Proof from a 4th century Saint that the 'Holy Catholic Church' of the Apostles' Creed is the same Catholic Church as today.
From Catholic365
By Arnold Scott
Protestants often try to take the term "Holy Catholic Church" from the creed and interpret it as just a general statement about Christians who believe being united invisibly in the universal Church.
Is that accurate to the early Church?
Let's see what a Christian teacher, well regarded by East and West, had to say in 350 AD.
His name is St. Cyril of Jerusalem and this passage is from his Catachetical Lectures, Lecture 18, # 26. (Link below)
When he uses the term "Catholic Church" ... is that the same as what we call today the Catholic Church with the Pope and the bishops?
If not, was the Catholic Church founded after 350AD?
If you are traveling, he says, do not ask for just a church but rather the "Catholic Church." Do you imagine he meant Presbyterian, Anglican, or Lutheran would do just as well?
But since the word Ecclesia is applied to different things (as also it is written of the multitude in the theatre of the Ephesians, And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the Assembly Acts 19:14), and since one might properly and truly say that there is a Church of evil doers, I mean the meetings of the heretics, the Marcionists and Manichees, and the rest, for this cause the Faith has securely delivered to you now the Article, And in one Holy Catholic Church; that you may avoid their wretched meetings, and ever abide with the Holy Church Catholic in which you were regenerated. And if ever you are sojourning in cities, inquire not simply where the Lord's House is (for the other sects of the profane also attempt to call their own dens houses of the Lord), nor merely where the Church is, but where is the Catholic Church. For this is the peculiar name of this Holy Church, the mother of us all, which is the spouse of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God (for it is written, As Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it Ephesians 5:25, and all the rest,) and is a figure and copy of Jerusalem which is above, which is free, and the mother of us all Galatians 4:26; which before was barren, but now has many children
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