Describing the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church is often described in two ways:
- the church as 'Body of Christ'
- the church as 'people of God'
Body of Christ
The description of the Church as the 'Body of Christ' has its basis in the writings of St Paul.
The relationship between the Church and Christ is the same as the relationship between the body and the head. Neither can survive without the other. The Church needs Christ, just as the body needs the head.
The Church includes everyone who has faith and has a duty to . This means that the Church has a duty to share the word of God and educate others so that they might convert to the Catholic faith. The belief is that it is through the Church and Christ alone that humanity can find .
People of God
The Church is also described as the ‘people of God.’ makes it clear that God does not belong to any one person or group, because God is the one who calls people to him. The people of God are those who have been chosen and called by God to him. An individual can become a member of the people through the Sacrament of Baptism.
The people of God also have a duty to follow the of God and a duty towards fellow human beings. They have a :
- to spread the Word of God, hope and salvation to the world
- to live as Christ did