When a Protestant Argues; "The first Christian's were not Catholic"

Some protestants will claim that the first Christian’s in the Early Church were not Catholic, to disprove the Church's Apostolic Succession ( direct line from the current Pope Francis all the way back to St Peter the first Pope, that we have no basis for the traditions we hold. But actual history shows that the Apostles and early Christians were indeed Catholic. Lets have a look at some of the many examples.

Of course after Peter we had St. Linus (our 2nd Pope) whose name also comes up in Scripture (2 Tim 4:21)  “Make haste to come before winter Eubulus and Pudens, and Linus and Claudia, and all the brethren, salute thee.”

(“The blessed apostles having founded and established the church entrusted the office of the episcopate to Linus. Paul speaks of this Linus in his Epistles to Timothy” (Catalogue of the Bishops of Rome, Eusebius of Cesarea)

St. Clement of Rome (death approx. 96AD) Not only was Clement (our 4th Pope), but he is mentioned in the bible as one of St Pauls’ brothers, See DRB Phil 4:3 and also in the KJV in Phil 4:3. Needless to say St. Clement didn’t teach salvation by faith alone.

“Let us clothe ourselves with concord and humility, ever exercising self-control, standing far off from all whispering and evil-speaking, being justified by our works, and not our words."

Student of the Apostle St. John, St. Ignatius of Antioch (35-107 A.D)

You must all follow the lead of the bishop, as Jesus Christ followed that of the Father; follow the presbytery as you would the Apostles; reverence the deacons as you would God's commandment. Let no one do anything touching the Church, apart from the bishop. Let that celebration of the Eucharist be considered valid which is held under the bishop or anyone to whom he has committed it. Where the bishop appears, there let the people be, just as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not permitted without authorization from the bishop either to baptize or to hold an agape; but whatever he approves is also pleasing to God. Thus everything you do will be proof against danger and valid.

No need for me to explain anything here.

Saint Irenaeus of Lyons (130-202AD)

“The truth is to be found nowhere else but in the Catholic Church, the sole depository of apostolical doctrine. Heresies are of recent formation, and cannot trace their origin up to the apostles.”

(Adversus Haereses, Book III, chapter 4 Prologue)

Moving right along from 1st and 2nd century up to the 3rd we have 

Saint Cyprian of Carthage (205-258AD)

“Let the lapsed, however, who acknowledge the greatness of their sin, not depart from entreating the Lord, nor forsake the Catholic Church, which has been appointed one and alone by the Lord; but, continuing in their atonements and entreating the Lord's mercy,”

(Epistle LXIII-5, to Epictetus)

St Augustine is sometimes bravely quoted by protestants.

“Before His suffering the Lord Jesus Christ, as you know, chose His disciples, whom He called Apostles. Among these Apostles almost everywhere Peter alone merited to represent the whole Church. For the sake of his representing the whole Church, which he alone could do, he merited to hear, I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven (Matt 16:19).”

Sermons 295, 2, 391 A.D.

“This Church is Holy, the One Church, the True Church, the Catholic Church, fighting as she does against all heresies. She can fight, but she cannot be beaten. All heresies are expelled from her, like the useless loppings pruned from a vine. She remains fixed in her root, in her vine, in her love. The gates of hell shall not conquer her.”

Sermon to Catechumens, on the Creed, 6,14, 395 A.D.

St Jerome (347-420AD)

“The truth is that all we who hold the Catholic faith, wish and long that, while the heresy is condemned, the men may be reformed. At all events, if they will continue in error, the blame does not attach to us who have written, but to them, since they have preferred a lie to the truth.”

(Against the Pelagians, 417 A.D., book I-2 )

There are many other writings of the Early Church Fathers testifying of the Catholic Church. I will end this brief post with Scripture which have much in common with these Saints listed above.

Acts 20:28 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)

28 Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

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