When considering Jesus and the establishment of a church, there are a couple of things that must be ruled out. First; Jesus didn’t come writing a book or with a book in hand and he certainly didn’t hand us the Bible. Secondly; He didn't even instruct the apostles to write a book. Third; He didn't create an abstract of an ideology which could be tailored to each persons liking.

Jesus came to build a church. Not multple churches with conflicting doctrines but a singular church. Jesus Christ called us to “be brought to perfection as one.”[1] This calls for a fullness of belief in all of what Christ taught including being one in unity, but this must be done with charity. Jesus taught them “There shall be one fold and one shepherd.”[2] 

When he speaks of establishing His church he was not concerned with some ediface with four walls such as a temple like the jews had, but rather His church would be the living body of Christ. This church as the living body of Christ would have a real authority with continuity. It would also be a church with His purpose to continue his Mission that he began.[3] Therefore, His church was to convey His teachings and grace, and establish his continued presence by way of providing the sacraments.

It was in 107AD where Saint Ignatius of Antioch used the term "Catholic" to describe the the church. “Ignatius was a disciple of the Apostle John. Ignatius used the Greek word "Katholicos" which meant "universal as it would be to mean 'inclusive of everyone.' Catholic describes a universal church, a church of which there is only one and it is for all people everywhere. He wrote, "Where ever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church."[4]

The Church Jesus wanted established was not from mere human ideology nor was it meant only to be a  spiritual idea as some sort of nubulous to loosely conncected people forming a so-called church. Rather, the early church was visible, vibrant, organized and had structure.[5] We find in the early curch bishops,[6] priests and deacons.[7]  

The church was very new during the apostolic age, but found in the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 15 where they met in the very first council of Jerusalem. The early church did this to resolve doctrinal disputes. You will also find the delivery to the universal church what the council decisions were and the handing on of what the apostles taught. 

When church leaders made binding decisions under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

And people today say Jesus founded Christianity not Catholicism. But Christianity is the word that’s used to describe the belief system of the people who followed Christ. “Christians!”  Christianity describes the belief system that comes from His teachings. Anybody who follows his teachings are Christians.

Because Jesus himself did not hand us a Bible or loose philosophy we know he hand us a church. He founded a Church and for the first 1500 years the Church was united under one Catholic Church.

It was united in belief and worship and leadership. So, what happened? Well! By the 1500’s the church had real corruption. Priests were scandalous, they were selling indulgences. Bishops abused power they were sinful men. But! The doctrine remained intact.

And then came Martin Luther, a Catholic monk, and he rightly called out all of that abuse. But instead of working within the church and reform the church, he broke away and he launched the Protestant Reformation in 1517, And that led to a flood of divisions. Lutherans and Calvinists; Anglicans and Methodists and Pentecostals. And today there are over 30,000 different denominations, all who interpret scripture in their own way.

Jesus did not say, “If the church leaders fail, break away and start your own.”

In Matthew 18:17 he says, “if he refuses to listen to them tell the church, If he refuses even to the church, then treat him as you would a gentile or tax collector.”

That implies one visible church with authority. And yes Jesus knew that there would be sinners within the church. And still in Matthew 16:18 says, “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

He didn’t say churches, he said church, one, one singular church, one living body of Christ. So, why isn’t everybody Catholic, because people followed men instead of the church that Christ founded. That church is still here, still universal, and it’s still Catholic. And it’s still Christ’s  

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[1] John 17:23

[2] John 10:16

[3] John 20:21 [Jesus} said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you."

[4]  St. Ignatius of Antioch, Ad Smyrn. 8, 2: Apostolic Fathers, II/2, 311

[5] Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists,others as pastors and teachers.

[6] 1 Timothy 3:2 Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperae, self controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach,

[7] 1 Timothy 3:8 Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain.