CATHOLIC
What Does the Bible Say about Catholics?
The term Catholic originates with a Greek word, katholikos , which means "general" or "universal." The expression is not found in the Scriptures but has been employed in various senses in church history.
Justin Martyr (Dialog lxxxi) used the term for the general or universal resurrection of the dead at the end of time.
In later history, the Western church headquartered in Rome adopted this name to distinguish itself from the Eastern Greek Orthodox movement. Today, the Roman Catholic Church applies the title exclusively to itself.
In his debate with Bishop John Purcell, Alexander Campbell argued that the "Holy Roman Catholic Church" is neither holy, Roman, catholic, nor in any legitimate sense, the church.
The term "catholic" is sometimes applied to seven New Testament epistles that were more general in their intended recipients than some of the other letters. These are: James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1, 2, 3 John, and Jude.
Justin Martyr (Dialog lxxxi) used the term for the general or universal resurrection of the dead at the end of time.
In later history, the Western church headquartered in Rome adopted this name to distinguish itself from the Eastern Greek Orthodox movement. Today, the Roman Catholic Church applies the title exclusively to itself.
In his debate with Bishop John Purcell, Alexander Campbell argued that the "Holy Roman Catholic Church" is neither holy, Roman, catholic, nor in any legitimate sense, the church.
The term "catholic" is sometimes applied to seven New Testament epistles that were more general in their intended recipients than some of the other letters. These are: James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1, 2, 3 John, and Jude.
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Adapted from the book "Bible Words and Theological Terms Made Easy" by Wayne Jackson
