The difference between Christianity and Catholicism

[Byrd]

The Protestant churches might like to claim more authenticity, but the original church (which didn't change much because it was so rigid) is the Catholic church.  While the early Church fathers might recognize a lot of what's in the Catholic church as being of their faith, they'd be puzzled (or horrified by) by sects such as the Pentecostals.

[Creaky]

The Protestant churches might like to claim more authenticity, but the original church (which didn't change much because it was so rigid) is the Catholic church.  While the early Church fathers might recognize a lot of what's in the Catholic church as being of their faith, they'd be puzzled (or horrified by) by sects such as the Pentecostals.

So, there was no church before Constantine, before Rome took it over, Christianity didn’t exist, really? 
is that what you are implying? 

I am Not a Pentecostal or charismatic so not my job to defend them but there are charismatic Roman Catholics
https://www.ccr.org.au/about-ccr/what-is...ic-renewal
https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive...ecoctalism
And they follow the Nicene creed, meaning they would be accepted

[Maxmars]

So, there was no church before Constantine, before Rome took it over, Christianity didn’t exist, really? 
is that what you are implying? 

I am Not a Pentecostal or charismatic so not my job to defend them but there are charismatic Roman Catholics
https://www.ccr.org.au/about-ccr/what-is...ic-renewal
https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive...ecoctalism
And they follow the Nicene creed, meaning they would be accepted

I always thought the whole idea of "Catholic" was meant to directly imply that everyone can be accepted in the community, with only some exigent circumstances being excepted... "unwillingness" being chief among them.

Not sure if the idea of being charismatic somehow alters the individual's faith.  Isn't that more of an overt decision about behavior in worshipping?  Why would they be considered somehow 'excluded?'

By the way, I didn't get the impression that Byrd was saying Christianity (or perhaps Catholicism) didn't exist until after Constantine's Nicene Council... maybe I'm confused.

[Creaky]

I always thought the whole idea of "Catholic" was meant to directly imply that everyone can be accepted in the community, with only some exigent circumstances being excepted... "unwillingness" being chief among them.

Not sure if the idea of being charismatic somehow alters the individual's faith.  Isn't that more of an overt decision about behavior in worshipping?  Why would they be considered somehow 'excluded?'

By the way, I didn't get the impression that Byrd was saying Christianity (or perhaps Catholicism) didn't exist until after Constantine's Nicene Council... maybe I'm confused.

Byrd seemed to me to insinuate that the Roman Catholic Church was the “original” church as I understood his post. 
For first 300 odd years of christianity, the faith was banned in Rome, they killed Christian’s in Rome
https://www.gotquestions.org/origin-Cath...hurch.html, historical record doesn’t seem to indicate the early church was a Roman creation, more an enemy to Rome

my point, before Roman Catholicism, before Constantine, the christian church was functioning without any assistance from Romes authority

and no, I don’t want to be accepted by the Roman Catholic Church, universal or not

[Maxmars]

Oh. I understand your meaning now. 
Thank you.

[Byrd]

So, there was no church before Constantine, before Rome took it over, Christianity didn’t exist, really? 
is that what you are implying? 

I am Not a Pentecostal or charismatic so not my job to defend them but there are charismatic Roman Catholics
https://www.ccr.org.au/about-ccr/what-is...ic-renewal
https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive...ecoctalism
And they follow the Nicene creed, meaning they would be accepted

There was no formal church, no.  No formal creed, no formal set of books that everyone used.  There was a lot of fierce infighting over whose rules should be followed, but the consensus of the majority of the groups of believers is the practice that became the Catholic Church.

Minority groups like the Essenes did not have many of their ideas adopted.  Other minority groups were eliminated (often in warfare.)

But the original faith that swept the world was that of the Catholic Church.  Protestantism is an evolution from that, but not an evolution that took place by going back to original manuscripts and trying to find what the original practices were.  So, yes, it's not what the originators would have recognized.

[Creaky]

There was no formal church, no. 
No formal creed,
no formal set of books that everyone used.  There was a lot of fierce infighting over whose rules should be followed, but the consensus of the majority of the groups of believers is the practice that became the Catholic Church.

Minority groups like the Essenes did not have many of their ideas adopted. 

Other minority groups were eliminated (often in warfare.)

But the original faith that swept the world was that of the Catholic Church.  Protestantism is an evolution from that, but not an evolution that took place by going back to original manuscripts and trying to find what the original practices were.  So, yes, it's not what the originators would have recognized.

there were plenty of formal churches pre the Nicene council, plenty of denominations, not sure how you can deny that
The apostle Paul’s letters clearly indicates such

if you mean catholic as in a universal faith belief, ok I agree
if you mean catholic as Roman Catholic, nah, 

no creed, so what, I am non creedal Christian. I don’t need a creed

Rome was not and still is not the centre of christianity, Jesus is
Constantine didn’t end christian persecution till 300ad, so how Rome had a pope is a little ridiculous, read that again Byrd

rome catholicism did not sweep the world, it conquered the world with swords and blood, under Roman military power, no wonder people hate christians 
The opposite of Christs teachings

As for original faith teachings
the pope changes Roman catholicism as required, a bulla here, there, anywhere, especially when more money was required. Not unlike Jehovah Witnesses of recent

at least the Protestants went back to the bible, the original transcripts, manuscripts and teachings
yes, Protestantism has many issues, no denying
I can say that as my faith is not in man or the church itself, my faith is in Jesus