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May 1, 2007 · The churches that have existed for four or five hundred years can demonstrate this to a degree, but only the Catholic (and Eastern Orthodox) Church has a living link with history that goes back to Roman times—and then, through Judaism, back to the beginning of human history.
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Christ founded only "one true Church", and that this one true Church is the Catholic Church with the bishop of Rome (the pope) as its supreme, infallible head and locus of communion. [8]
We know that no other church but the Catholic Church is the true Church of Christ because no other church has these four marks. (a) All other churches lack essential unity. They recognize no authority in religious matters vested in an individual who is the vicar of Christ.
Here are the things that are true of a true church, which can only be a local church: The church is saved from deception by the leading of God through its members (Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Jn. 2:27). The church grows together, and only as each part is doing its share (1 Cor. 12:12-26; Eph. 4:15-16).
May 1, 2024 · One is the belief that the Roman Catholic Church is the one true church. This connects with the view that the Pope occupies the episcopal seat of Peter and is the sole vicar of Christ upon earth. This vicarious status holds several ramifications for Roman Catholic views of pastoral authority, politics, sacramental ministry, and Scripture.
- Barton Gingerich
The Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist, are true particular Churches.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church in our own day has concisely summed up all the reasons why the name of the Church of Christ has been the Catholic Church: "The Church is catholic," the Catechism teaches, "[because] she proclaims the fullness of the faith.
