For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Larry Truelove
It is interesting to note that the original Church had no pope, contrary to what Roman Catholicism teaches. If it did Paul would not have challenged Peter as mentioned in Galatians. If it had, Peter would have resolved the issue of circumcision in Acts 15 and would have addressed the church at Jerusalem instead of James.
Donald Woody
The Catholic church has its origins set in the evolution of the first century church later becoming the dominat religous institution when Constantine 1 made Christianity the State Religion of the Roman Empire. After the collapse of the empire the church in the west gain power by religously enslaving people via the popes and papacy throughout the middle ages taking up where the Roman Empire left off. Like the pagan religion of Rome that precedec it the Church began taking on traits of other religion and even some of the old roman pagans and they even made things up and popes were virtually worshiped like the emporers of Rome. The Catholic church started out as the church of Christ in Rome but later did not hold Hias teaching and went astay into apsotasy and it is largely still there today.
Bruce Lyon
If you want a view of the Roman Catholic Church read the "Two Babylons" my Hislop....
Notice this:
Revelation 2:12-13: And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know your works, and where you dwell, even where Satan’s seat is: and you hold fast my name, and have not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells.
Notice the angel is revealing to John that Pergamos is where Satan's seat is, where Satan dwells. I wondered about that verse which is probably referring to the beginning of the development of what became the Roman Catholic Church in the 3rd century A.D. It is interesting that many years earlier Julius Caesar transported priests of the Babylonian Mystery Religion to Pergamos. So in answer to you question the Roman Catholic Church is now the proponent of the Babylonian Mystery Religion and is using the names of Jesus and Mary in place of the names of Samiamis and Horus.
Notice:
Revelation 14:8" And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
This church that claims to represent the lord Jesus receives ambassadors from every country in the world and mixes with the affairs of this world that is ruled over now by the god of this world, Satan who has made his residence at Rome a habitation of demons.... The priests of the Babylonian Mystery Religion I mentioned earlier moved to Rome from Pergamos around the end of the 3rd century.
Revelation 17:5: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS - the Protestant Churches that came out from her and have maintained much of what that church teaches - AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Revelation 18:4: And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues.
This a warning for all of those who are involved with this abomination of the earth to come out of her as individual who are dedicated to following the scriptures only dedicating themselves to to a real sola scriptura and living out their lives in subjection to their master and lord Jesus the anointed one!
Cindy Jennings
There is no Biblical basis for a international church. All of the churches in Acts were LOCAL churches. Never is there a call for one united church, other than the body of Christ, which is the true universal church and which includes ALL Christians.
Richard Ramey
Cindy, I agree with your statement except all churches were local.
Here is a list of the named churches in the book Acts - lydda, joppa, caesares, ends of the earth, antioxh, jerusalem, cyprus, lystra, berbe, troas, athens, corinth, ephezians, Macedonia, achaia, rome.