Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does apostolicity in the Church primarily signify?
What does apostolicity in the Church primarily signify?
- The variety of rituals practiced
- The unbroken succession from the Apostles (correct)
- The Church's hierarchical structure
- The Church's financial stability
Which of the following statements best describes the Church's missionary activity?
Which of the following statements best describes the Church's missionary activity?
- It focuses only on local communities.
- It has evolved significantly with each era.
- It remains consistent throughout all eras of human history. (correct)
- It was limited to the time of the Apostles.
In apostolic character, what is essential for the Church’s organization?
In apostolic character, what is essential for the Church’s organization?
- Implementing modern administrative practices
- Having a global network of church societies
- Maintaining a structure similar to that in the Acts of the Apostles (correct)
- Adopting political structures from various governments
How does the Church support its teachings?
How does the Church support its teachings?
Which statement is true regarding the apostolic descent of the Church?
Which statement is true regarding the apostolic descent of the Church?
Which characteristic of the Church indicates that she cannot change her essential aspects?
Which characteristic of the Church indicates that she cannot change her essential aspects?
What does the Church's indefectibility imply about her existence?
What does the Church's indefectibility imply about her existence?
According to the teachings, what is the ultimate reason the Church will continue to survive?
According to the teachings, what is the ultimate reason the Church will continue to survive?
What concept explains that the Church will never fail in her mission?
What concept explains that the Church will never fail in her mission?
What does the term 'perennial' imply about the Church?
What does the term 'perennial' imply about the Church?
Which biblical verse is cited to emphasize the Church's continuous existence?
Which biblical verse is cited to emphasize the Church's continuous existence?
What biblical analogy is used to describe Jesus' elevation and its link to the Church?
What biblical analogy is used to describe Jesus' elevation and its link to the Church?
In which stage did God first establish a covenant with His chosen people?
In which stage did God first establish a covenant with His chosen people?
What metaphor is used to describe Abraham's role according to his appointment?
What metaphor is used to describe Abraham's role according to his appointment?
Which event marked the establishment of the New Covenant with the remnant of Israel?
Which event marked the establishment of the New Covenant with the remnant of Israel?
What is the significance of the term 'Apostolic Succession'?
What is the significance of the term 'Apostolic Succession'?
Which feature did Jesus emphasize when preaching about the Kingdom of God?
Which feature did Jesus emphasize when preaching about the Kingdom of God?
How were the twelve apostles related to the tribes of Israel?
How were the twelve apostles related to the tribes of Israel?
What authority did Jesus give to his apostles during their mission?
What authority did Jesus give to his apostles during their mission?
What role did Peter have in the founding of the Church?
What role did Peter have in the founding of the Church?
What was the primary task given to the apostles in their commission?
What was the primary task given to the apostles in their commission?
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Study Notes
Divine Origin and Apostolic Foundation
- The Church's divine origin ensures its survival despite persecution, division, and moral failings within its leadership and members.
- The Church's divine origin is affirmed by the promise of Jesus in Matthew 16:18: "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Characteristics of Divine Origin
- Immutability: The Church's essential aspects cannot be changed, meaning its doctrines and their meanings remain constant.
- Indefectibility: Rooted in its divine origin with Jesus as head and the Holy Spirit as the source of its life, the Church will never perish, fail in its salvific mission, or undergo constitutional changes.
- Perennial: The Church, though vulnerable to persecution, cannot be stopped or destroyed, surviving history as Jesus promised.
The Church Founded by Christ is a Historical Reality
- The Church of Christ fulfills the promise, prefiguration, and preparation of the people of Israel. Examining the Church's origin is also exploring its historicity.
- God laid the foundation of the Church by choosing a people called His own, establishing a covenant with them in three stages.
- Patriarchs: God made an alliance with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which served as the seed of a deeper relationship between humanity and God.
- Moses: The chosen people recognized Yahweh as the one true God, their Lord and protector. God gave them the Ten Commandments to emphasize the messianic orientation of the covenant.
- New Covenant: The chosen people broke the first covenant, but God promised a new covenant with the "remnant of Israel" who remained faithful.
Which Church? Apostolic Succession
- Apostolic Succession is the unbroken lineage of bishops from the apostles to the present day, with all Catholic bishops part of this uninterrupted history.
The Church's Apostolic Origin
- The Church is a visible institution fulfilling Jesus' preaching of the Kingdom of God.
- Jesus emphasized building His Church upon the 12 apostles, representing the 12 tribes of Israel.
- Jesus entrusted the Kingdom to the apostles, choosing Peter as the foundational "rock" (Cephas).
- Jesus gave the apostles specific instructions for their mission: preaching (Matthew 13:52, Mark 4:34); binding and loosing (Matthew 16:19); celebrating the Eucharist (Luke 22:19); forgiving sins (John 20:23); and baptizing (Matthew 28:19). He sent them to all nations to preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15), handing over His mission to them.
Apostolic Marks of the Church
- True Church must be apostolic in mission, character, teachings, and descent.
- Apostolic in Mission: The Church carries out the mission of the apostles, fulfilling Jesus' command to preach the Gospel to all nations.
- Apostolic in Character: The Church's organization mirrors that of the early Church (Acts of the Apostles), with bishops, priests, and deacons.
- Apostolic in Teachings: The Church guards and proclaims the teachings and words taught by the apostles with the Holy Spirit's assistance.
- Apostolic in Descent: The Church is built on the foundation of the apostles, with Christ Himself as the capstone. The Catholic Church traces its lineage from the Apostles.
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