Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth

An unbroken history

Jesus said his Church would be a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14): a visible Church. He promised the gates of hell would not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Only the Catholic Church has existed since Christ; the Orthodox broke from the pope in 1054, and Protestant churches arose from 1517 on. The line of popes goes back unbroken to Peter. That the Church has survived nearly 2,000 years, despite opposition and despite unwise, corrupt or heretical members and leaders, testifies to the Holy Spirit's protection. God answers our deepest questions if we open ourselves to his grace and turn to his Church (John 7:17).

The four marks

• One (Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 10:17; 12:13; CCC 813-822). Christ has one bride (Ephesians 5:23-32) and the Church teaches one set of apostolic doctrines (Jude 3; Philippians 1:27; 2:2). Its official teachers have never changed a doctrine, though understanding deepens (John 16:12-13).
• Holy (Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 19:7-8; CCC 823-829). Not every member is holy (John 6:70; Matthew 7:21-23), but the Church is the source of holiness and guardian of the sacraments (cf. Ephesians 5:26).
• Catholic (Matthew 28:19-20; Revelation 5:9-10; CCC 830-856). It is Christ's gift to all nations (Galatians 3:28) and is found in every country. Ignatius of Antioch used the name "the Catholic Church" by about 107.
• Apostolic (Ephesians 2:19-20; CCC 857-865). Bishops in unbroken line hand on what the apostles taught in Scripture and Tradition (2 Timothy 2:2), including the Real Presence, the Mass as sacrifice, priestly absolution, baptismal regeneration, purgatory and Mary's role. Early Christian writings show the first Christians were thoroughly Catholic.

God preserves his Church (Matthew 16:18; 28:20), as he guided Israel by a pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21). Scripture calls the Church "the pillar and foundation of truth" (1 Timothy 3:15), and Jesus told the apostles that whoever listens to them listens to him (Luke 10:16).

The structure of the Church

Jesus gave the apostles his authority to teach and govern as pastors and fathers; hence Catholics call priests "father," following Paul (1 Corinthians 4:15). The apostles ordained bishops, priests and deacons. Jesus renamed Simon Kepha, "rock" (John 1:42; Matthew 16:18), gave him alone the keys (Matthew 16:19), though binding power also to the others (Matthew 18:18), made him chief shepherd (John 21:15-17) and charged him to strengthen the others (Luke 22:31-32). Peter led the early Church (Acts 2:1-41; 15:7-12). The pope succeeds Peter as bishop of Rome; the other bishops succeed the apostles (CCC 880-883).

How God speaks to us

• Tradition (CCC 75-83). Sacred Tradition is not human custom. Jesus condemned customs only when they contradicted God's commands (Mark 7:8). Doctrines such as the Trinity, infant baptism, biblical inerrancy, purgatory and Mary's perpetual virginity are most clearly taught through Tradition, though implicit in Scripture. The Bible tells us to hold to Tradition, written or oral (2 Thessalonians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 11:2). Customs such as the rosary, priestly celibacy and Lenten abstinence are good, but they are disciplines, not doctrines.
• Scripture (CCC 101-141). Scripture is inspired (2 Timothy 3:16) and, since God is truth (John 14:6), free from error in all it asserts. "The Bible alone" is not taught in the Bible, which teaches the contrary (2 Peter 1:20-21; 3:15-16). No one in the early Church held it; it arose in the 1500s and is a tradition of men (Mark 7:1-8). It fails in practice, producing tens of thousands of competing denominations, and the Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).
• The Magisterium (CCC 85-87, 888-892). The pope and bishops form the teaching authority, protected from error by the Spirit. The Church came before the New Testament and is its guardian and interpreter, as a constitution needs a court. It is infallible because Jesus promised to guide it into all truth (John 16:12-13).

The sacraments

Jesus did not leave us orphans (John 14:18) but sent the Spirit (John 15:26) and gave seven sacraments: signs that actually convey grace. Old Testament signs such as circumcision and the Passover merely symbolized grace; Christ filled such signs with grace. Matter is good (Genesis 1:31), dignified by the Incarnation (John 1:14), and Jesus used water, mud, bread and wine in his miracles (John 2:1-11; 9:1-7; 6:5-13; Matthew 26:26-28).

• Baptism (CCC 1213-1284): we must be born of water and Spirit (John 3:5); it is the bath of rebirth (Titus 3:5), unites us to Christ's death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-7), cleanses sin and gives the Spirit (Acts 2:38; 22:16); Peter says baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21).
• Penance (CCC 1422-1498): Christ gave the apostles power to forgive and retain sins (John 20:22-23) and the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
• Eucharist (CCC 1322-1419): Jesus is the Lamb of God (John 1:29) of the New Covenant (Luke 22:20); we must eat his flesh and drink his blood (John 6:53), as he instituted at the Last Supper (Mark 14:22-24). The Mass is not another sacrifice but the once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:28) made present. Receiving unworthily brings judgment (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). After the consecration no bread or wine remains, only Jesus under their appearances.
• Confirmation (CCC 1285-1321): the apostles laid hands on others to strengthen them with the Spirit (Acts 8:14-17).
• Matrimony (CCC 1601-1666): a sacramental marriage is permanent until death (Mark 10:1-12; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11) and images Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:21-33).
• Holy orders (CCC 1536-1600): as within priestly Israel (Exodus 19:6, 22), so within the priestly people of the New Covenant (1 Peter 2:9) Christ calls some to special priestly ministry (Romans 15:15-16; 2 Timothy 1:6-7).
• Anointing of the sick (CCC 1499-1532): the presbyters anoint the sick, who are raised up and forgiven (James 5:14-15).

Prayer and the saints

Through prayer, especially the Mass, we worship, repent and intercede (1 Timothy 2:1-4; CCC 2663-2696). Death cannot separate us from Christ (Romans 8:3-8), so those in heaven and in purgatory (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) remain in his Body (CCC 962). The saints love us and pray for us (Matthew 22:39; Revelation 5:8), and their prayers are powerful (James 5:16; CCC 956, 2683, 2692). Asking their prayers does not undermine Christ as sole mediator (1 Timothy 2:5); all members help one another by prayer (CCC 2647). God gave Mary a special role (CCC 490-511, 963-975; John 2:1-11): he saved her from sin (Luke 1:28, 47), blessed her among women (Luke 1:42), made her a model (Luke 1:48), and took her body and soul into heaven (Revelation 12:1-2).

The purpose of life and salvation

God made us to know, love and serve him in this world and be happy with him forever in the next; Jesus came that we might have life abundantly (John 10:10). He died to save us from sin (CCC 599-623) and makes us part of his Body (1 Corinthians 12:27-30) and partners in salvation (1 Corinthians 3:9).

Eternal life is a free gift (CCC 1727); initial justification is not earned (CCC 2010). We are saved by grace alone, but not by faith alone (James 2:24). God then plants his love in us, and acts of love done by his grace please him and are rewarded with eternal life (Galatians 6:2; Romans 2:6-11; Galatians 6:6-10; Matthew 25:34-40). It is not enough to call Jesus "Lord"; we must obey (Luke 6:46; Matthew 7:21-23; 19:16-21). We do not earn salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 9:16), but faith joined to obedience and love is rewarded (Romans 2:7; Galatians 6:8-9), for God works in us to will and to act (Philippians 2:13; 1 John 2:3-4; 3:19-24; 5:3-4).

Salvation can be thrown away by mortal sin (1 John 5:16; Romans 11:22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; CCC 1854-1863). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and Paul repeatedly warns Christians that sin excludes from the kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 2:6-8). Sins are evil works (CCC 1849-1850), best avoided by prayer, the sacraments and charity.

Assurance of salvation

The idea that every Christian has absolute assurance regardless of how he lives contradicts Scripture. We shall reign with Christ if we persevere (Romans 6:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:11-12); Christians can forfeit heaven (CCC 1861). We have a moral assurance that God keeps his word to those who believe and obey (1 John 3:19-24), but not a guarantee: we remain in God's kindness or we are cut off (Romans 11:22-23; Matthew 18:21-35; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; 2 Peter 2:20-21), and whoever thinks he stands should take care not to fall (1 Corinthians 10:11-12). Asked if you are "saved," a Catholic can say: I am redeemed by Christ's blood, I trust in him alone, and I am working out my salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) by his grace.

The wave of the future

Secularism, cults and incomplete forms of Christianity are proving inadequate, and many are turning to the Catholic Church, drawn by its truth. Opposition to the Church is itself a sign of its divine origin (John 15:18-21). Separated brethren hold much truth, but like a stained-glass window with some panes lost and replaced, their Christianity is incomplete. Every year many thousands enter the Church.

Your tasks as a Catholic

• Know your faith (CCC 429).
• Live your faith publicly (CCC 2472), accepting the cost; our reward is great in heaven (Matthew 5:12).
• Spread your faith (CCC 905), as Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:19-20).