Now why does it matter? What is the difference between Orthodox/Catholic church and other protestant groups?
The Church Jesus Founded Is Apostolic and Visible
When Jesus said:
“I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)
He wasn’t talking about many competing churches with conflicting beliefs — He was talking about one Church, founded on the apostles, with authority, sacraments, and unity.
From the very first century, Christians didn’t start new “denominations.” They joined the one Church founded by Christ and guided by the apostles.
- Apostolic Succession — The Key Difference
Apostolic succession means that the bishops of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches today were ordained by bishops, who were ordained by bishops… going all the way back to the original apostles themselves.
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St. Peter became the first Bishop of Rome → all popes and bishops in communion with him stand in that line.
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St. James was the first Bishop of Jerusalem.
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St. Mark founded the Church of Alexandria.
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St. Andrew founded the Church of Byzantium (later Constantinople).
This unbroken chain is not just a “tradition” — it is how the authority of Christ is handed down. Jesus said to His apostles:
“He who hears you hears Me.” (Luke 10:16)
“As the Father sent Me, so I send you.” (John 20:21)
If the apostles were sent by Christ, and they laid hands on others to continue their ministry (Acts 1:20–26, 1 Tim 4:14, 2 Tim 2:2), then staying connected to that chain is how we stay connected to Christ’s original authority.
- Why It Matters
Authenticity of Sacraments – Baptism, Eucharist, and other sacraments have meaning and power because they are celebrated by those who carry Christ’s authority.
Unity in Doctrine – The Catholic and Orthodox Churches teach the same faith handed down from the apostles. Protestant groups often disagree with one another on baptism, Eucharist, salvation, etc., because they have no unified apostolic authority.
Continuity with the Early Church – If you look at any Christian writing from the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd century (like St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Irenaeus, or St. Justin Martyr), you will see liturgy, bishops, Eucharist, and apostolic succession — not the modern “Bible-only” churches that began in the 1500s or later.
Historical Reality – For 1,500 years there was only one Church — the undivided Catholic and Orthodox Church. All Protestant denominations appeared much later (from the 16th century onward), created by individuals, not founded by the apostles.
Now comes the main point brother:
The Protestant Movement Is New — The Apostolic Churches Are Ancient
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Orthodox and Catholic Churches: Founded in the 1st century by the apostles themselves.
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Lutheran Church: Founded by Martin Luther, 1517.
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Anglican Church: Founded by King Henry VIII, 1534.
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Baptist Churches: 17th century.
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Evangelical and Pentecostal movements: 19th–20th centuries.
That doesn’t mean Protestants are “bad” — they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. But it does mean they lack the historical and sacramental foundation that Christ intended His Church to have.
What the Early Christians Believed (Before Any Denominations Existed)
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They believed the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ (see St. Ignatius of Antioch, A.D. 107).
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They believed in bishops with apostolic authority (see Acts 1:20–26, Titus 1:5).
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They practiced baptism for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
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They called the Church “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic” (Nicene Creed, A.D. 325).
If you truly desire to follow Christ as the apostles taught Him , not just as people interpret Him today, then you must look for the Church that the apostles built. That Church is still alive, still celebrating the same sacraments, still teaching the same faith, and still united to the apostles through succession.
That Church is the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church — the two branches of the one ancient apostolic Church.
Now the decision is yours. You can explore Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical, Lutheran, and other traditions. My role was simply to share some important information to help guide you—what you do with it is up to you.