The Early Church

I recently had an hour long conversation with a couple from the Jehovah's Witness'.  I have had a few conversations with them and as usual they want to quote from their New World Translation, which is a very flawed translation in an attempt to help hold up to some of their unusual claims.  Obviously the difference in translations makes it that much harder to agree on any point of contention.  When there are such fundamental differences in translations and interpretation of the bible to the point even the divinity of Jesus is being denied how can the there be common ground?  I am far from being an accomplished apologist able to make profound points by citing numerous bible verses and then rattling off different sources for their correct translation from Greek or Hebrew so I must find another way. 

How many people do you think change their faith based on how someone else interprets the bible?  Not many I would guess.  Most people who debate their faith are pretty entrenched in their beliefs.  I am not saying we should not provide biblical evidence for our faith, we definitely should when asked, I am just saying it is not us - it is the Holy Spirit that will guide someone to the truth if they are open to it. 

Truth, that is the key word, what is it and how do we know what it is.  Along with the Catholic Church there are thousands of Protestant Christian denominations and a few non-Christian groups such as the Jehovah's Witness and Mormon groups that claim to be based on the bible.   Each claims to have the truth based on how they read the bible.  I asked the Witness' about the importance of truth and how to know what is true.  Where did the bible come from?  From Jehovah was the answer.  Did it fall in book form from the sky?  No.  How do you know what should be in the bible - the bible does not tell you what books should be included.  Jesus told us he was building His church on Peter the Rock and Jesus founded only one church promising Satan would not overcome His church. He then sent His church out into the world to spread His truth - wouldn't you reasonably conclude He intended for His church to be "truthful" and would protect that truth?  The canon of the Catholic bible was accepted until Martin Luther broke away from the Church in the 16th century removing seven books which did not agree with his interpretation.  Since the Catholic church through the guidance of the Holy Spirit determined the canon of scripture it would be reasonable to think the Catholic Church would be the instrument to interpret the bible.  If Jesus did not intend for His church, the Catholic church to be this instrument on earth how did He intend for us to know the truth.  Of course he sends the Holy Spirit to guide us, but and this is the big one, we are imperfect.  If it were easy to interpret all of scripture we would not need the Church.  All of the different denominations claim they are following the teachings of Jesus Christ but hardly any of the non Catholic denominations teach the same things about salvation.  Some teach a profession of faith is all that is needed "accepting Jesus as Lord" some others you need baptism in water or it might be you need to speak in tongues to be saved. 

Catholics have believed for almost 2000 years our Lord provided us with the Church to be that teaching tool.  I do not know how I could claim the bible as true without the Catholic Church!  Why could not any other book be included as true such as some of the Gnostic writings which are popular now like the "Gospel of Thomas" or "The secret book of James".  Gnostic writings claim to have a "secret knowledge" you need to get to heaven.  The early Church determined the canon of scripture by examining writings and seeing if they held to what Jesus taught.  Looking at the early church then is essential in learning what Jesus taught followed then by His apostles. 

An excellent source of the writings of the early church are the three volumes of "The Faith of the Early Fathers" by William A Jurgens.  This is a collection of the writings of some of the earliest Christians which has survived.  Some of these writings are from Christians shortly after our Lord died from the likes of St. Clement in the year 80 or throughout early Christianity.  Some examples of writings of what the early church believed follow:

If you look at the early church it is evident that they did believe what we believe and why we believe.  The early Christians followed their Bishops (the bishops in unison with the pope ) as evidenced in this early writing from Ignatius in AD 110

" For Jesus Christ, our inseparable life, is the will of the Father, just as the bishops , who have been appointed throughout the world, are the will of Jesus Christ (emphasis mine).... It is fitting, therefore , that you should live in harmony with the will of the bishop - as, indeed you do". 

Also you can see examples of Irenaeus written somewhere around AD 180 where he defends the church against some of the Gnostic heresies.  Here he is commenting on the truthfulness of scripture and the apostolic succession of bishops.