
The Catholic Church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized members worldwide, is the largest Christian church and one of the world's oldest and largest international institutions. It is a community of disciples of Jesus, founded by him, and is meant to deepen the relationship between Jesus Christ and his followers. The Church teaches that it is necessary for salvation, and that all salvation comes from Christ, who is the Head, through the Church, which is his Body. The Church is also a source of unity, having united men who differ on almost everything for nineteen centuries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| The purpose of the Church | To deepen the relationship with Jesus Christ |
| Who created the Church | Jesus |
| Who is the Church for | All people, regardless of race, social or economic status |
| Who is included in the Church | The ordained, those in religious life, and the laity |
| What is the Church's authority | The Church exercises divine authority over its subjects in spiritual matters and indirect authority in temporal matters |
| What is the Church's role in salvation | The Church is necessary for salvation, teaching that "all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body" |
| What is the Church's role in society | The Catholic Church is the largest non-governmental provider of education and healthcare in the world, operating tens of thousands of schools, universities, hospitals, and orphanages |
| What is the Church's history | The Catholic Church is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, influencing the history and development of Western civilization |
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What You'll Learn

The Church is necessary for salvation
The Catholic Church is considered necessary for salvation because it is believed that Jesus Christ himself established it. The Church is not just a social group or a club, but a family formed by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is a community of disciples of Jesus, and it is through this community that we encounter Jesus Christ, deepen our relationship with him, and become a part of him.
The Bible tells a story about God, sin, and salvation that contradicts the idea that people naturally go to heaven when they die. Instead, the biblical view suggests that it is natural for us not to go to heaven. This is because sin was introduced into the world by Adam and Eve, who disobeyed God.
The Catholic Church teaches that it is the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church founded by Jesus Christ in his Great Commission. It maintains that it practices the original Christian faith taught by the apostles, preserving the faith infallibly through scripture and sacred tradition. The Church is catholic (universal) in that it spans the ages, encompassing the Old and New Testaments, and includes people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.
The Church is not limited to the ordained but includes all the baptized, the ordained, those in religious life, and the laity. The Church is necessary for salvation because it is through baptism that we enter the Church, and thereby affirm our necessity for the Church for salvation.
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The Church is a community of disciples of Jesus
The Catholic Church is a community of disciples of Jesus, founded by Jesus himself. It is a family, formed by the Father, his Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Church is not limited to the ordained, but includes all the baptised, those in religious life, and the laity.
The Church is a community of disciples, where people encounter Jesus Christ and deepen their relationship with him. It is through the Church that people are joined to Jesus Christ and become a member of his body. It is where people deepen their understanding of Jesus and his teachings.
The Church is a place of salvation, where people hear and receive Christ. It is the body of Christ, and it is through the Church that people are united with Christ and saved. This is not limited to Catholics alone, but even non-Catholics can be saved by being united with the Church. The Church is necessary for salvation, as it is the mediator and the way to salvation.
The Church is also a visible, catholic society, spanning the ages and encompassing people from all nations, tribes, and tongues. It is made up of all those who profess the true religion and is founded on divine revelation through the Apostles and prophets, with Jesus as its cornerstone.
The Catholic Church, with its 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptised members worldwide, is the largest Christian church. It is a community of disciples of Jesus, united in their faith and their relationship with him, working towards their salvation through the Church.
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The Church is a family, formed by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
The Church is essential in Catholic eyes as it is a family formed by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This family is a community of disciples of Jesus, united by their relationship with Christ. The Church is not merely an administrative body, but a living, dynamic entity, bound by faith and prayer.
The Church is a place of belonging, where one encounters Jesus Christ and develops a deeper relationship with Him. It is a place of growth, where one can deepen their understanding of Jesus and His teachings. The Church is a community of believers, a family, where one can experience the love of God and the fellowship of fellow Christians.
The idea of the Church as a family is ancient, and it is rooted in the Old Testament. God formed His family in the Old Testament by calling certain people to Himself and establishing a relationship with them. In the New Testament, He calls all people into this family, which He established through a solemn covenant. The Church, as a family, is a "domestic church", a term that has re-emerged in recent times.
The Church is a family in the sense that it is a community of believers who are united by their shared faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. Believers are called by name to be part of this family and are drawn together by the Holy Spirit. The Church is a place where Christians can support, encourage, and love one another as they journey through life. It is a place of fellowship, where believers can eat together, worship together, and spend time with one another, just as a family would.
The Church is also a means of evangelization, a way to spread the joy of the Gospel to the whole world. Every family and parish have a missionary outlook, and it is through the Church that Christians can radiate Christ to the world. The Church, as a family, is a powerful tool for spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.
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The Church is a special society, bringing the elect to saving faith in Christ
The Catholic Church is a unique society, established by God to lead the chosen ones to saving faith in Christ. It is a community of disciples of Jesus, encompassing the ordained, those in religious life, and the laity. The Church is not merely a social group or a club, but a family formed by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is through the Church that we encounter Jesus Christ, deepen our relationship with him, and become a part of his Body.
The Church is a visible and catholic (universal) institution, spanning ages, nations, and all kinds of people. It is founded on the truth of Christ and the revelation of the Holy Spirit through sacred scripture and tradition. The Church is necessary for salvation, as it is the mediator and the way to salvation through Christ. This does not imply that only Catholics can attain salvation, but that even non-Catholics who reach heaven are saved by being united with the Church in some way.
The Catholic Church, with its 1.27 to 1.41 billion members worldwide, is the largest Christian church and one of the oldest and most influential international institutions. It consists of 24 autonomous churches, including the Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, each with its own internal governance structures while recognizing the authority of the pope.
The Church plays a crucial role in the spiritual and social aspects of its members' lives. It provides sacraments, such as the Eucharist, which is the principal liturgical celebration. It also emphasizes the importance of good works, love, hope, and faith in attaining salvation. Additionally, the Church operates educational and healthcare institutions, providing support and assistance to those in need through its various charitable organizations.
The Church, as a special society, is integral to Catholics' spiritual journey, providing a path to saving faith in Christ and a deeper understanding of his teachings. It serves as a guide for its members, helping them navigate their relationship with God and their role in the world.
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The Church is a pillar and buttress of the truth
The Catholic Church is a pillar and buttress of the truth. The Church is a community of disciples of Jesus, founded by him to deepen our relationship with him and to spread his teachings.
The Church is a place where we encounter Jesus Christ and grow in our knowledge of him. It is a place where we are joined to Jesus Christ and become a member of his body, rooted in him. It is a place where we receive and grow in our identity as beloved children of God. The Church is not a social group or a club, but a family formed by God.
The Church is a special society through which God brings people to saving faith in Christ. It is a visible and catholic (universal) society, spanning all ages, nations, and kinds of people. The Church is founded on divine revelation through the Apostles and prophets, with Jesus as its cornerstone.
The Church is necessary for salvation. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, "all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body". This does not mean that only Catholics can be saved, but that even non-Catholics who are saved are united to the Church in some way, even if they are not aware of it. The Church teaches that it practises the original Christian faith taught by the apostles and preserves this faith through scripture and sacred tradition.
The Catholic Church has been a unifying force for its members for nineteen centuries, overcoming differences of colour, race, and nation. It has profoundly influenced Western philosophy, culture, art, literature, music, law, and science. The Church has also been a force for good in the world, operating educational and healthcare institutions, as well as providing charitable and humanitarian services.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Church teaches that it is necessary for salvation. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body". However, this does not mean that only Catholics can be saved. Non-Catholics can still attain salvation by being united with the Church in some way, even unknowingly.
The Church is a community of disciples of Jesus, created by him to deepen our relationship with him and to grow in knowledge of him. It is a family, formed by the Father, his Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus created the Church so that we might enter into and grow in relationship with him. It is through the Church that we are joined to Jesus Christ and become a member of his Body. It is also through the Church that we receive and grow in our identity as beloved children of God.











































