Catholic or Christian?

Have you ever heard a non-Catholic tell you, “I’m Christian and you’re Catholic?”

You might be told that since the term, “Christian” is in scripture and “Catholic” isn’t.  This is usually presented as proof that the name “Catholic” came along centuries later, which is not the case.  That’s like asking a man whether he is a man or a human.  The plain fact is that Catholics were the very first Christians.

Believers were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26).  It is interesting to note that the 1^st century bishop of Antioch (St. Ignatius) referred to the “Catholic Church” in a letter to the Smyrnaeans while on the way to his death by martyrdom just a few decades later.  His use of the term makes it clear that the Church was being called the “Catholic Church” for some time.  The word, “Catholic” is derived from the Greek word, katholikos or kath olos, which means, universal or whole.  The Greek manuscripts of Acts 9:31 speak of ekklesia (church) kath olos (catholic). 

The writings of the Early Church Fathers illustrate that they had the very same beliefs that we Catholics of the 21^st century have, including:  the Holy Eucharist, the Real Presence, Sunday worship, the Perpetual Virginity of the Blessed Mother, Infant Baptism, Confession, Church Authority, etc.

Our “Bible-only” friends might also be reminded of the fact that simply because something isn’t explicitly mentioned in Scripture doesn’t mean that it is invalid.  For instance, the word “Trinity” is not explicitly named in the Bible but it is implicitly taught and is an essential belief of the Christian faith.  A list of the books that should be in the Bible is not in the Bible - for that matter, the word “Bible” isn’t in the Bible.  It was the Catholic Church who coined these words and declared the canon of Scripture under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:12-15).  The Catholic Church was founded by Christ and grew under the leadership of the Apostles and their successors who were led to all truth under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:12-15).  Our non-Catholic friends can only trace their respective denominations back to the 16^th century or later.

Whereas, every single Protestant denomination was started by a fallible human being, the Catholic Church was built by Jesus, the son of God – God himself.

Are we Catholic - or Christian?  We’re both.