Where is the word Catholic found in the bible?
We don't actually read the English term "Catholic" in the bible. The term Catholic came down to us from the Greek Katholikos, and in English is rendered as "Catholic" but this doesn't mean that the Greek term, (at least in a root form) was not used in the bible in regard to the Church.The Greek term katholikos in which "Catholic" is derived, means "universal" or "general" (from kata, by or according to; holos, whole) and sometimes rendered as "throughout all" as you will see blow. This is what the English translation of Catholic also means. She is the Universal church in which Christ gave to people throughout the world, and all nations.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matt 28:19-20)
But, where is it in the bible?
We read in Acts 9:31, "So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied."
Also to note that the term "church" is translated from the Greek "ekklesia".
Acts 9:31 doesn't mention the word "Katholikos." But, it does, however, use the phrase, "ekklesia kath holos," which is translated as "the Church throughout all." From this we derive the word "katholos." And from there we get "Katholikos," Catholicos and finally "Catholic."
I was not able to get a super clear image so if you would like to see it for yourself you can go to biblehub.com or click the above image.
It is clear that the Greek translation of Acts does in fact contain the root words in which we derive the term Catholic Church from and indeed found in the bible.
When was the term "Catholic" or "Universal" in regards to the Church that Christ established first seen in history?
St. Ignatius was taught by Peter, and martyred for the faith, he was not one of the Apostolic writers. Many of his letters were written while on the road to martyrdom in the 2nd century. These were his final teachings to the faithful in his care.
Ignatius's letters are of historical importance, but not considered inspired scripture. They along with countless other historically significant documents were not included in the cannon either, but not deemed counterfeit either.
This doesn't mean that they don't/didn't have historical value, telling us important things about the first centuries of Christianity.
As recorded in the book of Acts. The followers of Christ were first called Christians in Antioch, (Acts 11:19-26).
We know from scripture that the Apostles, handed down their teachings to faithful men.
And, we know they also chose who would succeed them in order to keep the teachings and traditions of Christ going throughout history, "and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2)
"Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you." (1 Cor 11:2)
"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter." (2 Thess 2:15)
One example of this in scripture is when Mathias was chosen to replace the apostle Judas who died, you can read that in Acts 1:12-26.
Jumping ahead about 40 or 50 years after the book of Acts was written around the year 110-120 A.D. we read in a Letter to the Smyrnaeans by Ignatius who was actually the third bishop of Antioch,
"Wherever the bishop appear, there let the multitude be; even as wherever Christ Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful either to baptize, or to hold a love-feast without the consent of the bishop; but whatsoever he shall approve of, that also is well pleasing unto God, to the end that whatever is done may be safe and sure."
So, here is the interestingly enough...
It was also in Antioch that the early Church was called Catholic. Ignatius' letter to the Smyraeans was the first written record that we know of which talks about the name of the early Church, as Catholic. Just about 30 years after the book of Acts was written Ignatius Bishop of Antioch in his letter to the Smyrnaeans records that these Christians were Catholic.
By Joanne Utke
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