The Catholic Church

Topics

-Pre-history of the Church

-The Founding and Birth of the Church

-The Identity and Marks of the Church

-The History of the Church from Apostolic Age to the

Present
Pre-history of the Church

From the beginning, humanity receives a call from God to

have an intimate communion with Him.
How does God deals with humanity when they begin
to multiply?

-First, He chose Israel to become His people so that they

will become the means by which salvation will come to
everyone else in the world.
God has a special name for His people. He calls them in
Hebrew “Qahal” it means God’s elect.

The Greek translation of the word “Qahal” is “Ecclesia” and in

English the “Church”.
-Second, He chose one man to be their representative.

-Third, He made a pact, an agreement, a covenant with

them.

-Finally, this will come to fulfillment according to the

prophecies concerning our blessed Lord that He will come
from the people of God Israel as the Messiah.
The Founding and Birth of the Church

-The Church or the new people of God was founded by our

Lord Jesus after Peter made his confession concerning
about Him. (Matthew 16:16-18)

-The Church is the body of Christ was given a soul at

Pentecost by the descent of the Holy Spirit. This is the birth
of the Church.
The Identity and Marks of the Church

-Like Israel, the Church is the instrument by which God will

bring salvation to the world and the Kingdom of God.

-The Church is the body of Christ was given a soul at Pentecost by

the descent of the Holy Spirit to the apostles and disciples. This is
the birth of the Church. It will be governed by an invisible mind
and presided over by a visible head.
What are the marks of the Church?

-The Church is One.

-The Church is Holy.

-The Church is Catholic.

-The Church is Apostolic.

Questions

Who is the Church? Who are her members?

What is the role of the Church?

Is the Church necessary for the salvation of one’s soul

or an hindrance?