Expert: Sal - 2/28/2007

Question
Can you please tell me exactly in the book of Acts, where it first states the forming of the Catholic church. I read in Acts 11:19-30 where they were called Christians for the first time.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

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We were wondering if the Catholic religion was the first organized religion of Christianity?
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Hello Stacie:

Yes, Catholicism is the first organized religion of Christianity. It was begun by Jesus Christ. It's early history is recorded in the Book of Acts in the Bible. If I can be of further help just let me know.
God Bless You,
Sal

Answer
Dear Stacie:

The Book of Acts shows the birth of the Catholic Church in Acts 2. The Holy Spirit comes down upon the Apostles and the Prince of the Apostles, St. Peter, begins to tell the world of the necessity of repenting and being baptized into the Catholic Church. The preaching of St. Peter increased the Catholic Church by 3,000 souls that first day! Definitely a great beginning for the Church.

With that said, the Church does not have a nice neat line of beginning. Acts 2 is the official birth of the Catholic Church, but we see in Acts 1 Pope Peter replacing the fallen bishop Judas with Matthias (vv. 15-26). The Church in some form already existed since the Apostles were consecrated the first Catholic Bishops at the Last Supper.

God Be With You,
Sal