This isn't to say that every Protestant deliberately avoids history, but the reality is that Church history poses serious challenges to many Protestant claims. Let’s explore why.
🕰️ 1. Because History Shows the Catholic Church Was There First
From the 1st century until the 16th century, there was only one visible universal Church that held apostolic authority—the Catholic Church.
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The early Christians believed in the Eucharist as the Real Presence of Christ (St. Ignatius of Antioch, 107 A.D.)
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They believed in the authority of bishops, in apostolic succession, in honoring Mary and the saints, and in the power of tradition
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The Bible wasn’t even finalized until Catholic councils (Rome, Hippo, Carthage) determined the canon.
👉 This means no sola scriptura, no independent churches, and no denominations for over 1,500 years.
📖 2. Because Church History Supports Catholic Teaching
Many Protestant doctrines such as “Bible alone” (sola scriptura) and “faith alone” (sola fide) are absent from the first centuries of Christianity.
On the other hand, Catholic doctrines like:
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The Mass
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Confession to priests
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Intercession of saints
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Baptismal regeneration
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Infant baptism
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Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
...were taught and practiced by early Christians long before Martin Luther appeared on the scene.
📜 "Wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church." — St. Ignatius of Antioch (A.D. 110)
🔍 3. Because History Shows Protestantism Is New — Not Apostolic
The Reformation only began in 1517. Before that, the Church had already existed for 15 centuries. All the major Protestant denominations (Lutherans, Baptists, Pentecostals, Evangelicals) originated from men, not from Christ.
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Luther (Lutheranism)
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Calvin (Reformed churches)
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Zwingli (Anabaptists)
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Wesley (Methodists)
This is in direct contrast to the Catholic Church, which traces its authority directly from the Apostles, and ultimately from Christ Himself.
🧠 Many Protestants prefer to "reset history" at the time of the Reformation and ignore the uncomfortable facts before it.
🏛️ 4. Because the Early Church Was Catholic in Belief and Practice
Here are just a few quotes from the early Church Fathers (long before any denomination existed):
✝️ “Take note of those who hold heretical opinions… and keep away from them.”
— St. Ignatius of Antioch, 107 A.D.
✝️ “The bread we offer is no ordinary bread but the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ.”
— St. Justin Martyr, 155 A.D.
✝️ “It is necessary to obey those who are bishops in the Church.”
— St. Irenaeus of Lyons, 180 A.D.
These sound very Catholic, not Protestant.
⚔️ 5. Because History Exposes Doctrinal Disunity in Protestantism
While Protestants claim to follow the "Bible alone," there are now over 40,000+ denominations, all interpreting the Bible differently—many contradicting each other.
Yet the early Church emphasized unity of faith, doctrine, and leadership, not “every man for himself” interpretation.
🧩 Church history forces Protestants to confront the question:
If the Bible alone is enough, why such confusion?
✅ Conclusion: History Is the Catholic Church’s Greatest Ally
Far from being afraid of history, the Catholic Church embraces it. In fact, history is on the side of Catholicism:
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It was there from the beginning
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It preserved and canonized the Scriptures
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It passed down apostolic teaching
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It stood firm for centuries before modern doctrines emerged
Many Protestants, knowingly or unknowingly, avoid early Church history because it challenges their assumptions. But the invitation is open: read the early Church Fathers, study the first 3 centuries, and ask yourself — does this look Protestant or Catholic?
📢 The truth is not afraid of scrutiny.
But error often hides from history.
📝 Want to learn more?
Check out our other blog entries on the Trinity, the Sacraments, and Apostolic Succession—and discover the deep roots of your faith!
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