The Church as the Sacrament of
Salvation
Chapter 4
Part 1
Theology ll –Mr. Perrotti
The Church: The Sacrament of
Salvation
• The Second Vatican Council’s constitution Lumen
Gentium (Light for all Nations) offers a number
of images to describe the Church, but the Church
as “The People of God” surpassed all others
• Lumen Gentium rightly calls the Church “the
universal sacrament of salvation” since Christ,
who “is continually active in the world,” leads all
people to the Church so that He may “join them
more closely to Himself.”
The Church: The Sacrament of
Salvation
• That the Catholic Church is an institution here
on earth that leads us to Christ,
• Our salvation since the Catholic Church was
started by Christ; therefore, she cannot err;
therefore, she leads Christ's people to
salvation through her sacraments
• All who are saved, therefore, receive the
necessary grace somehow through the visible
Church founded by Christ
Terms we will discuss in the Chapter
plus vocab at end of unit
• Apostolic Succession – Lineage of the Catholic
bishops pope through the ages by which each
holds office in a direct link to the 12 apostles
• Bishop - a clergyman having spiritual and
administrative authority
• Canon - Definitive list of the books of the Bible –
The Law of the Church
• Cardinal - (Roman Catholic Church) one of a
group of more than 200 prominent bishops in the
Sacred College who advise the Pope and elect
new Popes
Terms we will discuss in the Chapter
• Cathedral - Home church of the bishop
• Clergy - A body of officials who perform religious
services, such as priests, ministers or rabbis
• Collegiality - The "sacred order" of teaching
authority in the Catholic Church.
• Conclave - Gathering of cardinals to elect a pope.
• Deposit of Faith - Revelation of Christ given to
apostles
More Terms
• Diocese - Territory and churches under a bishops
authority
• Roman Curia – The administrative and governing
part of the Church.
• Ecumenical Council - A worldwide, official
assembly of the bishops under the direction of
the pope.
• Episcopacy - the office of bishop in the catholic
church; from the greek episkopos, from which
also is derived the word "bishop"
More Terms
• Infallibility - the quality of never making an
error
• Magisterium - the official teaching authority
of the church
• Sacred tradition
– The living transmission of the Church's gospel
message found in the Church's teaching, life, and
worship. It is faithfully preserved, handed on, and
interpreted by the Church's Magisterium.
The Mystery of the Church
• Encyclical – Official letter from the Pope
• LUMEN GENTIUM – Pope Paul VI – Describes the
Mystery of the Church as Christ’s Light for all
Nations.
• Vatican II observes that the official explanation
given to the bishops in 1964 read:
“The word ‘mystery’ in this context does not indicate simply that a thing
is unknowable or hidden. Rather, as many authorities recognize today, it
points to a transcendent, divine reality that has to do with salvation and
that is in some sensible way revealed and manifested. The term,
therefore, which is found in the Bible, is very suitable as a designation
for the Church.”
A Visible and Invisible Society
• The visible church is the church as we
imperfectly see it.
• The various congregations of the universal
church that regularly meet together in a
particular place at a set time for things such as
teaching, fellowship, and worship are
commonly called the "local church" or the
"visible church."
Church is Visible
• The local church is visible in that the
community sees people who belong to the
Lord Jesus gathering as the church for regular
meetings, often called church services.
Outsiders also see those in the visible church
living the life of Jesus as they disperse into the
community.
The Invisible Church
• The invisible church is the church as God perfectly
sees it
• The invisible church is the community of all
Christians throughout history who have been or
will be loved and saved by Jesus Christ, including
the believing people of the Old Testament.
• In this sense, "invisible church" refers to every
person of any age, race, and culture whose sins
are forgiven through the death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ.
Visible vs. Invisible
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Visible Church
Membership: saved and lost
Only currently living people
Many local churches
Differing denominations
Part of the body of Christ
Differing types of
government
Ministering of ordinances
(or sacraments)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Invisible Church
Membership: saved only
Both dead and living in
Christ
Only one universal church
No single denomination
The entire body of Christ
Christ is the only head
Ordinances fulfilled
The Church as the Sacrament of
Communion
• Christ is the Head of the Mystical Body of the
Church.
• Through his Paschal Mystery Christ made us
all free from sin.
• The Liturgy each Sunday reenacts His Paschal
Mystery and as Catholics we celebrate in His
Holy Communion!
• “Do this in Memory of Me”
The Church as the Sacrament of
Communion
• Christ calls us each day to his table, as he called
the 12 on the “Holy Thursday”
• We are a Communion of Faith Followers who join
him each day in the Eucharist!
• THIS IS MY BODY! THIS IS MY BLOOD!
• Through the power of Transubstantiation the
Bread and Wine are changed into His Body and
Blood.
• WE share in His Communion Physically, Spiritually
and as ONE!
Communion
• In observing Communion we are
remembering Christ and all that He has done
for us in his life, death and resurrection:
– And when he had given thanks, he broke it and
said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in
remembrance of me." 1 Corinthians 11:24 (NIV)
Communion
• When observing Communion we take time to
examine ourselves:
– A man ought to examine himself before he eats of
the bread and drinks of the cup. 1 Corinthians
11:28
Communion (Christian), the relationship between
Christians as individuals and their Church in Christ!
COMMUNION as COMMUNITY
• Christ never asked us to do this alone
• He gave the Apostles all the tools to succeed!
• He gave us the Great Commandments and
Commission to live by.
• He gave us the Seven Sacraments to keep us
focused on his Divine Love
• His Word in the Holy Scriptures to guide us!
• And those members of the Apostolic Succesion to
contune to teach us!
Rather than asking for God’s help in
prayer!
Thank him for all He has done and will do for
us!
The Great Commission given to the Apostles was also a
challenge give to all who believe that Jesus Christ came to
save them from sin!
His Church is for all who want to follow, His Kingdom is
for all who want to enter!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbFJK6wRV4Q.com