The Great Apostasy
The Great Apostasy is often associated with the belief that mainstream churches have deviated from the original teachings of the bible from the time Jesus was crucified and the last apostle John died.
The term "Great Apostasy" is derived from passages in the New Testament, in particular 2 Thessalonians 2:3, where the Apostle Paul speaks of a rebellion or a widespread departure from true Christian faith and practice that must occur before the return of Christ.
Historically, the Great Apostasy is seen as a period when the early church's doctrines were altered, incorporating elements from Greco-Roman culture and pagan traditions
This concept is used to explain the formation of various christian groups and the perceived need for a return to the original teachings of Christ. Some Christian groups, like the Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and Jehovah's Witnesses, believe that traditional Catholics fell into apostasy and that their movements represent a restoration of the original faith.
The concept of the Great Apostasy is largely theological and interpretive, but there are historical events and developments that some point to as evidence of a departure from early Christian teachings. Here are a few key points often cited:
The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) is often mentioned because it formalized many doctrines, including the nature of Christ and the Trinity, which some argue were not explicitly defined in early teachings.
Certain practices, such as the veneration of saints and the use of religious icons, were influenced by pre-Christian pagan traditions.
Restorationist Movements:
Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin argued that the medieval Catholic Church had strayed far from biblical teachings, necessitating a return to the original doctrines of Christianity.
The Latter-day Saints Church teaches that a Great Apostasy occurred after the death of the apostles, leading to the loss of true priesthood authority and necessitating a restoration through Joseph Smith.
While these points are often cited as evidence, the concept of the Great Apostasy is deeply rooted in theological perspectives and is not universally accepted.
Aside from this, other specific changes in doctrine are often cited as evidence of the Great Apostasy. Here are a few key examples:
The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) established the doctrine of the Trinity, affirming that Jesus Christ is of the same substance as God the Father.
The Doctrine of Original Sin is an idea that all humans inherit sin from Adam and Eve became more formalized, particularly through the writings of Augustine of Hippo.
Infant Baptism is the practice of baptizing infants to cleanse them of inherited original sin.
The practice of venerating saints and seeking their intercession became common, which some argue was influenced by earlier pagan practices of hero worship.
Beliefs about the Virgin Mary, such as her perpetual virginity, immaculate conception, and assumption into heaven, were developed and formalized over time.
The Sacrament of the Eucharist evolved, with the doctrine of transubstantiation (the belief that the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ) being formally defined in the 12th century.
The sacrament of confession and the practice of penance became more structured and institutionalized.
Note that these changes reflect the evolving nature of Christian doctrine and practice over centuries. Different Christian traditions interpret these developments in various ways, with some viewing them as necessary clarifications and others as departures from original teachings.
Due to these changes in the original word of God, the corrupt leaders of the Roman church, and its teachings derived from paganism, the Catholic churches at that time were fighting and splitting. The separation of the Greek church (Greek Orthodox) from the Latin church (Roman Catholic) was called the Great Schism.
The Roman Catholic Church became the church in the west, and the Greek Orthodox Catholic Church became the church in the east. The Catholic church was established in Rome, and the Orthodox church in Constantinople, Turkey. Due to disagreements in their beliefs about God, the Bible, and practices, they excommunicated each other. Thus, there were two papal seats: one in Rome and one in Turkey.
Because the teachings and church of Christ changed from the original teachings and church of God, various religions and churches gradually emerged to restore them. This was the era of the "Reformist Movement," which represented the restoration of the original faith. The first to break away from the Catholic Church was the Protestants (1517). This was followed by the Lutherans (1530), Presbyterians (1536), Anglicans (1534), Episcopalians (1609), Congregationalists (1608), United Brethren (1610), Baptists (1644), Methodists (1739), Unitarians (1787), Mormons (1830), Christian Scientists (1870), Salvation Army (1876), Jehovah's Witnesses (1886), Seventh-Day Adventists (1844), Iglesia ni Cristo (1914), and others.
However, these religions cannot be considered the true church of God for several reasons: first, they do not agree with Catholic teachings; second, they broke away from the Catholic Church; third, these churches have their own teachings that differ from the original Bible; fourth, these divisions are strictly condemned by the Bible (I Cor. 1:10); and fifth, they do not bear the four marks of the true church of God.
Because the Bible used by churches today is not the original work of God, it says in Galatians that all who use it will be severely cursed by God.
In this episode, we have proven that since Christ and his apostles died, the Bible and the church of Christ have been endangered by the Romans. Due to translations from Hebrew, Greek, and Latin; due to the interference of Roman leaders and priests, and due to the additions of pagan beliefs, these changes in the Bible are a deviation from the original teachings of God. Because of this apostasy, the Reformation and restoration of belief in God began, where various churches and religions gradually emerged and proclaimed themselves as the true churches of God.
For these reasons, we have proven that the Bible used today is no longer pure and truly the work of God, where the New Testament was added to the Old Testament.
In the next episode, we will discuss the history of the Catholic Church and the Four Marks of the True Church of God based on (Matthew 16:18), (Acts 2), and (Colossians 1:18).
In summary of our discussions in this podcast, from the first episode until now, we have proven that there is no God based on the evidence we have discussed, such as:
1. The formation of the Bible as seen in episode #4
2. The true church of God and the false churches as seen in episode #5
3. The original Bible and its original teachings as seen in episodes #6, 7, and 8
4. The errors, additions, and lies in the Bible as seen in episode #9
5. The name Jesus Christ is not in the Bible, the explanation is in episode #10
6. Jesus is not the true Messiah, the explanation is in episode #11
7. The obscenities of Jesus as seen in episode #12
8. The true appearance of Christ as seen in episode #13
9. The evils of God are discussed in episode #14.
10. Who or what created God is explored in episode #15.
11. Whether God is male or female is covered in episode #16.
12. The claim that the world is the center of the universe is in episode #17.
13. Why humans do not have souls is in episode #18.
14. Why there is no heaven is in episode #19.
15. Where the mark of God is located is in episode #20.
16. UFOs as vehicles to heaven are in episode #21.
17. Christ is not the son of God is in episode #22.
18. The great apostasy is in episode #23.
The New Testament was believed to be written before Constantine's time. The Apostolic Age refers to the period from around 30 AD (the time of Jesus' resurrection and the Great Commission) to about 100 AD (the death of the last apostle, traditionally John) . This period is characterized by the direct influence and leadership of the apostles in spreading Christianity and establishing early Christian communities.
The books of the New Testament were written during the Apostolic Age, primarily between 30 AD and 100 AD. These include the Gospels, the letters of Paul, and other epistles. During this time, the apostles played a crucial role in teaching, guiding, and organizing the early church. Their writings and teachings formed the foundation of Christian doctrine. After the death of the apostles, the early church continued to grow and develop. By the time of Constantine, who ruled from 306 to 337 AD (early 4th century), the New Testament canon was largely recognized, though the formalization of the canon continued into the 4th century.
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Here are the periods or years when the first five patriarchates were established:
1. **Rome**: The Bishopric of Rome is traditionally considered to have been established by St. Peter in the 1st century AD, around 33-64 AD. Located in central Italy, Rome is the capital city of Italy and lies on the Tiber River
2. **Constantinople**: Elevated to a patriarchate in 381 AD during the First Council of Constantinople. Known today as Istanbul, it is located in northwestern Turkey, straddling the Bosphorus Strait between Europe and Asia
3. **Alexandria**: Established in the 1st century AD, traditionally attributed to St. Mark around 42-62 AD. Situated in northern Egypt, Alexandria is a major port city on the Mediterranean Sea, at the western edge of the Nile River delta.
4. **Antioch**: Also established in the 1st century AD, traditionally associated with St. Peter before he moved to Rome, around 34-37 AD. Present-day Antakya, located in south-central Turkey, near the mouth of the Orontes River.
5. **Jerusalem**: Recognized as a patriarchate at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, although its Christian community dates back to the time of Jesus. Located in the Middle East, Jerusalem is a city in Israel, situated on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea.
In the early medieval period, Orthodox missionaries spread Christianity towards the north, to the Bulgarians, Serbs, Russians and others. Meanwhile, a gradual process of estrangement took place between the four Eastern Patriarchates and the Latin Church of Rome, culminating with the Great Schism in the 11th century, in which Orthodoxy and the Latin Church (later called the Roman Catholic Church) separated from each other.
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The Roman Catholic Church; the Orthodox Church; the Oriental Orthodox communion; and the Assyrian Church of the East
Here's a timeline of when these major Christian traditions were founded:
1. **Roman Catholic Church**:
- **1st century AD**: Traditionally considered to have been founded by Jesus Christ and his apostles, particularly St. Peter, who is regarded as the first Pope³.
2. **Orthodox Church**:
- **1054 AD**: The Great Schism formally separated the Eastern Orthodox Church from the Roman Catholic Church⁹. However, the roots of the Orthodox Church trace back to the early Christian communities established by the apostles.
3. **Oriental Orthodox Communion**:
- **451 AD**: The Oriental Orthodox Churches split from the rest of Christianity after the Council of Chalcedon due to differences in Christological doctrine⁵⁶.
4. **Assyrian Church of the East**:
- **410 AD**: The Church of the East organized itself as the national church of the Sasanian Empire through the Council of Seleucia-Ctesiphon¹⁸. It declared its independence from the Roman Empire's state church in 424 AD¹⁸.
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The five patriarchates (and the Apostles claimed as founders by each patriarchate) were as follows:
Rome (founded by Sts. Peter and Paul), currently in Italy. This was the only Pentarch in the Western Roman Empire, and is now better known as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
Constantinople (St. Andrew), currently Istanbul in Turkey
Alexandria (St. Mark), currently in Egypt
Antioch (St. Peter), currently in Syria
Jerusalem (St. James), currently in Israel
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The key theological differences between the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox communion, and the Assyrian Church of the East are rooted in their historical developments, doctrinal interpretations, and ecclesiastical structures. Here are some of the main distinctions:
### Roman Catholic Church
1. **Papal Authority**: The Pope is considered the supreme authority over the entire Church, with the ability to make infallible statements on matters of faith and morals.
2. **Filioque Clause**: The Nicene Creed includes the phrase "and the Son" (Filioque) to describe the Holy Spirit's procession, which is a point of contention with the Orthodox Church.
3. **Sacraments**: Recognizes seven sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony).
4. **Original Sin**: Emphasizes the doctrine of original sin and the necessity of baptism for its remission.
### Orthodox Church
1. **Conciliarity**: Emphasizes the collective authority of the Ecumenical Councils rather than a single leader like the Pope.
2. **Holy Spirit**: Rejects the Filioque clause, maintaining that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone.
3. **Sacraments**: Also recognizes seven sacraments, but with different theological emphases and liturgical practices.
4. **Theosis**: Focuses on the process of deification (theosis), where humans become partakers of the divine nature.
### Oriental Orthodox Communion
1. **Christology**: Rejects the Council of Chalcedon's definition of the dual nature of Christ (fully divine and fully human), adhering instead to Miaphysitism, which emphasizes one united nature of Christ.
2. **Authority**: Each church within the communion is autocephalous (self-governing), with no single leader like the Pope.
3. **Sacraments**: Recognizes the same seven sacraments but with unique liturgical traditions and theological interpretations.
### Assyrian Church of the East
1. **Christology**: Adheres to a form of Dyophysitism, which emphasizes the distinctiveness of Christ's divine and human natures, often associated with Nestorianism.
2. **Authority**: Governed by the Catholicos-Patriarch, but with a more decentralized structure compared to the Roman Catholic Church.
3. **Sacraments**: Recognizes the same seven sacraments, with particular emphasis on the Eucharist and the Liturgy of Addai and Mari.
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Here's a summary of the Bibles used by each of the major Christian traditions:
### Roman Catholic Church
- **Bible**: The Roman Catholic Church primarily uses the **Latin Vulgate**, translated by St. Jerome in the 4th century¹⁶. For English-speaking Catholics, approved translations include the **New American Bible**, **Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition**, and the **Douay-Rheims Bible**¹⁴¹⁵.
### Orthodox Church
- **Bible**: The Orthodox Church uses the **Septuagint** for the Old Testament and the **New Testament** in its original Greek form¹². The **Orthodox Study Bible** is a popular English translation that includes the Septuagint and the New Testament.
### Oriental Orthodox Communion
- **Bible**: The Oriental Orthodox Churches also use the **Septuagint** for the Old Testament and the **Peshitta** for the New Testament⁴⁵. The Peshitta is a Syriac translation of the Bible.
### Assyrian Church of the East
- **Bible**: The Assyrian Church of the East uses the **Peshitta**, which is a Syriac version of the Bible¹¹¹³. This includes both the Old and New Testaments.
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The original church or community of the East before the Great Schism comprised:
the Greek churches founded by Saint Paul
the Antiochian and Asia Minor churches founded by Saint Peter
the Coptic (or Egyptian) churches founded by Saint Mark (including, at the time, the Ethiopians of Abyssinia)
the Syriac churches in Upper Mesopotamia
the Georgian church, traditionally founded by Saint Andrew and Saint Nino
the Armenian church, traditionally founded by Saint Jude and Saint Bartholomew
the church of Jerusalem, founded by Saint James, as well as the churches of Samaria and Judea, together comprising "the Holy Land".
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The original churches related to Christ, often referred to as the early Christian communities, were established by the apostles and their immediate followers. Here are some of the key ones:
### **1. Jerusalem Church**
- **Founded by**: The apostles, particularly Peter and James.
- **Significance**: Considered the mother church of all Christianity, it was the first Christian community established after the resurrection of Jesus.
### **2. Antioch Church**
- **Founded by**: Barnabas and Paul.
- **Significance**: Known for being the place where followers of Jesus were first called "Christians" (Acts 11:26). It became a major center for early Christian missionary activity.
### **3. Church of Rome**
- **Founded by**: Peter and Paul are traditionally credited with founding the church in Rome.
- **Significance**: Became the central church of the Western Christian world and the seat of the Pope.
### **4. Church of Alexandria**
- **Founded by**: Mark the Evangelist.
- **Significance**: A major center of early Christian theology and scholarship, particularly known for the Catechetical School of Alexandria.
### **5. Church of Constantinople**
- **Founded by**: Andrew the Apostle is traditionally credited with founding the church in Byzantium, which later became Constantinople.
- **Significance**: Became the leading church of the Eastern Orthodox world after the establishment of Constantinople as the capital of the Roman Empire.
### **6. Church of Ephesus**
- **Founded by**: Paul the Apostle.
- **Significance**: One of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation. It was a major center for early Christianity in Asia Minor.
### **7. Church of Corinth**
- **Founded by**: Paul the Apostle.
- **Significance**: Known for Paul's extensive correspondence with the community, which forms part of the New Testament (1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians).
### **8. Church of Thessalonica**
- **Founded by**: Paul the Apostle.
- **Significance**: Another important early Christian community, also addressed in Paul's letters (1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians).
### **9. Church of Philippi**
- **Founded by**: Paul the Apostle.
- **Significance**: The first Christian community established in Europe, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.
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Here are some of the early Christian communities and their approximate dates of founding:
### **1. Jerusalem Church**
- **Founded**: Around 30-33 AD
- **Significance**: The first Christian community, established shortly after the resurrection of Jesus.
### **2. Antioch Church**
- **Founded**: Around 34-35 AD
- **Significance**: Known for being the place where followers of Jesus were first called "Christians" (Acts 11:26).
### **3. Church of Rome**
- **Founded**: Around 40-50 AD
- **Significance**: Became the central church of the Western Christian world and the seat of the Pope.
### **4. Church of Alexandria**
- **Founded**: Around 42-43 AD
- **Significance**: A major center of early Christian theology and scholarship.
### **5. Church of Ephesus**
- **Founded**: Around 52 AD
- **Significance**: One of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
### **6. Church of Corinth**
- **Founded**: Around 50-51 AD
- **Significance**: Known for Paul's extensive correspondence with the community, which forms part of the New Testament.
### **7. Church of Thessalonica**
- **Founded**: Around 50-51 AD
- **Significance**: Another important early Christian community, also addressed in Paul's letters.
### **8. Church of Philippi**
- **Founded**: Around 49-50 AD
- **Significance**: The first Christian community established in Europe.
### **9. Church of Constantinople**
- **Founded**: Around 330 AD
- **Significance**: Became the leading church of the Eastern Orthodox world after the establishment of Constantinople as the capital of the Roman Empire.
These communities played crucial roles in the spread of Christianity and the development of early Christian doctrine and practice
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