T
Tanais
Guest
I was just wondering how the marks of the Church (One, Holy, Catholic, + Apostolic) are typically explained. How would you explain them? I usually do something like this:
I. One
The Church speaks with one voice the one true faith with the one baptism. She does not let her teachers preach heresy and is united to the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, who proclaims with one voice on behalf the whole Church the orthodox faith.
II. Holy
The Church is holy because it is set aside by God for a special mission, that of proclaiming the truth of salvation to all mankind. She is also holy because she is divinely protected by the Holy Spirit to ensure the authentic faith is transmitted from generation to generation
III. Catholic
The Church is catholic because she transcends cultural and national boundaries and is available to all. This distinquishes her from the heretical groups who were often limited to a particular region or ethinicity. This would exclude some churches like the Angilican and orthodox because often they are along national and cultural lines.
IV. Apostolic
The Church is apostolic because she has apostolic succession through her bishops who in turn safeguard apostolic Tradition, thereby making her transcend time. This also makes eternal Doctrine, believing the same thing throughout her entire history which would exclude just about any Protestant sect.
I realize i probably did not include all that could be said about the Marks of the Church. Does anyone have anything to add to what I have said? it would be most helpful to me, I want to be able to acurately describe the Marks and how the true Church possess them all in their fullness whereas others do not. Does anyone have any comments or complaints?
I. One
The Church speaks with one voice the one true faith with the one baptism. She does not let her teachers preach heresy and is united to the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, who proclaims with one voice on behalf the whole Church the orthodox faith.
II. Holy
The Church is holy because it is set aside by God for a special mission, that of proclaiming the truth of salvation to all mankind. She is also holy because she is divinely protected by the Holy Spirit to ensure the authentic faith is transmitted from generation to generation
III. Catholic
The Church is catholic because she transcends cultural and national boundaries and is available to all. This distinquishes her from the heretical groups who were often limited to a particular region or ethinicity. This would exclude some churches like the Angilican and orthodox because often they are along national and cultural lines.
IV. Apostolic
The Church is apostolic because she has apostolic succession through her bishops who in turn safeguard apostolic Tradition, thereby making her transcend time. This also makes eternal Doctrine, believing the same thing throughout her entire history which would exclude just about any Protestant sect.
I realize i probably did not include all that could be said about the Marks of the Church. Does anyone have anything to add to what I have said? it would be most helpful to me, I want to be able to acurately describe the Marks and how the true Church possess them all in their fullness whereas others do not. Does anyone have any comments or complaints?