The Origins and Mission of the Church: A Theological Perspective

The Mission of the Disciples

Jesus was surrounded from the beginning of his sermon by a nearby group of people: the disciples. Some were called by Jesus, while others were attracted by his presence. Jesus chose twelve from among the large group of followers, calling them apostles, which means those who are sent.

The Manifestation of the Church at Pentecost

After the death of Jesus, the disciples remained united around the apostles and Mary. During that time, Jesus appeared to them several times. The Book of Acts, written by Luke, narrates how the promise was fulfilled at the feast of Pentecost: the Holy Spirit poured into the hearts of the disciples, giving them the strength to be witnesses of Jesus. The Church was born in this community of disciples.

Images of the Church

The Church describes itself through three primary images:

• The People of God
• The Body of Christ
• The Temple of the Holy Spirit

One Body, Different Responsibilities

The Church is composed of various roles, including the laity, the hierarchy, and men and women religious.

The Mission: Proclaiming the Kingdom of God

To proclaim the Kingdom of God throughout the world, the Christian community follows four paths:

• Living in communion
• Serving the needy
• Proclaiming the Gospel
• Celebrating the memory of Jesus

Vocabulary

• Grace: The love of God working in people's lives, providing light and strength to love as Jesus did.
• Blessed (Beato): A person declared by the Church as a model of Christian life and worthy of veneration.
• Saint (Santo): A person recognized by the Church as having lived a life of religious perfection.
• Disciple: A person who hears and follows the teachings of Jesus.
• Apostle: A witness who saw Jesus die and rise again.
• Pentecost: The coming of the Holy Spirit to the apostles and Mary, enabling them to understand all that Jesus taught and did during his ministry.