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Understanding the Church's Role

The document discusses the origin and meaning of the word "church" (ecclesia) which comes from Greek and means an assembly or gathering of people. It describes how the word was used in the Greek Old Testament to refer to the assembly of God's chosen people. It also explains that in Christian usage, the word designates both the local community of believers as well as the universal community of all believers gathered together from around the world. The church draws its life from Christ and becomes Christ's body.

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188 views13 pages

Understanding the Church's Role

The document discusses the origin and meaning of the word "church" (ecclesia) which comes from Greek and means an assembly or gathering of people. It describes how the word was used in the Greek Old Testament to refer to the assembly of God's chosen people. It also explains that in Christian usage, the word designates both the local community of believers as well as the universal community of all believers gathered together from around the world. The church draws its life from Christ and becomes Christ's body.

Uploaded by

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Origin of the

Church
CCC 751
The word “church” (Latin ecclesia, from the Greek ek-ka-lein, to “call
out of”) means “ a convocation” or an assembly.

Ekklesia is frequently used in the Greek Old Testament for the assembly
of the Chosen People before God, their assembly on Mt. Sinai where
Israel received the Law and was established by God as His Holy people.

In the church, God is “calling together” His people from all the ends of
the earth.
CCC 752
In the Christian usage, the word “church” designates the
liturgical assembly, but also the local community or the
whole universal community of believers.
These three meanings are inseparable:
1. The Church is the people that gathers in the whole
world.
2. She exists in local communities and is made real as a
liturgical, above all a Eucharistic, assembly.
3. She draws her life from the Word and Body of Christ
and so herself becomes Christ’s Body.
Pentecost
 was considered the formal inauguration of the Christian
Church
 Greek word pentekoste “the fiftieth day”
It is originally a Jewish holiday, the Feast of Weeks, which
was celebrated fifty days after the Passover
was a period from Easter to Pentecost Sunday in which
prayer was recited and the singing of Hallelujah was done
more frequently
Community of believers

The church refers to the ekklesia


or the assembly of the people
believing in Jesus Christ, or the
people (koinonia) who gather
together for their common love
for Christ, the Savior.
What is Church as a
structure?

Temple
Synagogue
Tabernacle
Cathedral
Basilica
Chapel
Simbahan
Simon Peter

He was the leader of the


Apostles and the first
pope of the church. From
his original name Simon,
Jesus named him “Peter.”
(John 1:42)
The Purpose of the Church
Threefold mission of the
Church
in relation to God’s reign
1. Kerygma (Proclamation)
It is the task of the church to proclaim the Gospel
and make the memory of Jesus alive in words and signs,
to remind the people of his continuous presence in the
world, and to profess its hope in the unique and
creative manifestations of Christ in the future.

2. Koinonia (Community Fellowship)


The church, in carrying out her mission, must proclaim
the message not only in words but more importantly, in
her lifestyle.

3. Diakonia (Servant)
The church must serve as an instrument of unity in the
world.
PCP II 421- 422
The family is the church in the home.
It is the primary community of
Christ’s disciples whose members are
bound together not only by ties of
flesh and blood but also by the grace
of obedience to the Father’s will.

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