In a world full of churches, denominations, and conflicting teachings, how do we know which one is actually following what Jesus and the Apostles taught? Is it even possible to tell? The answer is yes—but it starts by looking backward, not just around.
Many modern Christian groups claim they’re simply “going back to the Bible.” They reject the traditions of the early Church, calling them man-made or heretical. But here’s the problem: the Bible didn’t drop from the sky. It came through the early Church—the very people some say got it all wrong.
So let’s take a serious look at what the early Church believed and why it still matters today.
1. The Early Church Was Closest to the Apostles
It’s easy to forget: the first Christians didn’t have the New Testament. They had the Old Testament Scriptures, oral teaching, the Eucharist, and leadership from the Apostles and their successors.
These early believers spoke the same languages, lived in the same culture, and were taught directly by the Apostles or their disciples. They didn’t have to “guess” what Jesus meant—they were there or just one step removed from those who were.
If the Church immediately after the Apostles misunderstood the Gospel, then Christianity was never stable to begin with. But that contradicts what Jesus promised:
“I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” — Matthew 16:18
The idea that truth was lost for over 1,500 years and rediscovered by Reformers is not only historically shaky—it suggests Jesus failed to protect His Church.
2. The Early Church Gave Us the Bible
Think about it: you wouldn’t even have a Bible if not for the early Catholic bishops, councils, and communities who preserved, copied, and canonized the books of Scripture.
The New Testament canon wasn’t officially recognized until the late 4th century. For centuries, it was the Tradition and teaching authority of the Church that helped believers know what was and wasn’t authentic Scripture.
So to say, “We go by the Bible, not the early Church,” is to bite the hand that fed you the Bible in the first place.
You can’t separate the Scripture from the Church that gave it to you.
3. Apostolic Tradition Isn’t a Dirty Word
Many modern Christians are taught that “tradition” is bad—something Jesus condemned. But that’s not the whole story.
Jesus rejected man-made traditions that contradicted God’s word. But Paul commanded believers to hold fast to the Apostolic traditions:
“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:15
That’s both oral and written teaching—not just Scripture.
The early Church didn’t rely on personal interpretation. They followed the living Tradition passed on by the Apostles through the bishops—just as Jesus intended.
4. The Early Church Believed Things Modern Denominations Reject
Want to test if your church lines up with the early Church? Look at what the first Christians actually believed. Here’s just a sample from the early second century:
- Real Presence in the Eucharist
- Baptismal regeneration
- Confession to a priest
- Apostolic succession and bishops with real authority
- Prayers for the dead
- Veneration of Mary as the New Eve
- Unity around the bishop and Eucharist as the center of worship
These aren’t Catholic inventions—they’re ancient Christian teachings. Church Fathers like St. Ignatius of Antioch (d. AD 107), Justin Martyr (d. AD 165), and St. Irenaeus (d. AD 202) all affirm these beliefs, and they lived long before Constantine or medieval Catholicism.
So if your church teaches the opposite, who really changed the message?
5. Interpretation Without History Leads to Confusion
One of the slogans of the Reformation was Sola Scriptura—Scripture alone. But Scripture alone leads to division, not clarity.
There are now tens of thousands of Protestant denominations, all claiming to follow “just the Bible,” yet coming to wildly different conclusions on salvation, baptism, communion, authority, and more.
Why? Because without Tradition and authoritative interpretation, everyone becomes their own pope.
The early Church, by contrast, had a united faith. Yes, they debated things—but they resolved disputes through councils, bishops, and the Tradition passed down from the Apostles. That’s how we got the doctrine of the Trinity, the canon of Scripture, and the understanding of Christ’s nature.
Without that unity, Christianity becomes a free-for-all.
6. If the Early Church Was Wrong, Then the Gates of Hell Prevailed
If the Church immediately after the Apostles fell into heresy, what does that say about Jesus’ promise to protect it?
“He who hears you hears Me, and he who rejects you rejects Me.” — Luke 10:16
“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:20
If Jesus entrusted His Gospel to the Apostles and their successors, then we can trust the Church they built. But if that Church got it wrong, then Christ’s words failed—or He left no way to reliably find truth.
That’s a bigger problem than people realize.
7. The Church Is a Visible Body, Not an Invisible Idea
Some say, “The true Church isn’t a visible organization—it’s just all believers everywhere who love Jesus.” But that’s not how the Bible describes it.
The early Church was structured—with bishops, priests, deacons, and sacraments. The Book of Acts shows them meeting, appointing leaders, correcting error, and maintaining unity. That pattern continued without break for centuries.
The Catholic Church, for all her flaws, is still standing—still teaching the same sacraments, the same Gospel, and the same Tradition. That’s not just survival. That’s divine preservation.
Final Thought: Truth Doesn’t Expire
Truth doesn’t evolve with culture. If the early Church held beliefs and practices that modern churches reject, that doesn’t mean the early Church got it wrong. It means we need to take a hard look at what we’re calling “biblical” today.
The Church Jesus founded is still here. It’s not perfect because people aren’t perfect. But it has preserved the deposit of faith, just as Paul commanded (1 Timothy 6:20), and just as Jesus promised it would.
The question isn’t whether the early Christians believed like us. The question is—do we believe like them?
Want to Go Deeper?
Check out the writings of these early Church Fathers:
- Ignatius of Antioch – Letters (c. AD 107)
- Justin Martyr – First Apology (c. AD 155)
- Irenaeus – Against Heresies (c. AD 180)
These aren’t Catholic propaganda—they’re ancient Christian voices. And they’re worth reading.