psalm123

A frequent topic of discussion among friends who are non Catholic is how do we know what the true church of Jesus Christ is?  One way to clear up questions and gain a clear insight into authentic Christianity is to study the early fathers of the Church. These early Christians received their faith either directly from Jesus and his apostles or from their disciples. So, what did these early Christians believe? How did they worship? How was the authority of Jesus' church structured from the first  century and beyond?  If you belong to a "Bible Christian" church, how do the teachings of your church compare to what the Apostles taught?  Do you practice the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist? (validly),  are you in communion with the Bishop of Rome--The Pope? Do you believe in Scripture and Sacred Tradition? How about confessing sins to a priest?  If your answer is no to these few examples, I challenge you to ask yourself why don't you follow these these teachings of Jesus?  The Apostles believed in and taught these things. The early Church fathers passed on this same faith to others who then passed on the same beliefs throughout history for 2000 years.  These same things are taught and believed in the Catholic Church today. Why doesn't your 'Christian' church follow these teachings of Jesus and his Apostles?

 I encourage protestants to examine the writings of the early church fathers. Many popular Catholic apologists I read and listen to were once protestant. Steve Ray and Dr. Scott Hahn come to mind. I really like Steve Rays website. I'll leave a link at the end of this entry. One common theme in these protestant conversion stories has to do with their study of the early Church fathers. The words of  a famous convert to the Catholic faith Cardinal John Henry Newman "To be steeped in history is to cease to be protestant" is full of truth. When you study the Christianity of the early Church, it is very obviously Catholic. We as Catholics already know this and make the claim that the Catholic Church is the church started by Jesus Christ.

 Apostolic Fathers to look into would be Clement (AD 30-100), Justin Martyr (100-165), Ignatius (30-107), Irenaeus (120-200), Polycarp (69-155). Try and find the most popular protestant doctrines of Sola scriptura (Bible alone) and Sola Fide (faith alone) within the writings of the early church fathers. They aren't there. Sola Scriptura could not have been taught because the Bible didn't exist yet at this time!.  Here is a very short sample quote to get us started. Notice the authority of the Bishop, mention of the Eucharist, and even the term Catholic Church.


"See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Christ Jesus does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles. Do ye also reverence the deacons, as those that carry out[through their office] the appointment of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is[administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude[of the people] also be; by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude[of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church."
Ignatius of Antioch,Epistle to the Smyrneans, 8:2(A.D. 110),in ANF,I:89

Take care all. 

I hope this is informative. I hope to examine these early Church fathers and their writings more in depth as time allows.  Questions and input is encouraged. As usual, this is written with little time to spare so excuse typos and all that....

Steve Ray's website.    http://www.catholicconvert.com