Divine Origin and Apostolic Foundation

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Questions and Answers

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?

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?

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?

With the assistance of the Holy Spirit Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the apostolic descent of the Church?

It reflects an unbroken line of succession from the Apostles. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of the Church indicates that she cannot change her essential aspects?

Immutability Signup and view all the answers

What does the Church's indefectibility imply about her existence?

The Church shall never perish. Signup and view all the answers

According to the teachings, what is the ultimate reason the Church will continue to survive?

The Church has divine origin and God's will. Signup and view all the answers

What concept explains that the Church will never fail in her mission?

Indefectibility Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'perennial' imply about the Church?

The Church will remain throughout history. Signup and view all the answers

Which biblical verse is cited to emphasize the Church's continuous existence?

Mt 16:18 Signup and view all the answers

What biblical analogy is used to describe Jesus' elevation and its link to the Church?

Moses lifting up the serpent. Signup and view all the answers

In which stage did God first establish a covenant with His chosen people?

During the time of the patriarchs. Signup and view all the answers

What metaphor is used to describe Abraham's role according to his appointment?

Father of many nations Signup and view all the answers

Which event marked the establishment of the New Covenant with the remnant of Israel?

God's promise after the exile Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the term 'Apostolic Succession'?

It describes the lineage of bishops from the apostles. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature did Jesus emphasize when preaching about the Kingdom of God?

The establishment of a visible institution. Signup and view all the answers

How were the twelve apostles related to the tribes of Israel?

They represented the twelve tribes. Signup and view all the answers

What authority did Jesus give to his apostles during their mission?

To celebrate the Eucharist and forgive sins. Signup and view all the answers

What role did Peter have in the founding of the Church?

He was designated as the ‘rock’ upon which the Church was built. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary task given to the apostles in their commission?

To preach the Gospel to all nations. Signup and view all the answers

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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Description

Explore the divine origin and unchanging nature of the Church founded by Christ. This quiz delves into the characteristics of immutability, indefectibility, and the historical reality of the Church. Understand how these principles affirm the Church's survival through adversity.