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Which came first: the Bible or the Church?
The short answer is the Church.

Jesus did not write a book—He founded a Church. He entrusted His teaching to the apostles, commanding them to preach, teach, and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19–20). For years, the Christian faith was lived, celebrated, and passed on before a single New Testament book was written.

Scripture itself points to this. In Acts 2:42, we see the early Church devoted to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of the bread, and the prayers—long before the New Testament was compiled.

The Bible did not fall from heaven fully formed. The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, discerned which writings were truly inspired and belonged to Scripture. By the 4th century, Church councils formally recognized the canon of the New Testament we use today.

This does not mean Catholics place the Church above the Bible. Rather, Scripture was born within the Church, preserved by the Church, and rightly interpreted within the living Tradition of the Church (CCC 80–83).

St Paul himself calls the Church “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). The same Holy Spirit who inspired the Scriptures continues to guide the Church in safeguarding and proclaiming God’s Word.

So, which came first—the Bible or the Church?
The Church came first, and from her life of faith came the Scriptures—both working together to lead us to Christ.

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