Grace, the Church, Scripture, and the Sacraments

Posted Mon, 05/04/2009 - 07:42 by admin

Grace

Grace is a free gift of God	Ps 84:11; Zech 12:10; Jn 1:16; 3:27; Rom 3:24; 4:2-5; 16; 5:15-17; 9:14-18; 11:6; 1Cor 4:7; 1Pet 5:10
Grace is given through Jesus	Jn 1:17; Rom 1:5; Gal 1:6; Eph 2:7; 1Tim 1:14; 2Tim 1:9
Jesus is grace of God	Mt 21:37; Jn 3:16-17; Rom 3:24; 2Cor 8:9; Gal 4:4; Tit 2:11; Heb 2:11
God's grace is inexhaustible	Rom 5:17; 2Cor 4:15; 9:8; Eph 1:7; 2:7; 1Tim 1:14
Riches come from throne of grace	Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16
Grace makes us strong in faith	Acts 4:33; 6:8; 14:3; 20:32; Rom 1:11; 16:25; 1Cor 1:7-8; 2Thess 2:16-17; 3:3
Grace needed to spread the faith	Acts 18:27; Rom 1:5
Grace prepares us for eternal life	Rom 5:2; 6:23; Tit 1:2; 1Pet 1:13
God gives grace to the humble	Prov 3:34; Jas 4:6; 1Pet 5:5
Grace demands a response	1Cor 15:10; 2Cor 11:23; Eph 2:10; Phil 2:12-13
By grace we grow in knowledge of Christ	2Pet 3:18
Mary is full of grace	Lk 1:28; 42
Grace more plentiful than sin	Rom 5:15; 20; 6:1; 2Cor 12:9
Grace can be lost	Heb 12:15; Jude 4
Grace and peace wished in greetings	Rom 1:7; 1Cor 1:3; 2Cor 1:2; Gal 1:3; Eph 1:2; Phil 1:2; Col 1:2; 1Thess 1:1; 2Thess 1:2; Philem 3; 1Tim 1:2; 2Tim 1:2; Tit 1:4; Heb 13:25

The Church

"How can we say that the Church wishes to bring us back into the dark ages? The church was the only thing that ever brought us out of them." G. K. Chesterton

Foretold in OT	Tobit 13:11-18; Is 2:2-3; Bar 5:3; Hos 2:14-24; Mic 4:1-3
Called Church of God	1Tim 3:15
Founded by Christ	Mt 16:18; 28:19; Mk 16:15; 1Cor 3:11; Eph 2:20; 1Pet 2:4-6
Is Body of Christ	Rom 12:4; 1Cor 12:12; Eph 1:22-23; 5:22; Col 1:18
Christ is head of Church	Eph 1:22; 5:23; Col 1:18
Purchased by Christ's blood	Acts 20:28; Eph 5:25; Heb 9:12
Is everlasting	Mt 16:18; 28:20
Is visible	Mt 5:14; Mk 4:30-32; Eph 2:19-22
Is infallible	Mt 16:18; 28:20; Mk 16:16; Lk 10:16; 1Tim 3:15
Authority of Church	Mt 16:18-19; 18:18; Jn 20:23
Members to be holy	1Cor 1:2; Col 3:12
Growth of Church	Acts 2:41; 2:47; 5:14; 6:7; 11:24
Christ is cornerstone	Ps 118:22; Mt 21:42; Mk 12:10; Lk 20:17; Acts 4:11; Eph 2:20; 1Pet 2:4; 7
Built on apostles	1Cor 3:10; Eph 2:20; Rev 21:14
Good and bad members	Mt 13:41-48; 22:10
Doctrine, community, sacred rite (bread)	Acts 2:42
Christ loved the Church	Eph 5:25-26
Church is pillar/foundation of truth	1 Tim 3:15
Unbroken succession	Acts 1:15-26; 2 Tim 2:2; Tit 1:5
Christ protects Church	Mt 16:18; 20:20
Presbyters/elders (priests) were ordained, preached and taught the flock, administered sacraments	Acts 15:6;23; 1 Tim 4:14; 5:22; 1 Tim 5:17; Jas 5:13-15; Rom 15:16

Communion of Saints

Unity of all Christians	Jn 15:5; Rom 12:4; 1Cor 6:12-20; 10:17; 12:4-27; Eph 2:19; 5:30; Col 1:18; 24; 2:19; 3:15
Praying for each other	Jer 15:1; Acts 12:5; Rom 15:30; 2Cor 13:7; Eph 6:18; Col 4:3 1Thess 5:25; 2Thess 3:1; Heb 13:18; Jas 5:16
Intercession of saints	Tobit 12:12; 2Mac 15:14; Rev 5:8; 8:4
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful. The saints in heaven are righteous, so their prayers are powerful.	James 5:16
The saints are part of the Body of Christ and function within it.	I Cor. 12:12-26
We are surrounded by saints	Heb 12:1
Saints now in heaven	1Thess 3:13; Heb 11:40; 12:23; 1Pet 3:19; Rev 6:9
Miracles through relics	Acts 5:15; 19:11-12
All called to be saints	Eph 1:4-6; 12; 14

Baptism

"Then the catechumens are brought by us to where there is water, and they are reborn into the same manner in which we ourselves were reborn." -- Justin Martyr (before 165 AD)

Foreshadowed in OT	Ezek 36:25; 1Pet 3:20-21
John's baptism preparatory	Mk 1:4; 8; Acts 1:5; 11:16; 19:4
Administered by disciples	Jn 4:2
In Christ's name	Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; Rev 14:1; 22:4
In name of Trinity	Mt 28:19
For all mankind	Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15-16; Lk 24:47; Acts 2:38
Baptized into Christ	1Cor 12:13; Gal 3:27
Baptized into Christ's death	Rom 6:3
Baptized to new life	Rom 6:4; Tit 3:5
With water and Holy Spirit	Jn 3:5; Eph 5:26; Tit 3:5
Only one baptism	Eph 4:5
Necessity of baptism	Mk 16:16; Jn 3:5
For our redemption	1Jn 5:6
For sanctified	1Cor 6:11; Eph 5:26
For justification	1Cor 6:11
Our assurance of resurrection	Rom 6:3-5; 1Cor 15:29
A free gift of God	Tit 3:5
Forgives sin	1 Peter 3:21; Acts 2:38; 22:16

Anointing. The symbolism of anointing with oil also signifies the Holy Spirit, to the point of becoming a synonym for the Holy Spirit. In Christian initiation, anointing is the sacramental sign of Confirmation, called "chrismation" in the Churches of the East. Its full force can be grasped only in relation to the primary anointing accomplished by the Holy Spirit, that of Jesus. Christ (in Hebrew "messiah") means the one "anointed" by God's Spirit. -- The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Is indwelling of Holy Spirit	Jn 14:17; Acts 2:4; 10:44
Promised by Christ	Jn 14:16; 26; 15:26
Conferred by imposition of hands	Acts 8:17; 19:6
Distinct from baptism	Acts 8:15
Received before baptism	Acts 10:44
Received after baptism	Acts 2:38; 8:14-17; 19:5-6

Reconciliation (Confession & Penance)

God forgives sin	Mk 2:7; Lk 5:21
Christ has power to forgive sin	Mt 9:6; Mk 2:10; Lk 5:24; Col 3:13
Confession instituted by Christ	Jn 20:22-23
Forgiveness is through Christ	2Cor 2:10
Is for reconciliation with Christ	2Cor 5:18
Reconciliation is from Christ	Rom 5:11; Col 1:20; Heb 1:3
Power is delegated by Christ	Jn 20:23; 2Cor 5:18
Degrees of sin (mortal or venial?)	1Jn 5:16
Penance reconciles the sinner to the community of believers	2 Cor 2:5-8
"If you forgive sins ... they are forgiven."	Jn 20:22-23
Binding on earth and heaven.	Mt 18:18
Ministry of reconciliation.	2 Cor 5:18
Forgiveness of sins, anointing of the sick, confession.	Jas 5:14-16

The Blessed Eucharist

"The most ferocious opponent of the Christian ceremonials must admit that if Catholicism had not instituted the bread and wine, somebody else would most probably have done so." G. K. Chesterton

Called the Lord's Supper	1Cor 11:20
Called the Agape (Love-Feast)	Jude 12
Called the Breaking of Bread	Acts 2:42
Promised by Christ	Jn 6:27-59
Instituted by Christ	Mt 26:26-29; Mk 14:22; Lk 22:15-20; 1Cor 11:23-25
Christ actually present in	Mt 26:26; Mk 14:22; Lk 22:19; Jn 6:35; 41; 51-58; 1Cor 11:27-29
Commemoration of Calvary	Mt 26:28; Lk 22:19-20; 1Cor 10:16; 11:25-26
Uniting us to Christ	Acts 2:42; Rom 12:5; 1Cor 10:17
May receive the consecrated species of bread or wine only	Lk 24:30; Jn 6:51; 57-58; Acts 20:7; 1Cor 10:17; 11:27
Source of divine life	Jn 6:27; 33; 50; 51; 58; 1Cor 11:30
Jesus is Bread of Life	Jn 6:35; 41; 48; 51
This is my body this is my blood	Mt 26:26-27; Mk 14:22;24; Lk 22:19-20; 1 Cor 10:24-25
Serious consequences of sinning against the body and blood	1 Cor 11:26-30
Long discourse on Eucharist	Jn 6:32-58

Sacrament of the Sick

Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. - James 5:14

Oil used in anointing of sick	Mk 6:13; Jas 5:14
Received with prayer of faith	Jas 5:15
In the name of the Lord	Jas 5:14
Also forgives sins	Jas 5:15
Restores person to health	Mk 6:13; Jas 5:15

Holy Orders

Duties and functions of OT priests	Deut 33:7-11
Melchizedek priesthood superior to Aaronic priesthood	Heb 7:1-17; 8:1-13
Melchizedek a type of Christ	Ps 110:4; Heb 5:6; 10; 6:20
Perfect priesthood of Christ	Heb 3:1-4; 7:27; 8:4-6; 9:12-14; 25; 10:5
Calling of apostles	Mt 10:1; 16:16-19; Lk 6:13; 22:32; Jn 21:15-17
Consecration of apostles	Jn 20:22
Sending of apostles	Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15; Lk 24:47; Jn 20:21
Transmission of priesthood	1Tim 4:14; 5:22; 2Tim 1:6; Tit 1:5
Functions of priests	Mal 1:11; Mt 28:19; Jn 20:23; 1Cor 11:24; Jas 5:14
Degrees of authority	1Cor 12:28; Eph 4:11; 1Thess 5:12; Jas 3:1
Priesthood of believers	Eph 2:19-20; 1Pet 2:5; 9
Pray for priestly vocations	Mt 9:37-38; Lk 10:2
Priesthood in New Testament times	Rom 15:16

Marriage

Ordained by God	Gen 1:28; 2:18; Tobit 8:5-7; Mt 19:6
Marriage likened to Christ and his Church	Eph 5:21-23
Two in one flesh	Gen 2:23-24; Mt 19:3-6; Eph 5:31
Couples to respect each other	1Cor 7:4; Eph 5:21-25; 33; Col 3:18-19
Union is holy	1Cor 7:13-14; Eph 5:25-26
For procreation of children	Gen 1:28
Continence good for short periods	1Cor 7:1-5
Children a blessing from God	Gen 24:60; 30:1-3; Ps 127:3; 1Sam 1:6; Lk 1:25
Divorce not permitted	Mt 5:32; 19:9; Mk 10:2-12; Lk 16:18; 1Cor 7:10
Death dissolves marriage	Rom 7:2; 1Cor 7:39
Celibacy a higher calling	Mt 19:12; 1Cor 7:8, 25, 38

Annulment or Divorce?

One of the most common misunderstandings about Catholic teaching is the difference between an annulment and a divorce. Often people say an annulment is just a Catholic divorce -- nothing could be further from the truth. To Catholics there is no divorce (ref Mt 5:32; 19:9, Mk 10:2-12, Lk 16:18, 1Cor 7:10). An annulment is a statement by the Church that a sacramental marriage has never taken place.

Take for example someone who is forced into a marriage. The Church would say that is not a Christian marriage. Civil law is exactly the same. A shotgun wedding is not a Christian marriage.

For Christians there are other reasons for granting an annulment. The Church has always taught that a marriage should be open to children. If a couple gets married but has no plans for children, then the Church might rule that marriage is not sacramental and is in fact null. (Be careful not to read this to mean you must have children to have a valid marriage -- you must only be open to children.)

An annulment is a statement by the Church that a sacramental marriage did not occur. A divorce is a statement by a civil authority that a marriage is dissolved.

Holy Scriptures

Scriptures inspired by God	Acts 1:16; Rom 1:2; 2Tim 3:16; 1Pet 1:10; 2 Pet 1:21
Called the Word of God	1Thess 2:13; Heb 4 12
Called a two-edged sword	Ps 149:6; Heb 4:12; Rev 1:16
Some things hard to understand	2Pet 3:16
Have need of an interpreter	Acts 8:30-31; 2Pet 3:16
Purpose and uses of Holy Scriptures	Rom 15-4; 16:26; 1Cor 10:11; 2Tim 3:15-17
No Scripture subject to private interpretation	2 Pet 1:20-21
Learned from childhood	Deut 6:7; 11:19; 31:12-13; 2Tim 3:15
Not everything Jesus did and taught is recorded in Scriptures.	John 21:25
Blessed for believing the Word of God	Lk 11:28; Rev 22:7

Apostles

Apostles are those who are sent	Mt 28:19; Mk 6:7; 16:15; Lk 24:47; Jn 4:38; 17:18; 20:21
Called by Christ	Mt 10:2-4; Mk 3:13-19; Lk 6:12-16; Acts 1:13
Holy Spirit poured out on apostles	Acts 1:8; 2:3-4
Apostles are witnesses to Christ	Lk 24:48; Jn 15:27; Acts 1:8; 21-22; 2:32; 3:15; 4:33; 5:32; 10:39; 13:31; 22:15
Apostles shall judge the world	Mt 19:28; Lk 22:30; 1Cor 6:2; Rev 20:4
Church built on apostles	Mt 16:18; Eph 2:20; Rev 21:14
Primacy given to Peter	Mt 16:18; Lk 22:31-32; Jn 1:42; 21:15-17
Paul called to be an apostle	Acts 9:15; Rom 1:1; 1Cor 9:1; 15:8-10; 2Cor 5:20; Gal 1:15; 17
Paul apostle of Gentiles	Acts 9:15; 22:15; Rom 11:13; Gal 2:8; 1Tim 2:7
Functions of apostles	Acts 2:42; 4:35; 6:2; 15:6; 1Cor 3:9; 4:1; 11:23; 15:1; 2Cor 5:20; 6:1