CL 103 – CHURCH AND

SACRAMENTS
This course provides a study of the Hierarchy and Structure
of the Catholic Church – its History from Ancient,
Medieval and Contemporary Eras; the Philippine Church –
its Hierarchy and History; the Sacraments of the Catholic
Church – their Biblical Foundation and Importance to the
Catholic Faith and the Seven Sacraments – Baptism,
Confirmation Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the
Sick Matrimony and Holy Orders.
PENTECOST: BIRTH OF THE CHURCH
th
50 day after the Passover (Jewish Feast of
Weeks); also called the Harvest Festival
celebrated every year.
PENTECOST: BIRTH OF THE CHURCH
th
Christian adaptation of the 50 day feast
celebrating Moses’ reception of the law
“Decalogue” on Mt. Sinai; also called the Ten
Commandments. As Moses ascended and
returned with the gift of the Law
Jesus ascended and sent the gifts
of the Holy Spirit.
PENTECOST: BIRTH OF THE CHURCH
The gift of the Holy Spirit inaugurates the
Church’s saving mission.
The Holy Spirit is the vivifying power of God
in creation and through the ages; now fully
present as the Spirit of the Risen Christ in
the Church.
PENTECOST: BIRTH OF THE CHURCH
The Pentecost Spirit is the prime mover of
the Church’s mission to spread the Gospel to
the whole world. With the descent of the
Holy Spirit upon the apostles, they were
emboldened to proclaim the message of
salvation and fully converted to faith in
Christ.
PENTECOST: BIRTH OF THE CHURCH
Peter preached powerfully that many
accepted the faith; were baptized and
formed to be enthusiastic bearers of
salvation. The Pentecost Spirit is their
source of strength to endure
persecutions.
 MEANING OF THE CHURCH
Old Testament Definition:

“QAHAL” – “Assembly of the

Chosen People of God called together
as His Holy People”
 MEANING OF THE CHURCH
New Testament Definition:

“EKKLESIA” – “The first

Community of Christian Believers
recognized itself as heir to
that assembly.”
 MEANING OF THE CHURCH
Modern Definition:

“CHURCH” – The Community of

men and women, united in Christ and
guided by the HOLY SPIRIT under the
leadership of the Successor of Peter and
the Bishops
in Communion with Him
(GS 1 paraphrased).
 MEANING OF THE CHURCH
Modern Definition:
In Christian Usage
“CHURCH” designates the Liturgical
Assembly, but also the Local Community
or the whole Universal Community of
Believers. These three meanings are
inseparable.
 MEANING OF THE CHURCH

Modern Definition:
In Christian Usage
“CHURCH” is the People of GOD that calls and
gathers in the whole world. She exists in Local
Communities and is made real
as Liturgical, above all, a Eucharistic Assembly.
She draws her life from the WORD and the BODY
of Christ and so herself becomes Christ’s Body.
 ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH
GOD IS THE ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.

IT IS A FAITH-ASSEMBLY WHOSE ROOT

CAUSE IS GOD’S FREE CALL TO ALL TO
SHARE HIS DIVINE GOODNESS
AND LOVE IN CHRIST.
 BLESSED
TRINITY
▶ LUMEN GENTIUM SEES THE ORIGIN OF THE
CHURCH IN THE TRINITY.
▶ THE CHURCH DOES NOT COME FROM THE
PEOPLE.
▶ THE CHURCH IS NOT THE WORKING OF MAN.
▶ THE CHURCH IS ONLY A SIGN AND AN
INSTRUMENT OF THE SALVIFIC MOVEMENT OF
GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
 ORIGIN AND FULFILLMENT OF THE
CHURCH
▶ THECHURCH FINDS HER ORIGIN
AND FULFILLMENT IN THE
ETERNAL PLAN OF GOD.
▶ SHE WAS PREPARED IN THE OLD
COVENANT WITH THE ELECTION OF
ISRAEL, THE SIGN OF THE FUTURE
GATHERING
OF ALL THE NATIONS.
 ORIGIN AND FULFILLMENT OF THE
CHURCH
▶ FOUNDED BY THE WORDS AND ACTION OF
JESUS CHRIST, FULFILLED BY HIS
REDEEMING DEATH AND RESURRECTION,
THE CHURCH HAS BEEN MANIFESTED AS
THE MYSTERY OF SALVATION BY THE
OUTPOURING OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT AT PENTECOST.

▶ SHE WILL BE PERFECTED IN THE GLORY

OF HEAVEN AS THE ASSEMBLY OF ALL
THE REDEEMED OF THE EARTH.
LIFE OF CHRIST – THE BRIEF LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST
IS DESCRIBED TO BE OF HUMBLE ORIGIN: HIS BIRTH
IN A MANGER, A BLOODY DEATH ON THE CROSS
AND HIS RESURRECTION.
JESUS COMMISSIONED HIS FOLLOWERS (THE
CHURCH) TO CARRY ON THE PREACHING OF THE
GOOD NEWS TO THE JEWS AND ALL MEN OF ALL
AGES FOR ALL TIMES. THEY PROCLAIMED THE GOOD
NEWS BY PREACHING AND ADMINISTERING THE
SACRAMENTS. THE EUCHARIST UNITED THEM IN
THEIR FELLOWSHIP.
PURPOSE/REASON OF FORMING THE CHURCH –
JESUS HAD COME AS THE SAVIOUR OF ALL
MANKIND. BY HIS SUFFERING AND DEATH HE
IMPARTED GRACE FOR THE SALVATION OF
SOULS.
JESUS COULD NOT BE PHYSICALLY PRESENT IN
THE WORLD TILL THE END OF TIME; SO
DURING THOSE THREE YEARS OF PUBLIC LIFE
IT WAS ALREADY IN HIS MIND TO ESTABLISH A
SOCIETY TO CONTINUE HIS WORK TILL HIS 2ND
COMING; AND WITH THIS IDEA ENABLED HIM
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SACRAMENTS, A
NECESSARY MEANS TO RECEIVE GRACE,
NEEDED SOMEONE TO ADMINISTER THEM TO
THOSE WHO WOULD SEEK THEM. JESUS MADE
PROVISIONS FOR THIS IN THE INSTITUTION OF
THE CHURCH BY WHICH HE FIRST SELECTED
12 MEN FROM HIS DISCIPLES WHOM HE
CALLED APOSTLES.
 12 APOSTLES OF JESUS
1. SIMON PETER
2. ANDREW, THE 6. BARTHOLOMEW
BROTHER OF 7. MATTHEW
PETER 8. THOMAS
3. JAMES, THE SON 9. JAMES, THE SON OF
OF ZEBEDEE ALPHAEUS
4. JOHN, THE 10. THADDAEUS
BROTHER OF 11. SIMON, THE
JAMES ZEALOT
5. PHILIP 12. JUDAS ISCARIOT
 BUILDING THE
CHURCH
JESUS CHOSE SIMON, WHOM HE RENAMED PETER
“ROCK” AS HEAD. “I, FOR MY PART DECLARE UNTO
YOU YOU ARE THE ROCK, AND ON THIS ROCK, I
WILL BUILD MY CHURCH AND THE JAWS OF DEATH
SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT. I WILL GIVE YOU
THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
WHATEVER YOU DECLARE BOUND ON EARTH,
SHALL BE BOUND IN HEAVEN; AND WHATEVER YOU
DECLARE LOOSED ON EARTH SHALL
BE LOOSED IN HEAVEN” (Mt. 16:18-19).
 HISTORY OF THE
CHURCH
FOR PAST 20 CENTURIES, THE CHURCH CHANGED THE
WORLD GRADUALLY BUT TRAUMATICALLY. IT
ENCOUNTERED CHALLENGES, LIKE:
PERSECUTING ROMAN EMPERORS
MAVERICKS OF REFORMS
THE PROTESTANT LEADERS OF REVOLT
IMPACT OF ISLAM
ATHEISTIC LEADERS OF RUSSIA
NAZI HYPOCRISY OF HITLER
 MARKS OF THE EARLY
CHURCH
(ACTS 2:42)
▶ FAITHFULNESS TO THE TEACHING OF THE
APOSTLES (REGULAR BIBLE STUDY).
▶ FAITHFULNESS TO BROTHERHOOD (REGULAR
MEETINGS AND VISITS).
▶ FAITHFULNESS TO THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
(REGULAR CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST).
▶ FAITHFULNESS TO PRAYER (DAILY INDIVIDUAL
AND GROUP OR COMMON PRAYERS).
BEFORE: The church refers to the structure
Cathedral, Basilica, Church, Chapel
Ermita, Monastery or Convent
PHYSICAL STRUCTURE – SYMBOL OR
REPRESENTATION OF THE
CHURCH
BUILDING – EXTERNAL IMAGE OF
THE CHURCH
PEOPLE OF GOD – THE TRUE
MEANING OF THE CHURCH
NOW: THE CHURCH AS ASSEMBLY
OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD
 NATURE OF THE
CHURCH
▶ THEESSENCE OF THE CHURCH IS THE
PEOPLE WHOM GOD CALLS AND GATHERS
TOGETHER FROM EVERY PART OF THE
EARTH TO BE HIS OWN.

▶ THEYFORM THE ASSEMBLY OF THOSE WHO

THROUGH FAITH AND BAPTISM HAVE
BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD, MEMBERS OF
CHRIST
AND TEMPLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
 BIBLICAL IMAGES OF THE
CHURCH
1. KINGDOM OF GOD
2. PEOPLE OF GOD
3. BODY OF CHRIST
4. BRIDE OF CHRIST
5. TEMPLE OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT
6. FLOCK OF CHRIST
 1. CHURCH: KINGDOM OF GOD
1. THE GOOD NEWS PREACHED TO THE
POOR
2. THE GIFT OF GOD
3. THE SEED QUIETLY SOWN
4. THE OFFER OF PARDON TO SINNERS
5. THE BANQUET OF TABLE-FELLOWSHIP
& JOYFUL COMMUNION WITH THE
LORD & OUR FELLOW MEN AND
WOMEN
 Images of the Kingdom
▶A TREASURE HIDDEN IN A FIELD
▶ THE LEAVEN RAISING THE DOUGH
▶ THE TINY MUSTARD SEED GROWING
INTO A TALL TREE
▶AFISH NET CATCHING THE GOOD AND THE
BAD
▶ THE WHEAT AND THE WEEDS
2. CHURCH: THE PEOPLE OF
GOD
Characteristics
TITLE: A CHOSEN
RACE
A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
A HOLY NATION
(1 Peter 2:9)
2. CHURCH: THE PEOPLE OF GOD

Characteristics
CAUSE: A FAITH-ASSEMBLY
WHOSE ROOT CAUSE IS GOD’S
FREE CALL TO ALL TO SHARE
HIS DIVINE GOODNESS AND
LOVE IN CHRIST.
 2. CHURCH: THE PEOPLE OF GOD

Characteristics

MEMBERSHIP: BEING “BORN

ANEW,” A BIRTH OF WATER AND
THE SPIRIT,” – BY FAITH IN
CHRIST AND BAPTISM (John 3:3-5).
 2. CHURCH: THE PEOPLE OF
GOD
Characteristics
HEAD: THE “MESSIANIC PEOPLE” WITH ITS
HEAD JESUS CHRIST (MESSIAH, THE ANOINTED ONE)
WITH THE SAME ANOINTING OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT FLOWS FROM THE HEAD INTO THE
BODY (Mt.16:16)
 2. CHURCH: THE PEOPLE OF
GOD
Characteristics
HALLMARK: THE DIGNITY AND
FREEDOM OF THE SONS AND
DAUGHTERS OF GOD IN WHOSE
HEARTS THE HOLY SPIRIT
DWELLS AS IN A TEMPLE.
 2. CHURCH: THE PEOPLE OF
GOD
Characteristics

LAW – CHRIST’S NEW

COMMANDMENT OF LOVE (Jn.13:34)
AND THE NEW LAW OF THE SPIRIT
(Rom.8:2)
2. CHURCH: THE PEOPLE OF
GOD
Characteristics
MISSION to be the:
SALT OF THE EARTH
LIGHT OF THE WORLD
LEAVEN OF SOCIETY AND
SOUL OF THE COMMUNITY
2. CHURCH: THE PEOPLE OF
GOD
Characteristics
DESTINY: THE FINAL
DESTINY IS THE
KINGDOM OF GOD
BROUGHT TO PERFECTION
AT THE END OF TIME.
 3. CHURCH: BODY OF
CHRIST
“THE BODY IS ONE AND HAS MANY
MEMBERS MANY THOUGH THEY ARE, ARE
ONE BODY
SO IT IS WITH CHRIST. IT WAS IN ONE
SPIRIT THAT ALL OF US, WHETHER JEW OR
GREEK
SLAVE OR FREE, WERE BAPTIZED INTO ONE
BODY. ALL OF US HAVE BEEN GIVEN
TO DRINK OF THE ONE SPIRIT”
BODY OF
CHRIST
 CHRIST’S BODY CAN REFER
TO:
1. THE PHYSICAL BODY OF THE HISTORICAL JESUS
ASSUMED AT THE INCARNATION
2. THE EUCHARISTIC BODY, MAKING
SACRAMENTALLY PRESENT TO US THE PERSON
OF THE RISEN CHRIST IN HIS SAVING SACRIFICE
3. THE MYSTICAL BODY, THE CHURCH, THE
FAITHFUL UNITED TO CHRIST AS THEIR HEAD,
UNITED AND VIVIFIED BY HIS SPIRIT.
“LET YOUR SPIRIT COME UPON THESE GIFTS
TO MAKE THEM HOLY SO THAT THEY MAY
BECOME FOR US THE BODY AND BLOOD OF
OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST.”
 4. CHURCH: BRIDE OF
CHRIST
THE CHURCH IS CALLED THE
“BRIDE OF CHRIST” BECAUSE THE
LORD CALLED HIMSELF HER
“SPOUSE” (Mark 2:19).
 THE LORD HAS LOVED THE
CHURCH AND HAS JOINED HER TO
HIMSELF IN AN EVERLASTING
COVENANT. HE HAS GIVEN
HIMSELF UP FOR HER IN ORDER TO
PURIFY HER WITH HIS BLOOD AND
“SANCTIFY HER” (Eph.5:26).
 WHILE THE “BODY” EXPRESSES
THE UNITY OF THE “HEAD” WITH
THE MEMBERS, THE “BRIDE”
EMPHASIZES THE DISTINCTION OF
THE TWO IN THEIR PERSONAL
RELATIONSHIP.
 5. CHURCH: TEMPLE OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT
“YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD, AND
THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLS IN YOU”
(1Cor. 3:16).

“AS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE

CHURCH, SO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT ITS
SOUL” (Vatican II).
 6. CHURCH: THE FLOCK OF
CHRIST
WE ARE HIS PEOPLE, THE SHEEP OF HIS FLOCK.

“MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE AND I KNOW THEM;

THEY FOLLOW ME AND I GIVE THEM ETERNAL
LIFE… WHAT MY FATHER HAS GIVEN ME, IS
GREATER THAN ALL THINGS ELSE. TO SNATCH
(STEAL) IT OUT OF THE FATHER’S HAND, NO ONE
IS ABLE. I AND
THE FATHER ARE ONE” (Jn 10:27-30).
FOUR MARKS OF THE
CHURCH
 CHURCH: ONE
JESUS SAID TO PETER: YOU ARE PETER
AND ON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD
MY CHURCH (Matthew 16:18).

JESUS SAID: MY CHURCH, NOT MY

CHURCHES
TO STRESS THAT THE CHURCH IS ONLY
ONE.
THE CHURCH IS ONE FOR SHE
HAS AS HER SOURCE AND
EXEMPLAR THE UNITY OF THE
TRINITY OF PERSONS IN ONE
GOD.
 JESUS CHRIST AS HER FOUNDER AND
HEAD RE-ESTABLISHED THE UNITY OF
ALL PEOPLE IN ONE BODY. AS HER SOUL,
THE HOLY SPIRIT UNITES ALL THE
FAITHFUL IN COMMUNION WITH
CHRIST.
THE CHURCH HAS BUT ONE FAITH,
ONE SACRAMENTAL LIFE, ONE
APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION, ONE
COMMON HOPE
ONE AND THE SAME CHARITY.
 CHURCH: HOLY
THE CHURCH IS HOLY INSOFAR AS THE
MOST HOLY GOD IS HER AUTHOR.
CHRIST HAS GIVEN HIMSELF FOR HER
TO SANCTIFY HER AND MAKE HER A
SOURCE
OF SANCTIFICATION. THE HOLY SPIRIT
GIVES HER LIFE WITH CHARITY.
 CHURCH: HOLY
HOLINESS IS THE VOCATION OF EACH
OF
HER MEMBERS AND THE PURPOSE OF
ALL HER ACTIVITIES. THE HOLINESS
OF THE CHURCH IS THE FOUNTAIN OF
SANCTIFICATION FOR HER CHILDREN
WHO RECOGNIZE THEMSELVES
AS SINNERS WHO NEED
CONVERSION & PURIFICATION.
 CHURCH: CATHOLIC
The church is “CATHOLIC,” that is universal
insofar as Christ is present in her. “Where there is
Christ Jesus, there is the Catholic Church” (St.
Ignatius of Antioch). The Church proclaims the fullness
and the totality of the faith; she bears and
administers the fullness of the means of salvation;
she is sent out by Christ
on a mission to the whole human race.
 CHURCH: APOSTOLIC
APOSTOLIC in its:
Origin – built on the “foundation of the apostles” (Eph.
2:20).
Teaching – the same as the apostles taught
Structure – taught, sanctified, and guided by the
apostles until Christ returns through their
successors (bishops) in communion with the pope,
the successor of Peter.
 JESUS CHOSE SIMON FROM THE
TWELVE (12) WHOM HE RENAMED
PETER “ROCK”AS HEAD. HE SAID TO
HIM, “I, FOR MY PART DECLARE
UNTO YOU; YOU ARE THE ROCK,
AND ON THIS ROCK, I WILL BUILD
MY CHURCH AND THE JAWS OF
DEATH SHALL
NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT.
JESUS CHOSE SIMON FROM THE TWELVE
(12) WHOM HE RENAMED PETER
“ROCK”AS HEAD. HE SAID TO HIM, “I, FOR
MY PART DECLARE UNTO YOU; YOU ARE
THE ROCK, AND ON THIS ROCK, I WILL
BUILD MY CHURCH;
AND THE JAWS OF DEATH SHALL
NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
FOUNDED BY JESUS CHRIST IN
JERUSALEM IN 33 AD UPON PETER THE
“ROCK“. THIS IS THE CHURCH WHO
FORMED THE BIBLE! ACCEPTANCE OF
PETER’S PRIMACY, THE CLEAR
TEACHING OF THE BIBLE, IS THE
ONLY WAY TO AVOID CONFUSIONS AND
CONTRADICTIONS IN CHRISTIANITY.
THIS
IS THE CHURCH WITH TRUE APOSTOLIC
SUCCESSION, WITH ITS MEMBERS ALL
OVER THE WORLD; THE WAY TO OUR
SALVATION! LET US GO TO THE CHURCH