The origin of the Catholic Church is found in the Bible, in Matthew, Chapter 16:13-20.

Jesus established one Church, with a man to preside over it, and authority to pass along. Included in that authority is the explicit authority to baptize, preach, and forgive sins. (Matt 16:13-20, Matt 18:18, John 20:19-23, and Matt: 28:19.)

There was no debate about this among the Apostles. There was no discussion of this in the early Church. Or for the fifteen centuries following Christ. That counts for something.

Objective: In this course, students will learn about the origin of the Catholic Church. Students will learn why the Church was established, who the first Pope was and how the Church remained undivided for a long time. 

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