The fast answer to this is a resounding yes! But we are not looking for a fast answer, are we? We want to see where in the bible our beliefs are. This is a difficult topic to cover because there are so many beliefs that need to be covered. I will be adding to this post as time goes on. Please look over it from time to time to see any additions you may have missed. Also, if you have any questions please post them so I may address them for you. For this discussion, we will turn to scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church for all the answers we need. You are going to say I don’t believe that a book written by the Catholic Church has the authority or ability to change my understanding of what the Church believes. I want to use the Catechism as a reference point showing what the Church actually teaches. The Catechism is simply a reference book for Catholicsbook for anyone, for that matter, to see in writing what the Church actually teaches of any given subject.
I feel the best place to start with the basic beliefs of The Catholic Church is to start with the creed. We use two different creeds the first being the Apostles’ Creed and the second being the Nicene Creed.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
AMEN.
Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, The Father, the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,
Of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God,
Eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God
Begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father. Through Him, all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven:
By the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born of the Virgin Mary and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and Son, He is adored and glorified.
He has spoken through the profits.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins,
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen
These are only the basic beliefs of the Catholic Church. For a full understanding of the beliefs of the Catholic Church, you need to look at and read the Catechism of the Catholic Church (www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM). This will cover each statement of the creed fully and give scripture references. I wanted to also answer the question of why two creeds. The Apostle's creed is from the early Church. The Catholic Enclyopida dates the traditional writing or first public statement of the creed to Pentecost. Giving each of the twelve one statement of belief from the creed. The Nicene creed comes from the council of Nicaea which took place in 325 ad. The Nicene Creed defines the beliefs in greater detail. This council also established many of the beliefs we hold true today. The Church was still in its infancy and still trying to understand all of what Jesus had taught. The council of Nicaea address many of the questions being asked and also put an end to the heresy of Arius from that time. This is a basic statement of beliefs now we can get to the meat of things.
I will look at scripture alone as opposed to scripture and tradition. Which one is supported in scripture? Where did scripture come from as we know it today come from?
