Formation and Key Features of Catholicism
Formation of Catholicism The formation of the Catholic Church began with the teachings of Jesus Christ in the early first century AD, in the province of Judea of the Roman Empire. It was established through Christ, when he appointed the Apostle Peter as the first visible head of the Catholic Church. “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it... Feed my lambs; feed My sheep" (Matt. 16:18 - 19; John 21:15 -17). With strong belief in Jesus as the Messiah and living Son of God, Jesus entrusted Peter to carry on his role as a teacher of the Word. After his ascension, the apostles began to spread the message of Christ through various letters and ministries, which gave rise to the beginnings early Christian Church. The religion spread throughout the Roman Empire. It was originally illegal in Rome, but with Constantine’s influence (he believed it could unite the Roman Empire), he established religious toleration with the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, which accepted Catholic Christianity. Roman Catholicism eventually became the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380 AD. Key Features of Catholicism God, Jesus, Mary God is the creator of all living things. Catholics believe in Mary, the Mother of God, who gave birth to Jesus Christ, the son of God, who was sent by God to save mankind from sin. The Nicene Creed This is a profession of Catholic faith. Widely used in liturgies, it presents the basic catholic teaching about the nature of God. It explains the Church’s teachings about the Trinity, and states the beliefs of all Catholics. The Trinity Catholics believe that God, the one Supreme Being, is the Trinity of persons – God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Bible The Bible is the main book for the Catholic Faith is called the Bible, and is split into the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament focuses on the time before Jesus, especially the prophet of Moses, and includes the 10 Commandments, which guide Catholics on their beliefs and ways of life. The New Testament focuses on the life and legacy of Jesus and includes famous teachings such as the Beatitudes. Structure
Sacraments There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Marriage, Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick. Liturgies Catholics come together to worship God every Sunday. There are four major parts to the mass: The Introductory Rites, The Liturgy of the Word, The Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Concluding Rites. |
Bibliography
Websites
- The Formation and Key Features of Catholicism 2015, accessed 9 September 2016, <http://ecumenismcomparisonorthdox-catholic.weebly.com/key-features-of-catholicism.html>.
- When Was The Catholic Church founded?, accessed 12 September 2016, <http://www.catholicapologetics.info/apologetics/protestantism/origin.htm>.
- Roman Catholic Church Denomination 2016, accessed 15 September 2016, <http://christianity.about.com/od/denominations/p/catholicprofile.htm>.
- Catholicism 2016, accessed 19 September 2016, <http://www.religionfacts.com/catholicism>.
- Difference between Anglican and Catholic 2016, accessed 20 September 2016, <http://theydiffer.com/difference-between-anglican-and-catholic>.
- Roman Catholic Church 2014, accessed 21 September 2016, <http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/catholic/catholic_1.shtml>.
- Ecumenism and the Modern World 2015, accessed 21 September 2016, <http://ecumenismandthemodernworld.weebly.com>.
Images
- Saint Peter, jpg, Wikimedia, accessed 22 September 2016, <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Pope-peter_pprubens.jpg>.
- Roman Catholic Church, jpg, Wikimapiaedia, accessed 22 September 2016, <http://photos.wikimapia.org/p/00/01/06/24/81_big.jpg>.
- The Nicene Creed, jpg, Pinterest, accessed 22 September 2016, <https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/1d/2b/8a/1d2b8ab2295f44d9f78395900e8e391e.jpg>.
- Trinity, gif, god and science, accessed 22 September 2016, <http://www.godandscience.org/images/trinity1.gif>.
- The Holy Bible, png, pacificbible, accessed 22 September 2016, <http://pacificbible.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/holy-bible.png>.
- Pope Francis, jpg, Wikimedia, accessed 22 September 2016, <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Pope_Francis_Korea_Haemi_Castle_19_(cropped).jpg>.
- Eucharist, jpg, Wikimedia, accessed 22 September 2016, <http://www.mbschurch.org/images/eucharist.jpg>.