Foundation of the Church

Jesus and the Founding of the Church

Jesus of Nazareth was born in Bethlehem in Judea around the year 4 B.C. Their lives were very
ordinary, consisting of work, observance of the Jewish Law, finding joy in the company of one another
and of their friends. His father was a carpenter, and he was most likely trained in the trade of his father,
learning to work with woods and build with his hands. At the age of 12, Jesus got lost as they were
travelling to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. After three days, The Feast of Passover:
his parents discovered Him in the temple which he called “Father’s The Season of Our Leaving
house.” Bondage… On Our Way To The
Promised Land
Jesus’ mission: To proclaim the kingdom of God or reign of God
What is reign of God?
- Gospel or good news
This is all about “kaginhawaan
- Year of grace ng buhay” or “kaayuhan sang
- The time is fulfilled pangabuhi.”
- The day of Yahweh
Concretized and defined in everything
- God’s will that Jesus said and did.
- Fullness of life
The Kingdom of God
Both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament the term “kingdom” (malkut and basileia) is
understood as dynamic in nature and prefers primarily to the rule or reign of a king. It is seldom used in
a static sense to refer to a territory.
Reign of God in the Old Testament
a. Possession of land d. Covenant relationship with Yahweh
b. Victory over enemies e. The coming of the Messiah
c. Life beyond death
This was portrayed in the exodus event when the Israelites were freed from bondage and became a
people with identity and a land of their own.
Reign of God in the New Testament
People’s experience of wellbeing in all its forms
a. The blind receive their sight e. The dead are raised
b. The lame walk f. The poor have the good news preached to them
c. The lepers are cleansed
d. The deaf hear
From Christ to the Church: The church was already taking shape from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
– It all began with Jesus!
Foundation of the Church: The entire life, teaching, mission and person of Jesus is the foundation of the
Church
Six Key Moments in the Life of Jesus
1. Jesus’ Kingdom Message (Mk 1:15): Jesus’ mission was focused on the reign of God
Baptism
-overcoming temptation
-started to proclaim that the Kingdom of God was at hand
-the rule of the Father who is rich in mercy and love
Called people to change their ways if they wanted God to rule their lives. He used parables in His
teaching of God’s Kingdom. Jesus’ deeds proved the truth of his preaching. The blind, the lame,
the lepers were made whole. His healing miracles revealed a God of love and compassion
Parable
A short story based on a familiar life experience used to teach a spiritual lesson. It
resembles the fable and the allegory. Jesus used the parable many times in his public ministry.
"Why do you teach them in parables?" his disciples asked him. "Because," he replied, "the
mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are revealed to you, but they are not revealed to them"
(Matthew 13:10-11). It was a means of teaching his doctrine especially to those who accepted
him as Messiah. (Etym. Greek παραβολή (parabolē)_, comparison, parable; literally, a throwing
beside, juxtaposition.)
2. Call of the twelve (Mk 3:13-19)
12 – symbolizes the 12 tribes of Israel, a number meant total or universal, their number suggested
that the good news of salvation proclaimed by Jesus was for all and was meant to gather all people
into Christ’s embrace. During the time of Jesus they formed the APOSTOLIC COLLEGE.
They became the eye-and-ear witnesses of Jesus’ words and deeds. They were to be the nucleus,
the seed from wherein the Church would grow.
He named them “Apostles” means, “One to be sent”
To be with him – to be his constant companion
To be sent out – to proclaim the message, authority

3. Promise to Peter (Mt 16:16-20)

change of name – means, special mission and new responsibility
“Petros” means rock, a solid foundation in which the Church would be built.
Special role among the apostles
Receive special power and authority – “Power of the Keys”
What is the Church?
Keys of the Kingdom – given by Christ to St. Peter, symbol of the supreme authority of Peter and
of his successors, the Popes.
The Twelve Apostles were also given the power to bind and loose when united with Peter, their
head.

4. Last Supper (Lk 22:14-20)

3 key words:
a. Covenant – Jesus establishing
new covenant.
b. Memorial – “Do this in
remembrance of me”
- something happened in
the past and make
present
- when we celebrate the
Eucharist, we re-present,
- we again make it present,
it becomes a reality HERE
and NOW.
c. Community – Jesus intends to
have a community, a worshipping
community.

5. Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ

He offers himself as a “ransom” because of his blood we become God’s people. Everything is
accomplished in the death of Jesus.

6. Sending of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-47)

Pentecost – birthday of the Church, with the sending of the Holy Spirit, the Apostolic Church was
born-as sign and instrument of salvation, the Church is the principal agent of evangelization. She
continues to bring the work of Christ to completion.
Pentecost: Birth of the Church
Pentecost = coined from the Greek word ‘pentecoste’ = (“fiftieth”)
to suit some particular events that occurred on that day in the history of the Israelites.
It is a festival observed on the seventh Sunday (50th week) after Easter when the Israelites
celebrate their ancient Jewish feast of Shabuoth. In the early church it was a time for administration of
the sacrament of baptism, the festival is called White Sunday in reference to the white robes traditionally
worn by the newly baptized. It was a time many believers look forward to and consecrate themselves to
the service of the Lord.
Out pouring of the Holy Spirit by Jesus on His Apostles: transformed this celebration from a Jewish
festive event to a universal Christian event that has shaped Christianity in recent years.
Feast of Pentecost is a Christian adaptation of the fiftieth day feast celebrating Moses’ reception
of the Law on Mt. Sinai.
Moses ascended and returned Jesus ascended and sent the
The Pentecost Spirit with the gift the Law gift of the Holy Spirit
- signaled the beginning of the
Church’s mission.
- the prime mover of the mission of the Church to the whole world.
- source of the strength to endure Persecution.
- emboldened the Apostles to proclaim the message of salvation as they were fully converted
to faith in Christ.
With the sending of the Holy Spirit, the Apostolic Church was born.
- as both sign and instrument of salvation
- as the principal agent of evangelization
- to bring the work of Christ to completion
Church Teaching: Christ is the light of all nations, and it is by proclaiming his gospel to every creature
that the light of Christ which shines out visibly from the Church may be brought to all
men and women. (LG, 1)
The Church is a community of men and women united in Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit,
press onwards the kingdom of the Father and are bearers of a message of salvation intended for all men
and women. (Gadium et Spes, 1)
Key Points to note about the Pentecost
1. That God gave the Ten Commandments through Mosses.
2. That God chose that day to fulfil His promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit to mankind.
3. That the Holy Spirit was given to equip the Christian with power to minister for the living Christ
and to make disciples of all nations for Him – the Great Commission.
4. That the Apostles and others who were waiting for this promise of the ‘Promise of the Father’
after receiving the Holy Spirit, began to speak in different tongues as to be able to minister to
the different tribes that will be attending the Pentecost festival in Jerusalem.
5. That the occurrence on the Pentecost was the beginning of Christianity because they (the
Apostles) were commissioned to spread the Good News.
6. That without that Holy Spirit from God, no one can please God and that was why Christ had
to instruct His disciples to wait patiently and prayerfully in one accord for the out pouring of
the Spirit.
The power and presence of the Pentecostal Spirit: inaugurates the era of the Church’s mission
to the world which seeks to overcome every division of humankind.
The Pentecostal Spirit empowers us to be witnesses and bearers of the message of salvation in
Christ, the light of the world.
The Spirit is the force of the missionary work of the Church.
The Church,
o born of the love of God
o is the community of men and women
o united in Christ through the power of the Spirit
o called to a common mission of being bearers of salvation to one another and to the
world.
The Holy Spirit
“Holy Spirit” – proper name of the one whom we adore and glorify with the Father and the Son.
Frequently used in the Acts of the Apostles.
Other titles of the Holy Spirit:
 “Paraclete” – literally, he who is called to one’s side, “advocatus”
- commonly translated as “consoler”
- Jesus is the first consoler
 “The Spirit of Truth” – as called by the Lord
In the Epistles by St. Paul:
 The Spirit of the promise
 The Spirit of adoption
 The Spirit of Christ
 The Spirit of the Lord
 The Spirit of God
St. Peter: The Spirit of Glory
The Spirit has been be poured out. A new covenant has been established. A new people of
God, a new Israel, the Church will emerge.
What are the signs of this new people?
a. The tongues - many people of diverse cultures and nations understand the language of the
Resurrection of Christ. The curse of Babel is over : men can recuperate unity and communion
around this Word. It is the only way given to man to overcome his divisions. Babel is the confusion.
Pentecost is the unification.
b. The second sign is forgiveness. The prophecy of Joel announces the coming of the "day of the Lord".
A day of judgment and a day of salvation. The judgment is forgiveness. The sign of this forgiveness
is the Holy Spirit. In front of the cross, the apostles were in tilt. Big crisis. Peter denies. Others run
away. Judas hangs himself. The gift of the Holy Spirit brings them out of this fear and unbelief.
c. The third sign is wisdom. Peter received from the Holy Spirit the light to understand the deep meaning
of the death and resurrection of Christ : it is not a scandal but the marvelous revelation of the love of
God. A plan pre-established from all eternity in God's infinite wisdom, announced by the prophets
and David and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God.”
d. The fourth sign is evangelization. The gift of the Holy Spirit takes away from their hearts the fear of
death. They are not afraid any more to risk their lives, but with zeal and audacity they announce to
their brethren, the Jews, their mistake and they call them to faith in Jesus Christ. The gift of the Holy
Spirit has made them sharers in the victory over death. Now they can announce what they are living!
We are witnesses, they constantly attest! “Evangelization is the mission of the Church, not just of a
few, but my, your, our mission.” – Pope Francis

The Works of the Holy Spirit

- In the Scriptures, he inspires
- In the Tradition, to which the Church Fathers are always timely witnesses
- In the Church’s Magisterium, he assists
- In the sacramental liturgy, through its words and symbols, in which the Holy Spirit puts us into
communion with Christ
- In prayer, wherein he intercedes for us
- In the charisms and ministries by which the Church is built up
- In the signs of apostolic and missionary life
- In the witness of saints through whom he manifests his holiness and continues the work of
salvation.
Symbols of the Holy Spirit
a. Water – signifies the Holy Spirit’s action in baptism
b. Anointing – the symbolism of anointing with oil also signifies the Holy Spirit
c. Fire – symbolizes the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit’s actions
d. Cloud and light – occur in the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. In the OT, the cloud, now obscure, now
luminous, reveals the living and saving God, while veiling the transcendence of His glory
e. The seal – a symbol close to that of anointing
f. The hand – Jesus heals the sick and blesses little children by laying hands on them
g. The finger – “it is by the finger of God that Jesus cast out demons
h. The dove – at the end of flood, whose symbolism refers to baptism
Baptism of Christ – the Spirit comes down and remains in the purified hearts of the
baptized.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are, according to Catholic Tradition, heroic character traits that Jesus
Christ alone possesses in their plenitude but that he freely shares with the members of his mystical body (i.e.,
his Church).
These traits are infused into every Christian as a permanent endowment at his baptism, nurtured by the
practice of the seven virtues, and sealed in the sacrament of confirmation.
They are also known as the sanctifying gifts of the Spirit, because they serve the purpose of rendering
their recipients docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in their lives, helping them to grow in holiness and
making them fit for heaven.
The nature of the seven gifts has been debated by theologians since the mid-second century, but the
standard interpretation has been the one that St. Thomas Aquinas worked out in the thirteenth century in his
Summa Theologiae.

a. Wisdom: is both the knowledge of and judgment about “divine things” and the ability to judge and
direct human affairs according to divine truth (I/I.1.6; I/II.69.3; II/II.8.6; II/II.45.1–5).
b. Understanding: -is penetrating insight into the very heart of things, especially those higher truths that
are necessary for our eternal salvation—in effect, the ability to “see” God (I/I.12.5; I/II.69.2; II/II.8.1–
3).
c. Counsel: allows a man to be directed by God in matters necessary for his salvation (II/II.52.1).
d. Fortitude: denotes a firmness of mind in doing good and in avoiding evil, particularly when it is difficult
or dangerous to do so, and the confidence to overcome all obstacles, even deadly ones, by virtue of
the assurance of everlasting life (I/II.61.3; II/II.123.2; II/II.139.1).
e. Piety: is, principally, revering God with filial affection, paying worship and duty to God, paying due
duty to all men on account of their relationship to God, and honoring the saints and not contradicting
Scripture. The Latin word pietas denotes the reverence that we give to our father and to our country;
since God is the Father of all, the worship of God is also called piety (I/II.68.4; II/II.121.1).
f. Knowledge: is the ability to judge correctly about matters of faith and right action, so as to never
wander from the straight path of justice (II/II.9.3).
g. Fear of God: is, in this context, “filial” or chaste fear whereby we revere God and avoid separating
ourselves from him—as opposed to “servile” fear, whereby we fear punishment (I/II.67.4; II/II.19.9).

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

a. Charity (or Love)
• Charity encompasses our love for God and of our neighbors.
• not simply a passing feeling or infatuation.
• unconditional kind of love that expects nothing in return.
• puts the needs of others before our own
b. Joy
• not an emotional state. Rather, it is a lasting kind of happiness that can only be realized when we
put God at the center of our lives and if we believe that we will live our eternal life with Him.
c. Peace
• Peace is tranquility that can be experienced when we put our complete trust in God. When we
rely on God, we believe that he will provide for our needs and this relieves us from any anxious
thoughts about the future.
d. Patience
• Patience allows us to have compassion over people in spite of their flaws and weaknesses.
• comes from an understanding of our own imperfect state and how God has given us His
unconditional love and mercy so we should do the same for others.
e. Kindness
• Kindness or benignity is more than being kind to others.
• having a heart that is willing to do acts of compassion and give to others above and beyond what
we owe to them.
f. Goodness
• involves constant renouncing of evil in our day to day actions.
• we are constantly seeking the path of righteousness and strive to do God’s will even at the
expense of earthly success.
g. Longanimity
• Longanimity is being patient even when being provoked.
• While patience involves tolerance, longanimity means enduring quietly and remaining steadfast
in the midst of attacks of others.
h. 8. Mildness
• having a heart of forgiveness and grace.
 • being easily provoked and choosing a response of meekness and peace rather than one that
leads to revenge.
i. Faith
• Faith is at the core of our Christianity.
• means living according to the will of God and believing that He is the master of our life.
j. Modesty
• being humble.
• believing that any of our successes, blessings and talents are gifts from God.
• being content with what we have and not harbor any selfish ambitions.
k. Continence
• having temperance and self-control.
• does not mean denying ourselves from what we need or want, it is the ability to exercise
moderation in everything we do.
l. Chastity
• giving ourselves to Christ completely whether as a priest, religious or layman.
• indulging our physical desires within the right context such as being sexually pure before marriage
and by remaining faithful to one’s spouse.

Are they the same? (The gifts and fruits)

The fruits of the Holy Spirit are very different from the gifts. The gifts, in the words of the
Catechism of the Catholic Church, are “permanent dispositions which make man docile in
following the promptings of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 1830). They are received in the soul along with
sanctifying grace and remain in us as permanent dispositions to help us follow the promptings of
the Holy Spirit. We lose them only when we lose the state of grace through mortal sin. The fruits,
on the other hand, are the effects in us of living a life according to the spirit, according to the will
of God, a life of holiness. The Catechism describes them as “perfections that the Holy Spirit forms
in us as the first fruits of eternal glory” (CCC 1832).
The First Christian Community and the Spread of the Church
The Church is a community

Saint Places he reached to spread the gospel How he died

Saints Peter Vatican Hill crucified upside down

Asia Minor (Turkey)Scythia, East of Turkey
Saint Andrew Crucified to an x=shaped cross
(North of Iran), Greece and Macedonia
Saints James
Beheaded
the Greater
Saint John Ephesus Boiled in oil

Saint Simon PERSIA Crucified

Jude PERSIA Clubbed to death

James the
Jerusalem Smashed his brains out with a club
Less
Saint Philip Greece Crucified Upside-down
Saint
India Skinned Alive
Bartholomew
Saint Matthew Africa Martyred while Offering Mass

Saint Thomas Persia and India Stabbed to death

Saint Matthias Judaea, Cappadocia, and finally in the
One has it that he was crucified, another that
Northern most regions of Asia Minor near the
he was hacked to death.
Caspian Sea

The Church is a community. The first Christian community and the spread of the Church.
Acts 2:42-47 Primary characteristics:
Inspired by the Word of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Nature of the Early Church and its pattern
Members of the early Church were made one by;
1. constant listening to the preaching of the apostles
2. gathering together in fellowship
In the beginning, the Mother Church at Jerusalem still participated in the Jewish
worship in the temple.
“They went to the temple area together every day and prayed.”
First Christians lived with traditional Jewish form of piety but a new form of worship
was added:
 Celebration of the breaking of the bread (Eucharist)
 Christian hymns (Magnificat, Benedictus)
 The “Lord’s Prayer”, typical petition prayer in the synagogue
3. They expressed their faith in loving service for one another.
“those who believed shared all things in common.”
 to become a Christian was to become a member of the faith community,
sharing a common life
 they expressed their faith in loving service for one another
 They would sell their property and goods, dividing everything on the basis
of each one’s need
4. The celebration of the breaking of the bread
“while in their homes they broke bread and took their meals in common”
The common practice of the breaking of the bread was a celebration of love
centered in the sharing of the body and blood of Christ. It was a communion, a koinonia
which means fellowship in Christ, he who bound them in faith, hope and love.
It exists in order
 to evangelize
 to proclaim the good news
 to build up the church
 to serve the kingdom with gospel values and be united in Christ as head
 Church Teaching
The community of disciples does not exist only for itself or its members. It exists for the world.
It is sent on mission to proclaim the good news of Christ and to be an instrument of his grace.
Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) 105
The PCP vision of the Church as the community of disciples reflects the reality of the early
Church in its growth and spread among different people and nations.
In the spread of the Church from Jerusalem to Rome
We distinguish the following periods:
a. The Jewish-Christian period with Jerusalem as its center
b. The period of transition from Jewish to Gentile Christianity with Antioch as its center
c. The period of St. Paul’s missionary journeys to the Gentiles
The Christians were accused by the Jews as deserters and traitors.
The problem of the Early Community at Jerusalem
Jesus modeled it.
The Christians and the Jews parted ways because of conflict in terms of Barnabas learned it
Christian vision and practice of the Church. The conflict deepened and the line of and did it. Paul
separation was finally drawn in bringing consequences on both sides. It led to the experienced it, did it,
and taught it.
first outbreak of persecution in the stoning of Stephen. With the destruction of
Jerusalem in the year 70, the special pre-eminence of the early church in
Jerusalem was at end.

The Community of Antioch

First Gentile Christian community primarily consisted of non-Jews
How did a Christian community form at Antioch?
The early Christians fled from Jerusalem to Antioch in Syria because of the martyrdom of St.
Stephen the deacon, the first Christian martyr.
Saul of Tarsus, who was still a Jew and later became St. Paul the Christian, agreed with the killing
of St. Stephen. He even took Christian men and women from their houses and threw them in jail.
Christians in Jerusalem were now being persecuted, so it was not that safe to stay there. Many
fled to the countryside outside of Jerusalem and to Samaria in the middle of Israel. Other Christians fled
to Phoenicia (Lebanon), the island of Cyprus, and to Antioch in Syria.
Saul changed his life on the road to Damascus. Paul, encountered the Risen Christ who made
himself known to him, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5). This encounter with Jesus
turned Paul into a zealous missionary of the Gospel. After his conversion, he withdrew into Arabian desert
for three years in order to prepare himself for his apostolic calling.
E. Blake says the Jews in Antioch were using the Greek language in their church services. They
even used the Greek Bible. This suggests that the people in Antioch were not as conservative as those
in Jerusalem. This is one reason why Christianity spread to the world from Antioch rather than from
Jerusalem.
At Antioch the Christians were not only converting Jews, but Gentiles as well. The Church at
Jerusalem sent St. Barnabas to Antioch to investigate this conversion of the Gentiles. St. Barnabas was
so impressed by the Gentile conversions that he went to Tarsus in southeast Turkey to get St. Paul, who
was now a Christian, and brought him to Antioch. Within a year, about A.D. 40, the members of the
community at Antioch were first called “Christians.”
“So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought
him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people.
And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians." (Acts 11:25-26)
Now once Barnabas had brought Paul to Antioch a new phase in the advancement of
God’s Kingdom began (Acts 13:1-5).