The Church Jesus Built

When I am asked for my religious affiliation, I respond that I belong to the Catholic (Universal) Church. Religion is man-made. It is a belief system, traditions, and practices put into place by man. The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ, God himself, so that His presence would remain with us on earth until the end of time. It is the only Church which has been in existence since the time of Christ and the apostles.

All persons who claim to be Christians are members of this Church, which is the “Mystical Body of Christ” in its “invisible form”. Not all Christians acknowledge the “visible” church left behind by Jesus. Break-offs from the Catholic Church began in the 1500’s and has led to tens of thousands of man-made Christian religions from Lutheran to Methodist to Nondenominational.

1. The Visible, Catholic Church was instituted by Jesus Christ with Visible Leadership.

Matthew 16: 18-19 “And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and upon this rock foundation, I will build MY CHURCH, and not even the gates of hell will ever be able to overcome it. I will give you the KEYS of the Kingdom of heaven: what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven and what you will permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

Jesus knew that His time on earth was growing short. He had spent three years teaching and setting an example for His followers. His words to Peter were significant in that they referred to the words of Isaiah 22:21-22:

“I will put your official robe and belt on him and give him all the AUTHORITY you have had. He will be like a FATHER to the people of Jerusalem and Judah. I will give him complete authority under the KING, the descendant of David. He will have the KEYS of office. What he opens, no one will shut, and what he shuts, no one will open.”

These were real keys which opened a real temple. The keeper of these keys had full authority and represented the king. Jesus was instructing Peter and the other apostles that in His absence, Peter had full authority as teacher and keeper of the truth of the faith. Likewise, when Peter was no longer able to be the “keeper of the keys”, another was named as successor of Peter. Thus began the long line of Popes, or “fathers”, until Pope Francis of today. The church had its beginning; there would no end.

2. The Catholic Church was given the Authority to Interpret guided by the Holy Spirit

Why was it necessary that Jesus begin a Church? Many Christians will argue that all they need is the Bible. But, who is given the authority to interpret the Bible?

1 Timothy 1:7 “They want to be teachers of God’s law, but they DO NOT UNDERSTAND their own words or the matters about which they speak with so much confidence.”

Jesus did not leave behind any written words. At the time of the resurrection, the only scripture was that of the Old Testament. Over time, a New Testament developed. The Church was the ultimate decision maker in which writings were inspired by the Holy Spirit. The books of the New Testament were in place as early as the 4th century. A final definition of which books would be included in the New Testament happened at the Council of Trent in 1556. The Bible is the Book of the Church. The Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote the scriptures and interprets the scriptures.

1 Timothy 3:15: “…how we should conduct ourselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, THE PILLAR AND SUPPORT OF THE TRUTH.”

2 Thessalonians 2:15: “So then, our brothers, stand firm and hold on to those truths which we taught you, BOTH IN OUR PREACHING AND IN OUR LETTER.”

Scripture teaches us that the Church is the pillar of truth. The apostles and Paul had no Bible to direct their thoughts and decisions. They made up the church, and as such, were guided by the Holy Spirit. Their teachings were passed on, whether the teaching was in writing or by oral tradition. This was the reason for the Church; to protect, defend and teach the truth.

3. The Sacrifice of the Mass gives mankind the Most Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ

The worship of the Catholic Mass is liturgical. There are two parts: 1- The Liturgy of the Word and 2- The Liturgy of the Eucharist. Jesus while on earth worshipped in the Jewish Temple. The Jewish worship was liturgical and consisted of the reading of God’s Word. There were candles and incense, and the Word was treated very reverently.

The early Christians were for the most part Jews who knew that Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promises. They continued to participate in the Temple Liturgy of the Word and celebrated the Eucharist in people’s homes. This continued until the late first century, when too much hostility towards the new Christians forced a permanent division between the two faiths.

St. Justin, Martyr, defended the worship of Christians in the year 155AD. The worship service described is still seen in the Catholic Church today.

The Word of God is held high during the processions of the servers of the Mass. The congregation rises to their feet when the Word enters the building. There are scripture readings and then once again the congregation rise to their feet for the Gospel, the words of Jesus Christ. Readings are followed by a teaching moment given by the priest or deacon. This ends the Liturgy of the Word.

Bread and wine are brought up at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God. During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the same sacrifice which occurred on Calvary is made present on the altar. The congregation become participants in the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. At the time of consecration, members kneel in reverence as ordinary bread and wine become transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ by the laying of hands. The REAL PRECENSE OF JESUS CHRIST! Members of the congregation are then invited to communion with Christ. Only those members who are in full agreement with the Church can partake of this sacrament.

1 Corinthians 11:26-28: “This means that every time you eat this bread and drink from this cup you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. It follows that if anyone eats the Lord’s bread or drinks from His cup in a way that dishonors Him, he is guilty of sin against the Lords’ body and blood…For if he does not recognize the meaning of the Lord’s body, when he eats the bread and drinks from the cup, he brings judgement on himself as he eats and drinks.”

Daily at every Catholic Mass, Christ is present in the Word and in the Eucharist. We are guided by His Word and we are given strength by His body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist. Since the time Jesus handed the keys to Peter, the Pope or Father of the Church, with authority handed down by Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, has led His flock and guarded His Truths and the faith.

Jesus Christ founded and built A CHURCH. He knew there would be divisions. He knew the Church would be tested and tried. The Church Jesus built is Visible, it is Holy and it Welcomes Everyone to the Truth.

I belong to the Catholic Church. I belong to the Way, the Truth and the Life.