Origin Catholic Religion

QUESTION: Origin Catholic religion - How did it begin?

ANSWER:

The origin of the Catholic Church is said to be from Jesus Christ. Many consider it be one of the oldest religious institutions in history. The word “catholic” means universal and indicates the spreading of the Catholic Church around the globe.

The church teaches that it was founded by Jesus Christ through Peter the Apostle. They say that three days after Jesus died and rose again, he established the new church and named Peter as the first Bishop (later known as Pope). Matthew 16:18-19 says, "Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you lock on earth will be locked in heaven, and whatever you open on earth will be opened in heaven."

In AD 69, Peter is martyred and is succeeded by Saint Linus as Pope. The word Catholic is first used around 110 (authenticity is debated) in a historical letter from Ignatius of Antioch.