5C Notes

5C. Necessity of the Church for Salvation

—no salvation outside of church

—apostles are the church, participate in divine life through them

—Church and Sacraments established as the means by which we receive Holy Spirit and are allowed to participate in divine life

Mystical Body of Christ

—Kingdom of God is Christ

—KoG on earth is the church

—St Paul writes that church is Body of Christ

—Many Parts of One Body

•two dimensions of union

-Vertical-Christ

–through Christ we receive grace

–Christ is central to Christianity

–Vine-we unite to him

-Horizontal-each other

–all parts United

–same mission, different paths

–spokes on a wheel

-Christ is head, we are body

-Bride/Bridegroom relationship

3 States of the Church

—Church Triumphant: Heaven

—Church Suffering: Purgatory

—Church Pilgrim/Church Militant: On Earth