Mark of the Church Paper
The Marks of The Church
The Marks of the Church. The Nicene Creed was written centuries ago to provide definition of what Christianity is and to help Christians remember the important points of their faith. The four major points are known as the four marks of the church to Catholics. The four marks of the church is the Church is One, the Church is Holy, the Church is Catholic, and the Church is Apostolic. The life of a Catholic is characterized by a belief in the four marks of the church.
The Church is One. Catholics believe that Jesus as God is one in union with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus established one Church and unified people from all the nations to worship in unity with one common objective. Catholics believe that this unity in worship is preserved through the line of Bishops who preserve this common objective. This is called apostolic succession. The call to be One is not a call to lose individuality but is a call to worship God in a unified and uniform way with structure. It is similar to a man and woman who get married and who become one. Even though there are two different people, their goals and objectives in life are supposed to be as one. To Catholics, the Church is one because all of its members practice the same faith and are united in one direction in serving God. To Catholics, the Pope is a unifying figure. The Pope helps to keep unity when national and cultural differences come up. The Pope calls Catholics everywhere to remember the one direction of the Church and their responsibility to all of God’s people.
The Church Is Holy. The Church is holy because the Church is in union with the source of holiness: God. “The word Holy is derived from a Hebrew term meaning “separate”. In worship, ‘holy’ applies to that which is separated from common use, or held sacred. Holiness also strongly conveys the idea of cleanness and purity.” Holy does not mean perfect. Some mistakingly associate holiness with self-righteousness.
The Marks of the Church. The Nicene Creed was written centuries ago to provide definition of what Christianity is and to help Christians remember the important points of their faith. The four major points are known as the four marks of the church to Catholics. The four marks of the church is the Church is One, the Church is Holy, the Church is Catholic, and the Church is Apostolic. The life of a Catholic is characterized by a belief in the four marks of the church.
The Church is One. Catholics believe that Jesus as God is one in union with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus established one Church and unified people from all the nations to worship in unity with one common objective. Catholics believe that this unity in worship is preserved through the line of Bishops who preserve this common objective. This is called apostolic succession. The call to be One is not a call to lose individuality but is a call to worship God in a unified and uniform way with structure. It is similar to a man and woman who get married and who become one. Even though there are two different people, their goals and objectives in life are supposed to be as one. To Catholics, the Church is one because all of its members practice the same faith and are united in one direction in serving God. To Catholics, the Pope is a unifying figure. The Pope helps to keep unity when national and cultural differences come up. The Pope calls Catholics everywhere to remember the one direction of the Church and their responsibility to all of God’s people.
The Church Is Holy. The Church is holy because the Church is in union with the source of holiness: God. “The word Holy is derived from a Hebrew term meaning “separate”. In worship, ‘holy’ applies to that which is separated from common use, or held sacred. Holiness also strongly conveys the idea of cleanness and purity.” Holy does not mean perfect. Some mistakingly associate holiness with self-righteousness.