One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church
The Nicene Creed declares the Church to be One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. These are often called the four marks of the church.
Can a Protestant affirm these words from the Nicene Creed or does he/she redefine the words from their traditional meaning when using the words?
I don’t think I can have an answer which will satisfy all.
Scriptural Basis
Eph 4 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism
One body… The body of Christ…
Historical
Schism between East (Orthooix) and West (Catholic) 1054 A.D.
Claims – Orthodox
The Eastern Orthodox Church claims to be the One True Church.
Claims – Catholic
The Catholic Church says that others are “separated brethren”.
Center of Unity – the Pope
The truth is that an undivided oneness characterizing
the external hierarchical unity of the earthly Church is simply
unintelligible unless there be an indefectible center of unity that
safeguards the visible unity of the Church. http://www.hprweb.com/2012/01/confronting-the-claim-of-eastern-orthodoxy-to-be-the-true-church/
Branch Theory
Property of Visibility
Apostolic Succession
“…rule by Bishops, who are the legitimate successors of the Apostles”
The key question then comes down to this : Which communion of Bishops
(Catholic or Eastern Orthodox) constitutes that hierarchy of the Church,
founded by Christ to “make disciples of all nations” Matt. 28:19)? To
which hierarchy, claiming to represent the dogmatic continuation of the
apostolic college of bishops during the first ten centuries do the words
of Our Lord, apply? http://www.hprweb.com/2012/01/confronting-the-claim-of-eastern-orthodoxy-to-be-the-true-church/
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