Did Jesus intend to Institute a Church?

04-14-2019Why do we do that?

The first generation of Christians believed that Christ intended to establish a Church (Matthew 16:18) with leaders who would make decisions ratified by God (Matthew 18:18). They believed that Christ gave them ritual observances (Luke 22:19), rules of conduct (Matthew 6:21-22), and guidelines for marriage (Mark 10:11).

We know Jesus wanted a community to grow up because he gathered disciples around him. He called them his "little flock" and spoke to them of his kingdom. He taught them the message they were to proclaim and appointed twelve of them as apostles.

Jesus however, didn’t leave a clear-cut plan or blueprint of what to do in his Church and how to do it. He didn’t specify or dictate what to write down.

How did the early Christians know how to form a church?

Jesus left his sayings, teachings, and commands backed up by his personal example. He left his death and astonishing resurrection as vindication and approval of all he had done. Finally, he sent the Holy Spirit to remind them of all he said and did to guide their journey. He also left his followers the freedom to allow his living legacy to develop according to the demands and dictates of changing history. The early Christians used all these to help form the Church.

What about the Bible?

The New Testament writings were composed years after Christ’s death. The Gospel of Mark, the first gospel written, was written about AD 65. How do we account for the years between Christ’s life and the first writing? What did those Christians believe? How did they live? Were they waiting for God to dictate what they were to live and believe?

It was during this most crucial time, locked in silence, that the embryonic Church was stirring with new life, faith, and hope. This early Christian community gathered together for the breaking of the bread; they told and retold the stories of Jesus Christ, recalling things he said and did, attitudes he exhibited, and the works of power he performed.

Tradition is the Church’s lived practice. It is what the early Christian community instinctively lived before it put its belief in written form. That community’s lived beliefs, written down, formed the New Testament. It was only centuries later that the Church decided which writings represented Jesus’ authentic teaching and incorporated them into what we now call the Bible. In other words, the New Testament did not make the Church; it was instead the Church – that early community of Christian believers – who wrote the New Testament.

Are you saying the Bible isn’t important?

Along with other Christians, Catholics hold that the Bible is a primary source of revelation. We also maintain, however, that it is not the only source. Catholics believe the Church’s tradition also provides a legitimate, sacred resource for telling God’s truth.

Have you ever done something or had an idea that you felt you couldn’t have had without God’s help?

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