Where is the word Catholic found in the bible?
We don't actually read the English word "Catholic" in the bible. Don't stop reading now, please stay with me this gets more interesting.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.
I will explain...
The Greek term katholikos in which "Catholic" is derived, means "universal" or "general" (from kata, by or according to; holos, whole) and sometimes rendered by Bible translators as "throughout all" as you will see below.
The Greek term katholikos in which "Catholic" is derived, means "universal" or "general" (from kata, by or according to; holos, whole) and sometimes rendered by Bible translators as "throughout all" as you will see below.
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 Catholic 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 here the term "church" is translated from the Greek word "ekklesia"
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 in this form!
When was the term "katholikos" which is rendered in English as "Catholic" first used regarding the Church, 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 a post apostolic writer.
As recorded in the book of Acts. The followers of Christ were first called Christians in Antioch, (Acts 11:19-26, keep that verse in mind for later).
Not only does this Church that Christ established have the power of binding and loosing; the Authority of Christ on earth, this Church is "the pillar and foundation of truth" as Paul has taught us. Note: Some translations say buttress instead of foundation, but they mean the same thing.
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 already established as 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 Christian's were called Christians and it was in Antioch that the Church was called Catholic!
"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 Catholic 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 here the term "church" is translated from the Greek word "ekklesia"
Remember when I said that "katholikos" is mentioned in the Bible in a root form? I will show you that now.
Acts 9:31 doesn't mention the word "Katholikos" but, it does, however, use the phrase, "ekklesia kath holos," which is translated in most Bible translators as "the Church throughout all."
Acts 9:31 doesn't mention the word "Katholikos" but, it does, however, use the phrase, "ekklesia kath holos," which is translated in most Bible translators as "the Church throughout all."
From this we derive the word "katholos." And from there we get "Katholikos," And Catholicos, until finally we reach the word "Catholic."
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 in this form!
When was the term "katholikos" which is rendered in English as "Catholic" first used regarding the Church, 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 a post apostolic writer.
Many of his letters were written in Greek while he was an old man, while on the road to martyrdom in the 2nd century.
These were his final teachings to The Church and the faithful Christians 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 either.
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.
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 either.
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, keep that verse in mind for later).
The same Antioch where Ignatius was Bishop, in which he succeeded third from Peter, as Bishop of Antioch.
Ok, before we continue, I wanted to say a little something about the Church in the Bible.
Jesus indeed founded a Church. And He didn't say churches in the plural, He created one Church.
Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:16-19
We see in Matthew 16 that Christ established a Church that has Authority here on earth. In other words an extension of Christ's Authority, here on earth.
Here's another passage that shows the Church that Christ established with Peter, has authority over the disputes of Christians. We also have more binding and loosing terminology.
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:15-18
Not only does this Church that Christ established have the power of binding and loosing; the Authority of Christ on earth, this Church is "the pillar and foundation of truth" as Paul has taught us. Note: Some translations say buttress instead of foundation, but they mean the same thing.
We read...
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:14-15
Let us continue on with Ignatius...
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 from Scripture they also chose those who would succeed them in order to keep the teachings and traditions of Christ going throughout history.
And, we know from Scripture 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.
"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 already established as 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 Christian's were called Christians and it was in Antioch that the Church was called Catholic!
Ignatius' letter to the Smyraeans was the first written record that we have today, 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
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