Ask AI: what is the Church that Jesus founded 2000 years ago?

The church that Jesus is traditionally believed to have founded is referred to as the Christian Church. According to Christian tradition, this church began with the teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ, which are detailed in the New Testament of the Bible. Specifically, in Matthew 16:18, Jesus is quoted as saying to Peter, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Over time, this early Christian movement developed into various branches or denominations. The earliest form of organized Christianity is often associated with what is now known as the Roman Catholic Church, which claims a direct line of succession from the apostles, particularly Peter, whom Catholic tradition holds as the first pope. However, as history progressed, Christianity grew in diversity and resulted in numerous branches, including Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which also traces its origins to the early teachings of Jesus, as well as Protestant denominations which emerged later from the Reformation. The concept of the "Church Jesus founded" can thus be understood in different ways depending on theological perspectives and historical interpretations within Christianity.