The Nature of the Church Chapter 3 The Nature of the Church

New Testament Images for the Church Mustard seed Church starts small Will grow large and prosper A flock of sheep Christ is the Good Shepherd Will be attacked by wolves Will wander away God tries to always bring us back Vineyard Christ is the vine We are the branches We only make fruit as long as we are connected to Him

Mystical Body of Christ Image for the Church Christ as the head Pope as Christ’s representative here on earth (visible head of Church) Different parts of the body have to work together, even though they have different roles When one suffers, the whole suffers and has to make up for the injury to the other We as a Church are supposed to act as Christ’s body here on earth, doing His will on His behalf Feet to spread the Gospel, hands to help the poor, etc. Basis for this image is found in Christ’s teaching that whatever we do for others, we do for Him St. Paul expands upon this analogy too Talks about how by persecuting the Church, he was actually persecuting Christ

Marks of the Church 4 Signs by which the true Church established by Christ can be identified One Holy Catholic Apostolic These are listed in the Nicene Creed “I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church”

One Unity of belief Unity of Worship and Liturgy Unity of Leadership Church teaches the same essential doctrines always and everywhere Apostles Creed and Nicene Creed Ten Commandments and Christ’s teachings Unity of Worship and Liturgy One Mass One Sacrifice of the Eucharist Unity of Leadership One Pope One Hierarchy

Holy The Church is holy in its origin Christ, the Church’s founder, is holy The Church is holy in its mission Goal is to bring members of the Church to holiness The Church has had many holy members Saints Doesn’t mean all members are holy, though

Catholic Catholic = Universal The Church was intended for the salvation of all More evident as the centuries have gone on The Church possesses the fullness of God’s revelation

Apostolic The Church originated with the Apostles Still ruled by legitimate successors to St. Peter and the Apostles Pope and the bishops Teaches the same doctrine as passed on by the Apostles

Why Establish a Church? Christ wanted to minister to men of all ages Not just those of His time here on earth Gave the Church the power of the Sacraments Deposit of Grace Gave the Church the power to teach Deposit of Faith Protects the Church from false teaching Infallible in certain cases