Expert: Sal - 11/29/2008

Question
Hey there, Sal,

I was wondering... I know (and believe) the Catholic Church is the true and first Church of Christ.  One of the big ways we see definite evidence of this because of the lineage of our Popes leading all the way back to Peter.  Could you give me some more evidence of how we're directly related to Christ?  I don't need it for reassurance, haha.  I love the Church, I would just like to know, I tend to get in a lot of discussions about this and would like to be able to back myself up more thoroughly.

Thanks and God Bless!
Cheyloe

Answer
Dear Cheyloe:

Another way to know that we are the Church established by Christ is to check our beliefs against those of the early Church. Get a good book of the writings of the Church Fathers. I've found William Jurgens, "The Faith of the Early Fathers" in 3 volumes to be excellent. The early Church taught the Real Presence, Mary as the Mother of God, the intercession of the Saints, Purgatory, the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, etc. The Church Fathers taught nothing not Catholic and many things not Protestant.

If I can be of further help just let me know.

Good Luck,
Sal