You seem to prove my point with your rebuttal Mungo. And let's be clear the word Catholic is simply a translation for a letter addressed to people of faith by Ignatius of Antioch. The Greek roots of the term
“Catholic” mean “according to ( kata -) the whole ( holos ),” or more colloquially, “universal.” But let's be clear, there is a colloquially of sorts among all institutions and not all is kosher. Concerning the Roman Church, like the Jew it too can be cut off by its own arrogance
At this time there was no institutionalized "Catholic Church" so-to-speak. Christianity was still illegal in Rome at this time. And NO! you can not claim a singular Roman Catholic church just because pagan Rome was in control of much of the middle east and Europe. Hence, the pagan Rome thingy that was persecuting Christians in Rome. It wasn't as bad from the pagans as it was from the circumcision party around Jerusalem and regions outward. Syria had a thriving Christian community way before Rome. Though Rome ruled many areas outside of the epicenter the closer you are to the flame the easier to get burned. Regions outside of Rome were more hospitable for Christian expression. I say only to a degree. That is simply the nature of the beast as conquerors. Before them it was the Greeks so-forth and so-on going back.
Paul is clear:
Romans 1:
7To all in Rome who are loved by God
and called to be saints: ( Clearly this cannot be applied to all who go by Catholic).
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Unashamed of the Gospel
8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world.
9God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you
10in my prayers at all times, asking that now at last by God’s will I may succeed in coming to you.
11For I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you,
12that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, how often I planned to come to you (but have been prevented from visiting until now), in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the
other Gentiles.
14I
am obligated both to Jews and Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
Seems an order of succession here. first to the Jew then to the Greek and then to the Roman.
16I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.
17For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “
The righteous will live by faith.”
Romans 11:
The Ingrafting of the Gentiles
11I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous.
12But if their trespass means riches for the world, and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!
13I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry
14in the hope that I may provoke my own people to jealousy and save some of them.
15For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
16If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
Roman Catholic Church is simply an ingrafted branch, it is not the original tree or root.
17Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root,
18do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.
What is that root? Clearly the scriptures. They are first to the Jew then all else.
19You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.”
20That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith.
Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. 21For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will certainly not spare you either.
Something to be said for being too big for your britches. The RCC has overstepped its bounds. Only a remnant will be saved from her just as among Jacob.
22Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness.
( Very few Catholics have continued in His kindness). Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
( For today a remnant of Jacob will be saved). 24For if you were cut from a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into one that is cultivated, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!