The advent of Roman Catholicism was NOT the actual beginning of the Christian Church, which did NOT originate in Rome and had several bishoprics before Constantine and the conversion of Europe, which is why the latter could convene a council of bishops. The bishops were there before Constantine and his church. Not only that, but anyone who reads the founding documents of the Roman Church not only knows that it was not first, but that it was heavily criticized by many Christian leaders at the time for developing a theology and a structure that was not consistent with the organic forms of Christianity that had existed before. Now this would be just a historical footnote for me personally because I respect all my Christian brothers and sisters and their walks of faith, but my relationship with some of these "brethren" has gotten stressed because they say certain things out of a lack of study and knowledge.
Not only is Roman Catholicism NOT the beginning of Christianity the religion or the birthplace of Christ, neither is ANY European denomination, Protestant or otherwise. Whatever your arguments in terms of theology, you do not want to base them on the false historical proposition that some or any European denomination is "original". You can build no truth in that lie. No house will stand on that sand.
Roman Catholicism formed the first major large scale European denomination of the faith, but it was not first or original in terms of Christendom itself and if that is the basis of your faith, you are in trouble. There is nothing wrong with choosing the Roman Catholic path to Christ if that is where God leads you. But beware thinking yourself, when you do so, superior to other Christians. There is no greater or lesser in Christ and certainly not based on the denominational divisions created by man. In fact, the true church according to the Word is when two or three or even more are gathered, wherever and whenever they are, in true faith and in the name of the Redeemer. That is a legacy, an unearned gift, an inheritance of adoption for all. As the hymn says, "If I be lifted up, shall draw all men unto me." The "I" there is Christ. Beware of lifting your church building, your rituals, your denomination, your congregation, or your clergy above the one who should be truly lifted and the only one who can do the drawing and the saving.
There is a special irony here in that the current Pope, Francis, has made a major part of his reign and service the restoration of the universal church, reaching out as an equal, the Bishop of Rome to many different areas of Christendom, honoring them and their faith and their parishioners as he honors those in his flock.
And if we have any doubt. Let the word of Christ Himself to his apostles be law. "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold" and continuing " they shall hear my voice and there shall be one-fold and one shepherd." The Lord speaks here of no denomination, but of His church to which He is to be betrothed. If we as Christians, be we Methodists, Anabaptist, Baptists, COGIC, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Orthodox, Catholic, Episcopalian, or whatever (as these proliferate daily), ever get some sense of superiority with respect to one another, let us be humbled by our Savior's admonition. Many flocks, one shepherd. May someone in the Lord who has need of His Word in this aspect, hear it, and receive it into their Spirit towards the unity of the church.
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