Catholic Church came about, and how the other major Christian churches (Orthodox, Protestant, etc.) emerged.




1. Origins: Jesus → Apostles → Early Christian Communities

  • Catholics believe that Jesus Christ founded the Church by calling the Apostles, giving them authority, and commissioning them to carry on His mission (e.g. Matthew 16:18–19). Encyclopedia Britannica+3Learn Religions+3Wikipedia+3

  • After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, and the apostles began preaching, baptizing, and organizing local Christian communities. Wikipedia+2CERC+2

  • These earliest Christian communities were often small house-churches led by elders (bishops), deacons and presbyters (priests). Over time, structures developed (bishops over cities, regional councils, etc.). Wikipedia+2CERC+2

  • Catholics teach an apostolic succession: the bishops today trace their authority through an unbroken line back to the Apostles. The Bishop of Rome (the Pope) is seen as the successor of Saint Peter, entrusted with a special role. Encyclopedia Britannica+3Wikipedia+3CERC+3

Over the first few centuries, the Church had to clarify doctrine (what Christians must believe), resist heresies (wrong teachings), and decide how to organize itself. Councils (like the Council of Nicaea in 325) were convened to settle disagreements.


2. The Catholic Church as “the Western Church,” and major splits

As Christianity grew, cultural, linguistic, political, and theological differences emerged between the West (Latin-speaking, centered on Rome) and the East (Greek-speaking, centered on Constantinople and other sees).

2.1 Eastern Orthodox split (Great Schism, 1054)

  • In 1054, a formal break occurred between the Western Church (which became what Catholics call the Roman Catholic Church) and the Eastern Churches (which became the Eastern Orthodox Churches). This is often called the Great Schism. Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3

  • Reasons included:

    • Disputes about the authority of the Pope (how much power the Bishop of Rome should have over all Christians). Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2

    • The “Filioque” controversy: whether the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone (as East held) or from Father and Son (as the West added). Wikipedia+1

    • Differences in liturgical practices, language, culture, and politics. Wikipedia+1

  • After 1054, the two sides developed separately, though they remain in dialogue today. Wikipedia+1

So, from the Catholic perspective, the Eastern Orthodox Churches are not heretical but in schism (separated) due to structure and authority disagreements.

2.2 Other splits: Oriental Orthodox, Church of the East

  • Oriental Orthodox Churches split earlier (5th–7th centuries) over Christological debates (how to understand Christ’s divinity and humanity) after the Council of Chalcedon (451). Wikipedia+2Encyclopedia Britannica+2

  • The Church of the East (sometimes called “Nestorian”) separated in the 5th century over theological disagreements (especially around Nestorianism) and developed in Persia and beyond. Wikipedia

So, within the first several centuries, different “branches” of Christianity emerged because of disagreements on doctrine (how we speak about God, Christ, Holy Spirit), authority, and cultural-linguistic differences.

3. Protestant Reformation and later churches

In the 16th century, in Western Europe, other major splits happened, leading to what we call Protestant churches.

  • Martin Luther in 1517 nailed his “95 Theses” criticizing abuses (like the sale of indulgences) and called for reform. This sparked debates. Wikipedia+2CatholicWorldMission+2

  • Others like John Calvin, Zwingli, and various reformers also challenged Catholic teachings on grace, faith, sacraments, authority (Scripture vs. Church), etc. Wikipedia+2CatholicWorldMission+2

  • In England, Henry VIII broke with Rome more for political reasons (his desire for an annulment). This gave birth to the Church of England (Anglican) and later Protestant developments. Wikipedia+1

  • Over time, many denominations arose: Lutheran, Reformed (Presbyterian), Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, etc. Each has its own emphases (e.g. Scripture as final authority, different views of sacraments, church governance).

From the Catholic point of view, the Protestant churches are not in full communion (i.e. not fully united) because of doctrinal and ecclesiological (church-structure) differences.

4. Summary “family tree” (very simplified)

  • Jesus → Apostles → Early Church
     → Over centuries: Catholic / Orthodox
      → 1054: West (Catholic) / East (Orthodox)
      → Before that: splits like Oriental Orthodox, Church of the East
     → 16th century onward: Protestant Reformation → many Protestant churches

5. The catechumenate: how Catholics prepare to enter

Because you asked from a catechumen’s view, it helps to know how the early Church received new believers.

6. Tips as you study more

  • Always go back to Scripture + Church Fathers (early Christian writers) to see how beliefs developed.

  • Use a good Catholic Church history source that understands Catholic perspectives.

  • Compare how Protestant and Orthodox sources narrate the same events — this helps you see differences clearly.

  • Be aware that some historical debates are complex and have multiple viewpoints; what matters is understanding the faith that Catholics hold (as summarized in the Catechism) and how other Christians differ.

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