Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 10/2/2006

Question
is it true that the first official christian church was the roman catholic church?

Answer
Marvon,

Thanks for you question. The simple answer is no. Let us look at what the word "church means in the original language.

Church; Ekklesia, ek-klay-see'-ah
The called out ones.
A gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly.
An assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting.
The whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth  

The church is those who have been born-again by faith through grace, are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Holy Bible, and have separated themselves from the worldly system. Jesus told Peter that He would build His church (the true church) upon the revelation Peter received, and not (as catholic’s claim) upon Peter himself.

Matt. 16:14-18
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am ?  
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  

Before Christ ascended to heaven, He promised to pour out of His Spirit upon the disciples who were waiting in Jerusalem. In Acts 2 we find 120 praying in an upper room, and their God pours out the Holy Ghost upon them. After this the Bible says for the first time God added to His church.

Acts 2:47
Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

So to sum up my answer the "official church" was started in
Jerusalem. However the church itself is not bound by location, titles, or creeds of men. The church is everyone that is a true Believer in Jesus Christ. We are apart of His body on the Earth.

Col.1:24
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

Please let me know if this helps,
Elder Greg Madden