Jesus Founds His Church

 God prepared the Jewish people for His coming  Many did not recognize Christ  Jesus made a new chosen people of those who recognized Him  Christians  Followers of The Way Jesus called Himself the Way, the Truth, and the Life

 Jesus started His public ministry at age 30  Chose 12 Apostles  Typically people chose a rabbi to follow Jesus did things the other way around  12 was a symbolic number to the Jewish people Represents the 12 tribes of Israel Shows that the Church established by Christ is a continuation of the chosen people

 Need for a leader once Jesus ascended  Gave Simon a new name  Peter (Cephas) = rock  Shows a change in mission  “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church’  Other Apostles and early Christians recognized him as leader of Church  First Pope Pope means Father 266 Popes in unbroken lineage since  All Popes follow in Peter’s role To speak out in Christ’s position

 Jesus shared with them some of His authority  Give the Eucharist  Spread the Good News (Gospel) to all people  Make Rules to govern Christian life In order to preserve the type of life Christ had taught  Forgive sins  Witness to and send out the Holy Spirit  They were the first bishops  Part of the hierarchy  Structured order within the Church

 Sheepfold  Jesus the Shepherd  We are the sheep  Grapevine  Christ is the Vine  We are the branches  Kingdom  God is the King  We are His subjects  Pilgrim Church  Spiritual journey  Mystical Body of Christ  Christ is the head  We are the Body  Bride of Christ  Christ is the Bridegroom  The Church is His bride

 Communion of Saints (found in the Apostles’ Creed)  Three Parts  Church Militant (Church on Earth)  Church Suffering (Church in Purgatory)  Church Triumphant (Church in Heaven)

 4 Marks that are present in the true Church  One  Holy  Catholic  Apostolic

 One faith  One Baptism  One head on earth (the Pope)  One sacrifice (the Mass)

 Founded by Jesus, Who is holy  The mission of the Church is making people holy  Gives the holy sacraments

 Greek word meaning “Universal”  Meant for all people  Meant for all times  Gives the Church her name

 Founded by the Apostles  Still teaches what they taught  Full apostolic succession  Can be tied directly back to the Apostles  Only true of the Catholic faith