefs and practices. The Catholic Church disguises its pagan beliefs under layers of complicated theology and “church tradition.” Recognizing that many of its beliefs and practices are utterly foreign to Scripture, the Catholic Church is forced to deny the authority and sufficiency of Scripture.

The origin of the Catholic Church is the tragic compromise of Christianity with the pagan religions that surrounded it. Instead of proclaiming the gospel and converting the pagans, the Catholic Church “Christianized” the pagan religions, and “paganized” Christianity. By blurring the differences and erasing the distinctions, yes, the Catholic Church made itself attractive to the people of the Roman Empire. One result was the Catholic Church becoming the supreme religion in the Roman world for centuries. However, another result was the most dominant form of Christianity apostatizing from the true gospel of Jesus Christ and the true proclamation of God’s Word.

Second Timothy 4:3–4 declares, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/origin-Catholic-church.html#ixzz3BmqPsTo0

All I see is shear jealousy and insecurity...

Rich4god:

All I see is shear jealousy and insecurity...

You are free to either believe the Holy Scriptures as your final authority or to adhere to your church dogmas and traditions. Your decision will determine where you will spend eternity.

so u mean dat d gate of hell prevailed against the church jesus founded. Smh thanks for misleading many but i will continue to believe what d bible said which is being tot by the catholic church

Yes, pointing to a site that bashes the Catholic Church!! Sola Scriptura as you attest to was never a teaching of the church until the reformation of the 16th Century. How exactly do you think the Early Christians practiced their faith? Please do more study - even the great protestant debaters have to study Church history.

@ op can you pls tell us how constatine was converted i mean what made him become christian?

Lies ! Lies! Lies! Every line i read...lies everywhere. Don't just seek for something supporting your error, seek to know the truth @ OP.

This sounds more like a fairy tale than a historical fact.
Op since you said constantine converted to christianity and then originated the Catholic church who converted him? And how did he convert? And provide a historic evidence to prove the catholic church originated when you stated.

Burmak:

@ op can you pls tell us how constatine was converted i mean what made him become christian?

Emperor Constantine was just a "politican" who used "Christianity" to his own advantage.

SalC: This sounds more like a fairy tale than a historical fact.
Op since you said constantine converted to christianity and then originated the Catholic church who converted him? And how did he convert? And provide a historic evidence to prove the catholic church originated when you stated.

What the op posted is mostly true while some are conjectures too. Yes it was Constantine who gave Christianity a boost when he claimed that he has converted to Christianity. He claimed that he saw a cross superimposed on the sun which he worshiped. However it was just a ruse to rein in the Christians and manipulate the church fathers and he succeeded.

Jack65:

What the op posted is mostly true while some are conjectures too. Yes it was Constantine who gave Christianity a boost when he claimed that he has converted to Christianity. He claimed that he saw a cross superimposed on the sun which he worshiped. However it was just a ruse to rein in the Christians and manipulate the church fathers and he succeeded.

you are as confused as the op you are both trying to give the dog a bad name in order to hang it

This ode op is a huge fan of an equally crazy fellow Jack T chick founder of the site link he posted!! Read up about him.He is a fundamentalist xtian.Oladeegbu is only one of his numerous victims

The most ridiculos thing about this fundamentalists is that they propound a doctrine of sola scripture which is based on the scriptures compiled by this same 'pagan roman church' what an Irony!!! We told them Mathew,Mark ,luke and John wrote gospels even when they were anonymous and yet they beleived even when they considered us pagans.Abg which mumu pass this one?

Burmak:
you are as confused as the op you are both trying to give the dog a bad name in order to hang it

Bros, I am not even a Christian so I don't have any hidden agenda. But the truth is the truth wether you want to believe it or not. I expected you or anybody who doubts this to at least look it up. Google Emperor Constantine, Council of Nicea and the Edict of Toleration/Milan and read up.

SalC: This sounds more like a fairy tale than a historical fact.
Op since you said constantine converted to christianity and then originated the Catholic church who converted him? And how did he convert? And provide a historic evidence to prove the catholic church originated when you stated.

how come the bible says paul preached in rome and yet ola claims there were no christians in rome for 280yrs, was paul preaching to pigs?

lacum:

so u mean dat d gate of hell prevailed against the church jesus founded. Smh thanks for misleading many but i will continue to believe what d bible said which is being tot by the catholic church

If the RCC was the universal Church then we could say the gates of hell has prevailed but thank God it is not.

btoks:

Yes, pointing to a site that bashes the Catholic Church!! Sola Scriptura as you attest to was never a teaching of the church until the reformation of the 16th Century. How exactly do you think the Early Christians practiced their faith? Please do more study - even the great protestant debaters have to study Church history.

You are free to debunk the facts posted in the OP with evidence, sentimental outburst wouldn't change anything.

Burmak:

@ op can you pls tell us how constatine was converted i mean what made him become christian?

I don't think he became a genuine Christian. A Christian of convenience, I will say.

Burmak:

you are as confused as the op you are both trying to give the dog a bad name in order to hang it

The guy just gave you some facts and you are castigating him.

Syncan:

Lies ! Lies! Lies! Every line i read...lies everywhere. Don't just seek for something supporting your error, seek to know the truth @ OP.

Come to the table with your facts don't just say lies without showing us the facts to counter them.

chukwudi44:

This ode op is a huge fan of an equally crazy fellow Jack T chick founder of the site link he posted!! Read up about him.He is a fundamentalist xtian.Oladeegbu is only one of his numerous victims

I must have touched some nerves. Wake up and smell the coffee!

chukwudi44:

The most ridiculos thing about this fundamentalists is that they propound a doctrine of sola scripture which is based on the scriptures compiled by this same 'pagan roman church' what an Irony!!! We told them Mathew,Mark ,luke and John wrote gospels even when they were anonymous and yet they beleived even when they considered us pagans.Abg which mumu pass this one?

The Jews compiled the OT and the NT was widely read among the early Christians before the RCC was formed. We thank God for Constantine whom God used as a tool put them together as one book. That is not to say that the RCC was the brain behind it. This is what we call the providence of God.

Jack65:

Bros, I am not even a Christian so I don't have any hidden agenda. But the truth is the truth wether you want to believe it or not. I expected you or anybody who doubts this to at least look it up. Google Emperor Constantine, Council of Nicea and the Edict of Toleration/Milan and read up.

Let's hope that will make them conduct their own independent research.

Ubenedictus:

how come the bible says paul preached in rome and yet ola claims there were no christians in rome for 280yrs, was paul preaching to pigs?

When and where did I say that?

OLAADEGBU:

The Jews compiled the OT and the NT was widely read among the early Christians before the RCC was formed. We thank God for Constantine whom God used as a tool put them together as one book. That is not to say that the RCC was the brain behind it. This is what we call the providence of God.

Which NT are you talking about? Over 18 gospels were in circulation alongside hundreds of other writings so WTF are you talking about?

The jewish council of jamnia in 100CE rejected Jesus and the entire NT so why don't you fully abide by these council teachings?

chukwudi44:

Which NT are you talking about? Over 18 gospels were in circulation alongside hundreds of other writings so WTF are you talking about?

The jewish council of jamnia in 100CE rejected Jesus and the entire NT so why don't you fully abide by these council teachings?

Don't excite yourself in thinking that the RCC was involved in the compilation of the NT. The Church fathers should be credited for that and not the RCC that started after Constantine.

They also transfer the solemnity of d sabbath from 7th day(saturday) to 1st day(sunday) to make christains worship on sunday in which d roman pagans do worship d sun god@OP . And now every church in d whole world wether Pentecostals,CAN or protestant are under Roman catholic.Though they reject their Idolatry doctrines but yet they join them in rebelling against God. Pope Franscis said there is a church hindering him frm doing the will of his heart and d church is 7th day Adventist which never rest nor do sunday worship.But i give glory to God many founders are now observing their Sabbath on 7th day saturday. This you have to know OP dat d catholics are blind nd will always tell u u r wrong irrespective of Scripture u quote for them.

Olusanya333:

They also transfer the solemnity of d sabbath from 7th day(saturday) to 1st day(sunday) to make christains worship on sunday in which d roman pagans do worship d sun god@OP . And now every church in d whole world wether Pentecostals,CAN or protestant are under Roman catholic.Though they reject their Idolatry doctrines but yet they join them in rebelling against God. Pope Franscis said there is a church hindering him frm doing the will of his heart and d church is 7th day Adventist which never rest nor do sunday worship.But i give glory to God many founders are now observing their Sabbath on 7th day saturday. This you have to know OP dat d catholics are blind nd will always tell u u r wrong irrespective of Scripture u quote for them.

Are you also aware that the Romans also worship the planet Saturn from where you get Saturday?

See my thread on Keeping the Sabbath. ==> https://www.nairaland.com/1839822/keeping-sabbath

OLAADEGBU:

Don't excite yourself in thinking that the RCC was involved in the compilation of the NT. The Church fathers should be credited for that and not the RCC that started after Constantine.

Who do you think are the church fathers?

FYI the bible was compiled decades after the death of constantine!!! So better upgrade your knowlege

OLAADEGBU:

Don't excite yourself in thinking that the RCC was involved in the compilation of the NT. The Church fathers should be credited for that and not the RCC that started after Constantine.

The bolded got my attention... Plz, can you help us name one or two of the church fathers...

OLAADEGBU:

The Jews compiled the OT and the NT was widely read among the early Christians before the RCC was formed. We thank God for Constantine whom God used as a tool put them together as one book. That is not to say that the RCC was the brain behind it. This is what we call the providence of God.

Abeg... wch of the constantine are you talking about... Be like you go go bck to your history class...

Rich4god: The bolded got my attention... Plz, can you help us name one or two of the church fathers...

That guy know absolutely nothing about church history!!! The dude only does copy and paste from Jack Chicks's website and does not even bother to cross check the information.He has absolutely no ideas about whho the church fathers are or what they even believed in!!