Paul Smithson
"Catholic or Protestant...is one more right than the other?"
In answering this question let's begin by reminding ourselves
that the Lord's church was in existence before the emergence of
either Catholic or Protestant denominations (Acts 2:47). The
early Christians followed God's pattern that was given through
the teaching of His apostles. This New Testament teaching was
their only guide for worship, rule of faith, unity,
organization, and name. It was their only creed and there were
no denominations, Catholic or Protestant.
During this time God warned that "some shall depart from the
faith" (1Tim.4:1), and that they would turn away from the truth
(2Tim. 4:4). This departure was gradual but by 150 AD history
shows noticeable changes in the way local churches were
governed. Many had turned from God's New Testament pattern of
elders overseeing a local congregation of which they were
members (Acts 20:28), to the practice of "bishops" over seeing
several congregations within a district or diocese.
Then came the first human creed in 325 AD written by
leading bishops, known today as the Nicene Creed. By doing this
they had assumed the authority to make and bind religious laws,
a prerogative belonging only to the Lord. Anyone who would not
consent to this creed was branded as a "heretic."
In 606 AD Boniface III took the title of universal bishop
(pope). This was the beginning of the Catholic or Universal
Church. Many were now looking to a mere man as the head of the
church. Not even among apostles was there one who dared to claim
such power; for there is but one head of the church, Jesus
Christ (Eph. 1:22-23; cf. Acts 10:25-26).
As time went on other human practices and doctrines sprang
up which the Lord had warned against (see 1Tim. 4:1-3).
Gradually opposition arose against Catholic church and its
persecutions of "heretics" that lead to the religious
Reformation of the 16th century. Men like Martin Luther began
to "protest" against the Catholic Church. Thus they became know
as Protestants. Men like John Calvin began to defend
Protestanism. It must be remembered, however, that their
purpose was to reform the existing Catholic Church and not to
restore the original New Testament church. The result of these
and other men's efforts was the establishment of denominations
around men's names and doctrines. Even today we see one
denomination spring from another, failing to return to the New
Testament pattern alone.
Much division exist today as seen by existance numerous
denominations both Catholic or Protestant. There can be unity,
however, without being a part of any denomination if we will
simply believe and obey the teaching of the New Testament as
those in the first century did (Acts 2:47; Eph. 4:4-6; Gal.
1:6-10).
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