CHURCH IN MODERN WORLD
Lec 1/ Pre-Mid 2nd Semester
ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH
CHURCH The Etymological Meaning
QAHAL
● Hebrew (OT)
● an assembly of the chosen people of God
● “these people were called by God to give
testimony to Him”
● it has a religious meaning.
EKKLESIA
● Greek word – (NT)
● “assembly”
Qahal and Ekklesia
● both means an assembly convoked by
God/people of God called together
The Origin of the word CHURCH
● implies that the unity in Church is rooted in
God who calls us to share in His Divine Life
CHURCH – (contemporary meaning)
● an assembly of God’s people:
● the community of Jesus’ Disciples
Meaning of the Church
2 important insights :
1. It is God Himself who calls the people
together in order to form them into one
Body
○ it is God’s free call to all to share His
Divine goodness & love in Christ
○ God draws us all together in Christ
through unifying gifts of Holy Spirit
2. The origin of communion that exists in the
Church communion is God’s Trinitarian
communion:
○ There is that personal communion
that binds the members of the
Church together with the Lord and
with one another.
God’s Trinitarian communion:
● the Son with the Father in the gift of the
Holy Spirit
CHURCH
● is a communion of believers drawn
together by God in Jesus Christ in the
power of the Holy Spirit.
NATURE OF THE CHURCH
1. The Church as a SACRAMENT
2. The Church is the sacrament of Christ
3. The Church is TRINITARIAN
The Church as a SACRAMENT
Sacrament
● a visible sign that gives grace
● a visible sign /instrument of our union w/
God and of the unity of mankind.
A sacrament of our salvation
● Christ Himself is a sacrament; a visible sign
of God’s love.
● He makes God present in our midst.
Emmanuel
● “God w/ us”
The Church is the sacrament of Christ
● The Church makes Christ present to us
today; signifies Christ’s redeeming love
○ Proclamation of the WORD of GOD
○ Administering the 7 sacraments
○ Service to all.
A sacrament of salvation-
● The Church communicates the salvation/
redemption brought by Christ’s death on
the cross.
The Church as a SACRAMENT
● We are called to be a sacrament/ a visible
sign of God’s Love by our life of faith, hope
and love.
The Church is TRINITARIAN
● God the Father prepares for the
establishment of the Church;
● Jesus established the Church;
● The Holy Spirit constantly renews and
guides the Church
CHALLENGE : (Composition writing)
“ I AM A SACRAMENT OF GOD’S LOVE”
CHURCH IN MODERN WORLD
Lec 1/ Pre-Mid 2nd Semester
BIRTH - Inauguration of the Church
● when people believe, profess and ● Pentecost Event marks the “birth” of the
respond to Christ’s teaching of the Church
kingdom of God ● This is when the Holy Spirit upon the
● the Church was founded under the Apostles and the Early Christians
inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit - Commissioning of the Twelve Apostles
Pentecost Event ● “Go therefore and be the disciples of all
● is the “birth of the Church” nations.
THE BIRTH AND GROWTH OF THE CHURCH ● Baptize them in the Name of the Father
1. CONTEXTUALIZATION: EXPERIENCE and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
2. CONCEPTUALIZATION: The Christian Message Teach them to fulfill all I have
commanded you. I am with you always
I. CONTEXTUALIZATION: EXPERIENCE until the end of time”
● Make a personal lifeline of life map of
yourself that highlights the
a. significant events
b. challenges which brought your
personal growth.
II. CONCEPTUALIZATION: The Christian Message
A. The Church in History (Not Church History)
● is not static or a passive evolution of
events and personalities
● but a process on how the Christian
community continues to live and re-live
the life of Christ amidst the challenges and
difficulties of their time.
B. The Challenges for Growth
1. Early Christian Community
- ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
Saul
● the Persecutor
● defender of the Pagan Faith & Tradition
Paul the Convert
● oppressor of Christians
● defender of Christian Faith & Tradition.
CHURCH IN MODERN WORLD
Lec 1/ Pre-Mid 2nd Semester