THE ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, APOSTOLIC CHURCH

I believe in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.   

CC 22 …. Addressing himself to the heretics, Tertullian asks:

“Stop there ! Who are you ? When and from where do you come ? What do you want to do among us, what is your business amongst us;  you, who do not belong to us ?   How is it, that you come to sow here and graze at your pleasure ? The field is mine, and has been my property, long before you appeared.”

“My original title over the field is secure and cannot be infringed, because it goes back to those who were its first owners.  I am the official heir of the Apostles ! Since they have designated me in their testament, and, have passed on the field to me under oath.  I am, therefore, its sole owner.”

“As for you, heretics, let it be clear, that, the Apostles have disinherited and disowned you like strangers, like enemies. “ (Tertullian, Ibidem, Part II, n. 32.)

IN BRIEF:

·      From the above biblical and historical survey certain truths or principles emerge which are indispensable for ascertaining oneself of the genuine transmission of the message of Christ, and for identifying His One and Only Church.

·      Christ intended His church to survive  “till the end of time”.

·     

 He founded it on the Apostles (Eph. 2: 19 – 20;  Rev. 21: 14), who were personally appointed (Lk.6:13), and authorized by Him, “to go and preach the Good News to all Nations.” (Mk.16: 15)

·      The One and Only Church founded personally by the Lord Jesus is therefore Apostolic. ***

·      *** Even in antiquity,  the Christians needed notes or marks to IDENTIFY the One and Only Church founded by Jesus Christ, from the other heretical churches and sects. The Church listed these notes in the Nicene Creed (year 325): “I believe in One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church. These four marks have to be found together, at the same time in the Church.

CC 23 ….

Extracts by kind permission of  HG Mons. Sylvester Magro ofm, Apostolic Vicar  of Benghazi.