• The Roman Catholic Church is an ancient religious institution
boasting over a billion members worldwide. It is the largest
Christian ecclesiastical body in the world.
• It is important to have an accurate understanding of the Roman
Catholic Church’s history and origin.
• The role of Jesus Christ and the involvement of St. Peter in the
emergence of the Roman Catholic
• The political body of the roman catholic church
First things first, what is Christianity?
•It is the religion based on the person and
teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, its beliefs and
practices.
•Christianity is broadly split into three branches:
Roman Catholic, Protestant and (Eastern)
Orthodox.
The Roman Catholic Church
• ROMAN CATHOLIC-of, relating to, or being a Christian church having a
hierarchy of priests and bishops under the pope, veneration of the
Virgin Mary and saints, clerical celibacy.
• The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is
the largest Christian church. As the world's oldest and largest
continuously functioning international institution, it has played a
prominent role in the history and development of Western
Civilization.
ORIGIN
Origin
• The Roman Catholic Church traces its history to Jesus Christ and the
Apostles. Over the course of centuries it developed a highly
sophisticated theology and an elaborate organizational structure
headed by the papacy, the oldest continuing absolute monarchy in
the world.
• At one level, of course, the interpretation of Roman Catholicism is
closely related to the interpretation of Christianity as such. By its own
reading of history, Roman Catholicism originated with the very
beginnings of Christianity.
Several historical factors, which vary in importance that
help to account for the emergence of Roman
Catholicism. The two factors that are often regarded
as most decisive are:
• The primacy of St. Peter among the Twelve Apostles
of Christ,
• And the identification of Peter with the catholic
church.
Roman Catholicism itself maintains that the Roman Catholic
Church was established by Christ when he gave direction to
the Apostle Peter as the head of the church. This belief is based
on Matthew 16:18, when Jesus Christ said to Peter: "And I tell
you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.“
According to The Moody Handbook of Theology, the official
beginning of the Roman Catholic church occurred in 590 CE,
with Pope Gregory I.
• As a response to several protestants, the
Roman Catholic Church started what we call
the Catholic Reformation or Counter
Reformation, which began with the Council
of Trent in 1545. They had to reform some
of their own rigid doctrines to respond to
the reforms of the Protestants.
Salvation is decided to require faith,
hope and love, as well as good deeds
(Higgins 2007, 93).
As a result of Protestant Reformation,
Catholicism defends the following beliefs
and practices: the importance of good
works, the value of tradition, a guided
interpretation of the Bible, hierarchical
authority, veneration of Mary and saints,
and the seven Sacraments.
Relationship of Roman Catholic
To Jesus
Who is Jesus Christ in the Roman Catholic?
• According to Catholic tradition, the Catholic Church was founded by
Jesus Christ. The New Testament records Jesus' activities and
teaching, his appointment of the twelve Apostles, and his instructions
to them to continue his work.
• He taught them and gave them priesthood authority to teach in His
name and to perform sacred ordinances, such as baptism. Jesus
Christ organized His Church: He called and ordained Apostles. He
gave them His authority to teach and baptize.
• Catholics believe that Jesus is God incarnate, "true
God and true man" (or both fully divine and fully
human). Jesus, having become fully human, suffered
our pain, finally succumbed to His injuries and gave up
his spirit when he said, "it is finished." He suffered
temptations, but did not sin.
Polity of the Catholic Church
Polity of the Catholic Church
Ecclesiastical Polity- is the operational and governance
structure of a church or of a Christian denomination.
• The Roman Catholic Church understands herself as a single
polity whose supreme earthly authority is the Supreme
Pontiff (Pope).
• The Holy See is the universal government of the Catholic
Church and operates from Vatican City State, a sovereign,
independent territory. The Pope is the ruler of both Vatican
City State and the Holy See.
