Separated Brethren Chapter 13

John 17:20-21 “I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me”

The Catholic Church: fullness of truth 4 marks of the Church: one, holy, catholic & apostolic Christ prays that all people may be united in Him The Catholic Church has the fullness of truth. Other Christians and religions may have parts and pieces of the truth, but they do not contain the full truth

Separated Brethren This is a term to refer to non-Catholic Christians They are united in some way to the Mystical Body because of their baptism Baptism: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” They are separated by their rejection of the authority of the Church and some of her doctrines (such as Mary)

Common beliefs with Separated Brethren We accept Christ as our Savior Our faith in the Trinity The Bible The life of grace The gifts of faith, hope, & charity

Orthodox Church We share the same faith, but are separated by their rejection of the legitimate authority of the Church, the Pope We share all the sacraments in common

Judaism The Old Testament prepared the Jews for the coming of the Messiah Isaiah 7:14 Micah 5:2 Isaiah 53:4-6 The roots of Christianity are found in Judaism Typology: a person or object in the Old Testament that foreshadows a person or object in the New Testament Examples: ?

Judaism (cont) The Jews did not (and still do not) recognize Jesus as the Messiah John 6:66 The Jews do not believe in the Trinity because they do not believe in Christ. They are not baptized and are still awaiting the coming of the Messiah

Islam The Islam religion developed in Arabia about 600 years after Christ It draws from both Judaism and Christianity. Muslims believe in one God They do not recognize Jesus as the Son of God, but rather as one of the prophets Muhammad was the last prophet, who received the final and full revelations These revelations are written in their holy book, the Kuran.

Polytheism & Animism Polytheism: the belief in many gods; common in ancient Greek and Roman religions Animism: belief that inanimate objects possess supernatural powers

Atheists & Agnostics Atheism: the denial of the existence of a personal God Agnostics: those who believe that there may be a God but that we can know nothing about him

Ecumenism Ecumenism is the promotion of the restoration of unity among all Christians We hope to unite all the people in the fullness of truth found in the Catholic Church This is our duty! We have a great gift in the Church and we should have a sense of urgency to share this with others

Salvation There is no salvation outside the Church: this means that the Catholic Church is necessary for salvation because Jesus is necessary to salvation We have the fullness of the means of salvation and access to Jesus with the Church’s teachings, moral life, sacraments, and the liturgy CCC 846

Baptism Baptism by water: the sacrament of Baptism Baptism by desire: the Baptism received by those who do not know about the need for baptism but who would want it if they did know about it Baptism by blood: non-Christians who are martyred for Christ

Doctrine Questions Q 85 & 85