[Greek] κατά (kata), [Latin] per, [Latin] per totam, [Latin] per universam: down, along, throughout, facing toward, among, opposite, when, about, in the name of, against, in accordance with; 478 scriptures
Just as Christ intended, His Church would be called catholic (universal).
Background information:
New Testament: This term is a preposition extensively used in scripture. For purposes of brevity, I will focus only on the meaning of being throughout. Scripture mentions a Church throughout ==> a Catholic Church!
Scripture:
Acts 9:31: “The Church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. It was being built up and [the people] walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the Holy Spirit it grew in numbers.” (Jesus’ Church is becoming a universal (catholic) Church. Through the help of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ Church continues to grow, in spite of its fallible and sinful members.)
[Greek] ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia): church
[Greek] κατά (kath) ὅλος (holos): ==> kath-holos (throughout all) ==> catholic!
Lk.8:1: “Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.” (Luke presents Jesus as a traveling preacher traveling throughout every city and village.)
Acts 8:1: “On that day, there broke out a severe persecution of the church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” (The Hellenist Christians perhaps experienced greater persecution than the Hebrew Christians who more understanding of the Mosaic law. The apostles, leaders of the Christian Church, remained in Jerusalem.)
Conclusion:
Per, total, totality, universal, universality, whole
Update: Luke offers additional evidence [Acts 9:31] that a catholic (universal) Church existed. This is the Catholic Church that Jesus started!
The Hellenistic Christians throughout the world experienced persecution from Jews who believed that they strayed from their Jewish customs.
The Hellenistic Christians throughout the world experienced persecution from pagans who opposed them for introducing Christianity into their world.
“I would not believe in the gospel, if the authority of the Catholic Church did not bid me to do so.” St. Augustine