As the twelve Apostles to whom this was spoken lived but a short time on earth, what does this show? It shows that though the first Apostles died, the office which they held was to continue "alway, even unto the end of the world." In what way was the office of Apostle to be continued? By the first Apostles appointing successors and ordaining them with prayer and the laying on of hands. § 6. The Church Founded. When was the Church, as foretold and described and prepared by Christ, actually founded? On the day of Pentecost. Where was our Lord on that day? He had ascended into Heaven ten days before. By whose instrumentality then did our Lord found His Church? By His Apostles. By Whose direct power did He give it its inward life? By the power of the Holy Ghost according to His promise (Acts i. 8; ii. 4). What illustration have we in the Old Testament of this creation of the Church as the Body of Christ? In the creation of the body of the first Adam. God first "formed man" and then "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Gen. ii. 7). § 7. Four Marks of the Holy Catholic Church. What is told us about the condition of the laity or people? It is said that they continued steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in (the) breaking of (the) bread, and in (the) prayers (Acts ii. 42). (The word "the" is in the original.) What may we call these four things in which the members of the Church "continued"? We may call them the four marks by which baptized Christians in all ages may know whether they are living in that one true Church which Christ's Apostles founded. What is meant by continuing in the Apostles' Doctrine? It means that the people believed and held fast those things which the Apostles taught them concerning Christ and His Church. Were these things yet written for them in the New Testament? No; the first books of the New Testament were not written until some years later. In what form then did they have the Apostles' Doctrine or teaching? They had it probably in a "form of sound words" or creed, telling about our Lord's Incarnation, Birth, Life, Death, Burial, Resurrection, and Ascension, together with the sending of the Holy Ghost and the setting up of the Church. (See the sermons of St. Peter and St. Paul (Acts ii. and xiii.); also St. Paul's account of the Gospel" in 1 Cor. xv. 1-9, and 2 Tim. ii. 8). In what form has this earliest Doctrine of the Apostles come down to us? 66 The Apostles' Creed. For what purpose then were the Four Gospels written later? That the people might "know the certainty,” and have a fuller knowledge, of the things in which they had been already "instructed" (Luke i. 1-5). What is meant by continuing in the Apostles' Fellowship? It means that they did not split up into many independent bodies, but continued in that one Church over which the Apostles were the rulers and chief pastors under Christ. Is the Apostles' Fellowship a mark of the true Church now? Yes; the first Apostles consecrated others to take their place and to continue the line of Apostolic Succession "unto the end of the world" (Matt. xxviii. 20). What do we call these Apostles now? Bishops. What is meant by "the Breaking of the Bread”? The Holy Eucharist or Communion (1 Cor. x. 16). What is meant by continuing in "the Breaking of Bread"? It means that they constantly joined with the Apostles in that one act of public worship ordained by Christ. What is meant by "the Prayers" ? It means those particular forms of prayer appointed by the Apostles for the daily or weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist, and for the other services of the Church. Might not "the Prayers" mean extemporaneous prayer? No; because then it would have read "continued in prayer." Can you give any other reason? Yes; the original Greek speaks of them as "the Prayers, "that is, the particular known prayers. What did "the Prayers" at this time probably consist of? The whole Psalter (which all Christians at this time had used from childhood), and other hymns from the Old Testament (such as Ex. xv. 1-19; 1 Sam. ii. 1-11; Is. xii.; xxvi. 1-20; xxxviii. 10-20; Jonah ii. 2-10); the four great Gospel hymns (afterwards recorded by St. Luke, i. 4656; 68-80; ii. 14; 29-33); new prayers composed by the Apostles [as in Acts iv. 24; a general or common thanksgiving in which they lifted up their voices with one accord]; above all, the Lord's Prayer and certain acts of devotion found in all Communion Offices throughout the world, such as the Sursum corda ("Lift up your hearts"), the Angelic Hymn ("Holy, Holy, Holy"), and the repetition of our Lord's words in the prayer of Consecration in the Eucharist; and in the administration of Holy Baptism. Has the Catholic Church always used these acts of devotion in her public worship? Yes; everywhere throughout the world they have been common to her services. What then are the four great marks whereby any baptized Christian may know that he is a member of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ? 1st. That he continues to hold the Apostles' Creed; 2d. That he is obedient to the Apostles' government; 3d. That he receives the Holy Communion from the hands of the Apostolic Ministry; and 4th. That he joins devoutly in that liturgic form of worship which has been the common worship of the Church from the beginning. § 8. The Apostles Founded only One Church. Do we find any evidence of the Apostles having founded different denominations of Christians? No; Christ's Apostles founded only One Church as their Lord had commanded them. Do we read anywhere in the New Testament of the early Christians meeting together and choosing and making ministers and forming churches for themselves? No; they plainly regarded such a thing as impossible. Why did they consider it impossible? Because, though the Church was a society of men, its outward form" could only be made by one man, Jesus Christ; and being a creation of God, it could only receive its "inward spiritual" life from God the Holy Ghost. 66 What then is meant in the New Testament by the Churches (Acts ix. 31; 1 Cor. xi. 16; xvi. 1; Rev. i. 4)? " "The Churches are particular congregations or local branches of the one "Church. 99 Did these "Churches" adopt different names? No; they were simply known as "the Church" in this or that land or place, as "the Church at Antioch," "the Church in Sardis," or "in Philadelphia," etc. (Acts xiii. 1; Rev. iii. 1, 7). Was any one of these Churches, like that in Rome, for instance, the Catholic Church? No; all were parts or branches of the Catholic Body" which includes all the parts. Is it true that the Church is founded upon the New Testa ment? No; the Church was founded on and by the Lord Jesus Christ, before a word of the New Testament was written; His ministers preached, baptized, confirmed, and celebrated the Holy Eucharist for nearly seventy years before the New Testament was completed. What then is the relation of the Church to the Scriptures of the New Testament? The Scriptures are founded upon the Church, instead of the Church being founded on the Script ures. How does St. Paul declare this relation? He speaks of "the Church " as "the pillar and ground (the prop and foundation) of the truth" (1 Tim. iii. 14). What does this mean? It means that the Church is the "witness and Have men any right to make new Scriptures? Have they any right or power to make new churches? What then must we do if we would serve God truly? the world." Third 66 Sunday after Trinity. THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH SPREADING AND PORTION OF CHURCH CATECHISM. From the beginning to "people of God." |