Where is Catholic in the bible?

Where is the word Catholic found in the bible?

We don't actually read the English word "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. Because she is the Universal church in which Christ gave to His 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, "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." (Acts 9:31)

Also, note that the term "church" is translated from the Greek "ekklesia" here.

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," And Catholicos, finally "Catholic."

Compare what you have just learned with in the Greek text of Acts 9:31...

I was not able to get a super clear image. So if you would like to see it from the source 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 is indeed found in the bible!

When was the term "Catholic" or "Universal" in regards to The Church that Christ established, first seen used in history? 

St. Ignatius who was taught by Peter himself, and martyred for the faith has our answer. He was not one of the  Apostolic writers of what became the bible but he was a bishop of The Church and post apostolic writer. 

Many of his letters were written as an old man, while on the road to martyrdom in the 2nd century. These were his final teachings to The Church and faithful in his care.

Ignatius's letters are of historical importance. They along with countless other historically significant documents were not included in the cannon of Scripture later by The Bishops of The Church but not deemed counterfeit or to have no value. 

This doesn't mean that they don't and didn't have historical value, telling us important things about the first centuries of Christianity. As well as how The Church functioned and what people like Ignatius Bishop of Antioch taught the faithful in the years following The Apostle Peter. 

As recorded in the book of Acts. The followers of Christ were first called Christians in Antioch, (Acts 11:19-26). The same Antioch where Ignatius was Bishop in which he succeeded Peter as Bishop of Antioch. 

We know from scripture that the Apostles, handed down their teachings to faithful men. Ignatius was just one of many more "faithful men." 

And, we know they also chose those 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 30-50 years after the book of Acts was written, talking about around the year 110-120 A.D. We read in a Letter to the Smyrnaeans written by Ignatius who was as already established, 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, there it is as translated into English from Greek. 

It was in Antioch that the early Church was called Catholic. Ignatius' letter to the Smyraeans was the first written record that we have which talks about the name of the early Church, as being  Catholic. 

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. We can also clearly see that in Ignatius' document which I quoted above, that he was speaking casually like it had already been in use by The Early Church for some time. 

By Joanne Utke

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

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