The Origin of the Catholic Church

The Origin of the Catholic church could be traced back to Jesus Christ who is the founder of Christianity, whose institution of the twelve apostles and teachings formed the Catholic tradition.

The Catholic church can be seen as the continuation of the early Christians and the belief of the apostle’s creed established in one faith. The administration of the Catholic church recognizes the leaders as Christ’s apostles and the Church’s leader, the Bishop of Rome, known as the Pope to be the sole successor to Saint Peter who ministered in Rome in the first century after his appointment by Jesus as head of the Church according to the account recorded in the
New Testament. Jesus’ activities and teachings, his appointment of the twelve apostles, and his instructions to them to continue his work marks the beginning of Catholic church.

The Catholic church teaches that the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, in an event known as the Pentecost, signaled the beginning of the public ministry of the Church. Catholics hold that Saint Peter was Rome’s first bishop and the consecrator of Linus as its next bishop, thus starting the unbroken line. The Catholic church maintains the apostolic succession of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope – the successor to Saint Peter.

In the account of the Confession of Peter found in the Gospel of Matthew chapter
16:18; it is believed that Christ designates Peter as the “rock” upon which Christ’s church will be built.

However, the history of the Catholic church could be said to be the formation, events, and transformation of the Catholic church through time.

By the end of the 2nd century, bishops began congregating in regional synods to resolve doctrinal and policy issues. Duffy claims that by the 3rd century, the church in Rome might even function as a court of appeal on doctrinal issues.

Christianity spread throughout the early Roman Empire, with all persecutions due to conflicts with the pagan state religion. The persecutions however became less by the Edict of Milan with the legalization of Christianity by Emperor Constantine 1. In 380, under Emperor Theodosius, Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire

By the end of the 2nd century, bishops began congregating in regions to resolve doctrinal and policy issues. Duffy claims that by the 3rd century, the church in Rome might even function as a court of appeal on doctrinal issues.

Jesus’ apostles gained converts in Jewish communities around the Mediterranean Sea, and over 40 Christian communities had been established during the early days.

Although most of these were in the Roman Empire, notable Christian communities were also established in Armenia, Iran and al, and the Indian Malabar Coast. The new religion was most successful in urban areas, spreading first among slaves and people of low social standing, and then among aristocratic women.

At first, Christians continued to worship alongside Jewish believers, which are referred to as Jewish Christians, but within twenty years of Jesus’s death, Sunday was regarded as the primary day of worship.

Today Catholicism remains the first and the most populous in Christendom and can be found almost in the entire region of the planet as the universal church.