1. Chapter 3: The Nature of the Church

2. Chapter 3: The Church, Lesson 1: Models of the Church

3. Images
There are different ways of understanding the Church.
The Bible gives us many different examples.

4. Mystical Body of Christ
Parable of the Sheep and the Goats – Jesus indicates that when we treat others well or badly, we are treating him that way
When Saul/Paul was persecuting the Church before his conversion, Jesus said, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
All the members of the Church are part of the Church like the parts of a body are part of that body – we are part of Christ’s body
Mystical = spiritual – the Church is both a spiritual reality and a supernatural one, being both human and divine

5. Different Images, Different ways of understanding (1)
Mustard Seed - Mk 4:30-32 Sheepfold – Jn 10:1-10 Vineyard – Mt 21:33-43 Building – 1 Cor 3:9; Eph 2:19, 22 Bride – Rev 21:9; 19;7; 22:17; Eph 5:23-33 Flock – Is 40:11; Ex 34:11 Field – 1 Cor. 3:9

6. Different Images, Different ways of understanding (2)
Kingdom – Jn 14:2; Mt 3:2; 5:1-12 Sower and Seed –Lk 8:5-15 Leaven in Bread – Mt 13:33 Treasure –Mt 6:21; 13:44 Pearl –Mt 13:46 Net – Mt 13:47 Mystical Body – 1 Cor 12:12-31

7. Chapter 3: The Church, Lesson 2: One, Holy

8. Marks of the Church
The Church can be identified by four signs, or marks: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.
Found in the Nicene Creed, these marks distinguish the Catholic Church from other churches, showing the Catholic Church to be the one, true Church established by Christ.
Christ causes the Church to have these qualities.

9. ONE
The first of the marks of the Church is, “One.” It points to the different types of unity within the Church.
The Church is one in her belief, worship, and government.

10. 1) Belief/Doctrine
There is unity of belief. The Church teaches the same doctrines everywhere and always in matters of faith and morals. 
This unity is manifested through the Creeds of the Church, e.g. Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed
WE HAVE THE SAME BELIEFS

11. 2) Worship & Liturgy
The Church is one through her unity of worship and liturgy. There is one sacrifice, the Mass, by which all members are united. The Church is united also in receiving the Eucharist and other Sacraments. There is an absolute unity of essentials. 
There is rich variety in other ways, e.g. language, vestments, disciplinary rules, specific liturgical forms etc.

12. 3) Government
There is unity of government in the Church. All members submit themselves to one divine authority. We are united to our bishop, and he in turn is united to the Pope, who is Christ’s head vicar.

13. Holy
The second of the marks of the Church is, “Holy” It points to the different ways in which the Church is holy and set apart by God.
The Church is holy in her origin, purpose, sacraments, and in her members who open themselves to grace.

14. 1) Origin
The Church is holy because her Founder, Jesus Christ, is holy and is the source of all holiness. 

15. 2) Purpose
The Church is holy also in her purpose, which is the sanctification and salvation of all her members. 

16. 3) Sacraments
She also has the means at her disposal to make her members holy. Her sacraments are also holy because they lead us to holiness. 

17. 4) her members who open themselves to grace.
Finally, the Church is holy in those of her members who open themselves to grace, God's life, which is given by the Holy Spirit.

18. Chapter 3: The Church, Lesson 3: Catholic, Apostolic

19. Catholic
The Church is called catholic because she 1) possesses the fullness of Christ's truth and revelation, and 2) also because she is for all men at all times and in all places.
She is also 3) found throughout the world.

20. 1) Fullness of Truth
The Church possesses the fullness of Christ's truth and revelation

21. 2) Universal Access
She is open to all men at all times in all places.
The Church is not limited to any race, sex, profession, nationality, etc. Anyone can join.

22. 4) Universal Location
She is also found throughout the world.

23. Apostolic
The Church is Apostolic in her origin, succession, and deposit of Faith.

24. 1) Origin
This means the Church originated with the Apostles, upon whom Christ built his Church. 

25. 2) Succession
Apostolicity also refers to the fact that the Church is still ruled by the legitimate successors to Peter and the Apostles, namely, the Pope and the bishops. 

26. 3) Deposit of Faith
The Church is also apostolic in the sense that she professes the same doctrine taught by the Apostles, the deposit of Faith given to the Church by Christ.

27. Chapter 3: The Church, Lesson 4: Why a Church?

28. Why did Jesus establish the Church?
Jesus wanted to continue his work after his Ascension.
Christ merited sufficient graces to save all men
He then entrusted to Peter and the Apostles the power and the means necessary for carrying out the work of salvation.

29. At the Last Supper…
The Apostles were given the power to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.

30. After the Resurrection…
The Apostles were given the power to forgive sins.

31. On the Day of the Ascension…
The Apostles were directed to baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

32. What else? The Church was also given the power to govern and teach.
This power can be found in Christ’s words about “binding” and “loosing.”
What does this mean?
It refers to the Church’s authority to formally declare what is allowed or forbidden in the realm of faith and morals.

33. Final Authority
The Church is Christ’s final authority and judge for determining what is necessary for salvation and sanctification.

34. Protection from False Teaching
The Church is entrusted with the mission of protecting us from false teaching/doctrinal error.