The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

""how60 THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS.and reformers ; for, shall they preach, unless1they be sent?" Sent, of course, by legitimate authority, and not directed by their own caprice.Hence, we find that those who succeeded the Apostles, were ordained and commissioned by them topreach, and that no others were permitted to exercisethis function. Thus we are told that Paul andBarnabas had ordained for them priests in everychurch." 2 And the Apostle says to Titus "For:this cause I left thee in Crete, .... that thoushouldst ordain priests in every city, as I also appointed3 thee." Even St. Paul himself, thoughmiraculously called and instructed by God, hadhands imposed on him,* lest others should be temptedby his example to preach without Apostolic warrant.To discover, therefore, the Church of Christ amongthe various conflicting claimants, we have to inquire,1st, which church teaches whole and entire those doctrines that were taught by the Apostles ; 2d, whatministerscan trace back, in an unbroken line, theirmissionary powers to the Apostles.The Catholic Church alone teaches doctrines whichare in all respects identical with those of the firstteachers of the Gospel. The following parallel linesexhibit some examples of the departure of the Protestant bodies from the primitive teachings of Christianity,and the faithful adhesion of the CatholieChurch to them.1Bom. x. 15.aActs xiv. 22.3 Tit. i. 5.4Acts xiii. 2. 3.