The
KJV, a Protestant translation of Scripture,
does not include the deuterocanonical books (
Tobit,
Judith,
Wisdom,
Sirach,
Baruch,
1 & 2 Maccabees, and additional portions of
Daniel and
Esther) that are considered canonical by Catholics. The KJV's translation of certain passages, like Gabriel's greeting to Mary, can differ from Catholic interpretations and teachings. For example, the KJV translates "Hail, thou that art highly favoured" instead of "Hail, full of grace".
The Church founded by
Jesus Christ and established by
the Apostles was called the
“Catholic Church” by the end of the
first century–some
1400 years
before anybody ever heard of a
“Protestant”. We see this in the
Letter to the Smyrnaeans by
Ignatius of Antioch, which was
already an established fact by the
beginning of the
second century:
"
Follow your bishop, every one of you,
as obediently as Jesus Christ followed the Father.
Obey your clergy too
as you would the apostles;
give your deacons the same reverence that you would to a command of God. Make sure that no step affecting the Church is ever taken by anyone without the bishop’s sanction. The sole
EUCHARIST you should consider valid is one that is
celebrated by the bishop himself, or by some person authorized by him. Where the bishop is to be seen, there let all his people be; just as,
wherever Jesus Christ is present, there is the CATHOLIC CHURCH (
Letter to the Smyrneans 8:2 [
A.D. 107]).
"In like manner let everyone
respect the deacons as they would respect Jesus Christ, and just as they
respect the bishop as a type of the Father, and the presbyters (priests) as the council of God and college of the apostles.
Without these, it cannot be called a Church. I am confident that you accept this, for I have received the exemplar of your love and have it with me in the person of your bishop. His very demeanor is a great lesson and his meekness is his strength. I believe that even the godless do respect him"(
Letter to the Trallians 3:1-2 [
A. D. 110]).
Follow, respect, and obey your clergy, such as the bishops, presbyters (priests), deacons...
The Eucharist...
The Catholic Church...
This is the
same Church that gave
The Bible...
The very existence of
multiple Christian denominations and pagan religions, or "other sheep", flies in the face of what Jesus spoke about, which was bringing in sheep of other folds into His
one Church (fold) and become
one flock.
"I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build
My Church (not churches), and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.” (Matt. 16:18)
"Most certainly I tell you,
whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven." (Matt. 18:18)
"I have
other sheep, which are
not of this fold. I must
bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become
one flock with one shepherd." (Jn. 10:16)
Jesus chose, taught, and prepared for three years His apostles to become the first leaders of His earthly Christian (Catholic) Church. A hierarchy was established the moment He chose them and began accumulating followers: He being the head of His bodily Church, the apostles His successors/leaders, and the believers. That line of succession has continued for over two-thousand years, with Peter's new successor being Pope Leo XIV. Jesus wants all people to be united with us under Him and His earthly successors, entrusted with His teachings, and the progression of His Church, not separated from us.
