One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic: The Early Church Was the Catholic Church

by Kenneth D. Whitehead

Very often in the history of Christianity, "reformers", by whatever name, have aspired to return to "the early Church". The Church of their own day, for whatever reason, fails to live up to what they think Christianity should in their view there has been a falling away from the beautiful ideals of the early Church. Kenneth Whitehead shows in this book how the early Church has, in fact, not disappeared, but rather has survived and persisted, and is with us still. "Reformers" are not so much the ones needed by this Church as are those who aspire to be saints—to follow Christ seriously and always to fulfill God's holy will by employing the means of sanctification which Christ continues to provide in the Church. Whitehead shows how the visible body which today bears the name "the Catholic Church" is the same Church which Christ established to carry on and perpetuate in the world his Words and his Works—and his own divine Life—and to bring salvation and sanctification to all mankind. Despite superficial differences in certain appearances, the worldwide Catholic Church today remains the same Church that was originally founded by Jesus Christ on Peter and the other apostles back in the first century in the ancient Near East. The early Church, 

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Church History, Catholic

334 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2000

Reviews

[Zach de Walsingham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This effectively rebutted many of the claims of Restorationists who believe the early Church went apostate either after the apostles died or with Constantine, but since it stops in the 550s, it did not address many of the issues the Reformers saw as later (13-15th century) innovations.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive look into how the early church developed in its understanding and governance of the Church built on Kepha, the Rock who was given the keys to the Kingdom by Christ.

[John Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting historical and theological review of the Church, especially the primacy of the Pope and the Magisterium of the Church. It discusses all the heretical movements through the early years (until about the 5th century) of the Church and how in each (and every) case the papal office always prevailed in guiding the Church's truth as given by Jesus' promise to Peter. It also builds the case of why the "see of Rome" is the authoritative center of the Catholic Church, even (in in spite of) movement of the imperial center to Constantinople. (It also talks of the many East/West divisions in the early Church, will still persist today.)

[Erik]

Listed by Patrick Madrid in the Reading Plan of Search and Rescue in Phase 2 (Intermediate). ("excellent introduction to the early Church")

[Luis · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far a great read, easy to read and understand, overall well explained and a teaching tool to understand and explained the one true catholic faith.