The Church vs. Ecclesial Communities
Oneness: God s Original Plan The Church of the apostles was definitely one: "There is one body and one spirit," St. Paul wrote, "just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all" (Eph. 4:4-5). St. Paul linked this unity to the Church's common Eucharistic bread: "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of one bread" (1 Cor. 10:17). Jesus had promised at the outset that "there would be one flock, one shepherd" (John 10:16). One Church that the gates of hell would not prevail against (Mt. 16:18) Critical to traditional orthodox theology and unity---e.g. Eucharist
Background By the time of Martin Luther's death there were already 280 denominations that had split off from his own original split with the Church All four marks of the Church (first affirmed in the Nicene Creed of 325 AD) were compromised to a greater or lesser extent by the reformers One (Eucharist, Unity) Holy (Sacraments, Scripture) Catholic (no longer universal or independent) Apostolic (Pope, Apostolic Succession, Priesthood)
What do you mean by Church? Words matter Protestant: People who have been "born again ---heavy on a one-time decision for Christ Scattered and divided throughout the world Denominationally organized Saved by faith alone The Church is invisible, not tied to any one authority Fellowship-oriented Catholic: People in a Sacramental relationship with Jesus United to Christ through the Grace of baptism United by, and sustained through, His Eucharist, which was given to the apostles at the last supper and passed down to us through the uninterrupted succession of bishops/priests The Church is inseparably visible and invisible just as Christ is inseparably human and divine Salvation through faith demonstrated in works Communion-oriented---incorporated A pilgrim Church, guided by Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, nourished by the Sacraments, striving toward wholeness but not yet whole
Visible and Invisible Catholics believe that the Church is inseparably visible and invisible because Jesus was inseparably human and divine. "He is the [visible] image of the invisible God (Col 1:15) The Church which Jesus Christ founded is His Body, and He is the Head (Eph 1:22-23. The Church of Jesus Christ subsists in the Catholic Church, but God s grace is present and at work in other Christian ecclesial communities...you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Mat 16:18) Jesus said..."as the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." (John 20:21-23) I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and foundation of truth. (1 Timothy 3:15) My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:20-21)
What are Ecclesial Communities Ecclesial from the Greek ekklesia --- church Explained in Vatican II documents, in particular Christian Communities that do not enjoy apostolic succession in the sacrament of Holy Orders Christian Communities which, specifically because of the absence of the sacramental priesthood, have not preserved the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic Mystery This is NOT to say that Protestants are not Christian
Questions for Reflection What are some of the misconceptions about the Catholic Church you ve heard? In Scripture, the Church is spoken of as a Temple, a Light-stand, a Family, a Body, and a Bride. Which do you relate the most to, and why? Does it surprise you to know that the Church existed for nearly 400 years before the Canon (the Bible) was formed? What does this say about the Church?