What Is The Difference Between The Catholic Church And The Body Of Christ ?

[HollyRock]

Two Churches...One Doctrine...???

[-SEEKING-]

The Catholic Church is PART of the Body of Christ.

[Redeemed by Grace]

Sometimes folks use this to refer this as to the one 'universal' church, mostly found within the the Nicene or Apostolic Creeds. Or simply stated, not any one denomination but all the folks who are saved across all denominations.

[HollyRock]

The Catholic Church is PART of the Body of Christ.

Then what is that part which separates the two ?

[Luciano Vinci]

The Body of Christ is One and has many members (1Cor. 12:12). Any sect or denomination by definition makes itself no longer part of the Body as One. Oh Oh, I belong to a denomination. The only thing I believe that can break down the walls of sectarianism and denominationism is a great tribulation or persecution of the Christian churches in America. Bring on the great and the terrible Day of the Lord! Just not yet, let me get my house in order.

[Theophilus]

The catholic Church is the universal Church, that is, the entire body of believers...the body of Christ. Catholic (little "c") simply means universal.

Now, the Roman Catholic church is "branch" of the Christian faith...a "denomination", if you will. (Protestants (with their muliple denominational and non-denominational churches) and the Greek Orthodox faith are what I could consider the two other "main" branches of the Christian faith.)

That's why I'm very specific to refer to my friends in the Roman Catholic belief "system" as Roman Catholics, not just Catholics.

It's a distinction that many people don't make, but it's a big difference.

Every Christian is part of the (little "c") catholic Church, but only Roman Catholics are part of the Roman Catholic faith.

[BrianW]

I will be moving this thread to the Areopagus section of the board with a redirect.

To find answers to this question you must first know the history of the Roman Catholic Church and the Reformation led by Martin Luther.

IN a nutshell:

After a long history the Roman Catholic Church was selling, for money, what were called "Indulgences" that were said to give freedom from the sins one committed.
They were also teaching that salvation was the result of works opposed to grace. Martin Luther challenged this and said that the teaching was in opposition to scripture.

Martin Luther also boldly challenged the authority of the Pope and said that scripture (The Bible) was divinely revealed knowledge from God and the only source of divinely revealed knowledge. (At this times the pope was said to speak for God similar to the way that Moses did)


Martin Luther was also the first one to translate the bible into common languages that people could read (First in German) that led in time to the first English translation as well enabling people to read and discern the word of God themselves instead of just relying on the dictates of the church to tell them what to believe and how to be in accordance with God.

Basically Martin Luther challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic church and it's teachings and practices that were contrary to scripture and led the reformation of the church. He also placed the scripture (The Bible) into the hands of the people so that they could read and know God's truth themselves.

Of course there was much more to this before, during and after the reformation, and there are many good books out there that lay it out in detail for you to read.

[-SEEKING-]

Then what is that part which separates the two ?

Separates? What do you mean? Can you be a little more specific?

[schlot]

Maybe she means what is the "other" part of the body of Christ if the catholic church is just part of it?

[Jemand]

Two Churches...One Doctrine...???

The body of Christ is one body with many branches. The three main branches are:

1. The Catholic Churches
2. The Western Churches
3. The Eastern Churches

The two main branches of the Catholic Church are:

1. The Roman Catholic Church
2. The Eastern Catholic Church

The two main branches of the Western Churches are:

1. The Protestant Churches
2. The Anglican Churches

The three main branches of the Eastern Church are:

1. The Eastern Orthodox Church
2. The Oriental Orthodox Churches
3. The Assyrian Church

[-SEEKING-]

I will be moving this thread to the Areopagus section of the board with a redirect.

I don't think the OP will be able to post in here anymore since they are new and have less than 40 posts.

[HollyRock]

You said that the Catholic Church is a part of the Body of Christ, so I was just wondering, since it's just a part of the Body of Christ but not fully, then what is the distinction between the two ? What makes it only a part ?

[gringo300]

If I understand correctly, there are various Eastern Orthodox Churches and various Oriental Orthodox Churches, not just one of each.

[Jemand]

If I understand correctly, there are various Eastern Orthodox Churches and various Oriental Orthodox Churches, not just one of each.

The Eastern Orthodox Church is one denomination. The Oriental Orthodox Church is actually six separate but very similar denominations:

Armenian Orthodox Church
Coptic Orthodox Church
Ethiopian Orthodox Church
Eritrean Orthodox Church
Syriac Orthodox Church
Indian Orthodox Church

I changed the wording of my earlier post from “Oriental Orthodox Church” to “Oriental Orthodox Churches” to make my post more precise.

[jesse]

You said that the Catholic Church is a part of the Body of Christ, so I was just wondering, since it's just a part of the Body of Christ but not fully, then what is the distinction between the two ? What makes it only a part ?

The difference is that catholic church initially meant "all believers" but then it grew into a specific church. The Holy Roman Catholic Church and many off shoots. Sort of like "100% pure beef" and "100% Pure Beef TM" from McDonalds.

Now a days people just say the "church" or the "body of Christ" to refer to all people of different sects that believe in Jesus.

Side note* The "church" refers to the people not the building.

Some members of the Roman Catholic Church may belong to the actual "church" or "catholic church" or "body of Christ" as well as some members of other sects. It depends on what they believe as to weather or not they are a "true" Christian.

Note that when "catholic" is used with a lower case "c" it generally refers to every christian. However a capital "C" will usually denote the sect of Christianity.

Hope that helps.