1. The Nature of the Church
Chapter 3
The Nature of the Church

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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”

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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