THE CHURCH
ONE - HOLY - CATHOLIC - APOSTOLIC
Unity rooted in the Trinity
The Four Marks of the Catholic Church
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WHAT DOES THE WORD "CHURCH" MEAN?
by Joe Higgins - 21 March 2025
When we say, “Church”, we can be talking about many different things – we might be talking about a building, a group of people, a spiritual idea, or even a charitable institution.
But have you ever wondered what the word Church really means? To answer this, we must turn to the Greek word, Ecclesia, which is the basis of the modern term.
Origins and Meaning:
Ecclesia comes from the Greek verb ek-kaleo, meaning “to call out.”
In ancient Greece, an ecclesia was an assembly of citizens summoned to deliberate on important matters.
This secular meaning transformed within Christianity, as the Apostles and early Christians adopted Ecclesia to describe the gathering of the faithful – those “called out” from the world to belong to Christ.
In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, Ecclesia was used to translate the Hebrew qahal, meaning the assembly of God’s people.
So when Christ tells Peter in Matthew 16:18, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church (Ecclesia),” He is not referring to a building, or an institution, but to the living body of believers gathered in His name.
The Church as the Mystical Body:
Through the centuries, the word ecclesia has deepened in meaning.
It does not refer simply to a congregation or place of worship but to the universal body of Christ’s faithful.
St Paul describes the Ecclesia as the “Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27), emphasising its unity in faith and mission.
The Second Vatican Council reaffirmed this understanding, teaching the Ecclesia is both visible and spiritual, a communion of the faithful united with Christ as its head.
A Call to Belong:
To be part of the Ecclesia means to be “called out” of isolation into communion, from darkness into light.
It is an invitation to participate in the life of Christ, His sacraments, and His mission of salvation.
As Catholics, when we speak of the Ecclesia, we are not speaking merely of an institution but of a family – God’s family – stretching across time and space, bound together in faith, hope, and love.
When we say, “Church”, we can be talking about many different things – we might be talking about a building, a group of people, a spiritual idea, or even a charitable institution.
But have you ever wondered what the word Church really means? To answer this, we must turn to the Greek word, Ecclesia, which is the basis of the modern term.
Origins and Meaning:
Ecclesia comes from the Greek verb ek-kaleo, meaning “to call out.”
In ancient Greece, an ecclesia was an assembly of citizens summoned to deliberate on important matters.
This secular meaning transformed within Christianity, as the Apostles and early Christians adopted Ecclesia to describe the gathering of the faithful – those “called out” from the world to belong to Christ.
In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, Ecclesia was used to translate the Hebrew qahal, meaning the assembly of God’s people.
So when Christ tells Peter in Matthew 16:18, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church (Ecclesia),” He is not referring to a building, or an institution, but to the living body of believers gathered in His name.
The Church as the Mystical Body:
Through the centuries, the word ecclesia has deepened in meaning.
It does not refer simply to a congregation or place of worship but to the universal body of Christ’s faithful.
St Paul describes the Ecclesia as the “Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27), emphasising its unity in faith and mission.
The Second Vatican Council reaffirmed this understanding, teaching the Ecclesia is both visible and spiritual, a communion of the faithful united with Christ as its head.
A Call to Belong:
To be part of the Ecclesia means to be “called out” of isolation into communion, from darkness into light.
It is an invitation to participate in the life of Christ, His sacraments, and His mission of salvation.
As Catholics, when we speak of the Ecclesia, we are not speaking merely of an institution but of a family – God’s family – stretching across time and space, bound together in faith, hope, and love.
WHEN DID THE CHURCH BEGIN?
The concept of "church" began when God first called his people together.
Call of Abraham Gen 12:1-3
The LORD said to Abram: Go forth from your land, your relatives, and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will find blessing in you."
God did not call His people to an assembly, under their own initiative, or even by leaders, but to be led by God Himself. He called His people to be holy and blameless, to be the highest example of faith to an unbelieving world. By requesting Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, God was foreshadowing the sacrifice of His only begotten son in reparation for the sins of the whole world for all times.
The Old Testament "covenant in blood" (Genesis 15) that God made with the patriarchs is renewed in the New Covenant sacrifice of the Mass.
Call of Abraham Gen 12:1-3
The LORD said to Abram: Go forth from your land, your relatives, and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will find blessing in you."
God did not call His people to an assembly, under their own initiative, or even by leaders, but to be led by God Himself. He called His people to be holy and blameless, to be the highest example of faith to an unbelieving world. By requesting Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, God was foreshadowing the sacrifice of His only begotten son in reparation for the sins of the whole world for all times.
The Old Testament "covenant in blood" (Genesis 15) that God made with the patriarchs is renewed in the New Covenant sacrifice of the Mass.
THE TWELVE TRIBES
The 12 tribes of Israel, descending from Jacob’s sons, formed God’s chosen people in the Old Testament—a physical nation promised land, protection, and priesthood. They foreshadowed the 12 Apostles, whom Jesus chose to establish the Church as the new Israel under the spiritual covenant. Just as the tribes represented God’s covenant community, the Apostles became the foundation of the renewed holy nation, with Peter as the rock, spreading the Gospel to all peoples.
Israel was governed by judges, kings, and inspired prophets/priests, culminating in the dynasty of King David. Despite conquests by Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans, the people longed for an Anointed One, a Messiah and Christ, to restore the priesthood and kingship.
Jesus Fulfills This Hope
What was true of physical Israel (land, manna, enemies overcome, priesthood by genealogy/animal sacrifice) becomes spiritually true of the Church. God’s holy nation under the new covenant:
- 12 Apostles parallel the 12 tribes.
- Peter leads a “people peculiarly His own.”
- Priesthood is no longer genealogical or sacrificial but eternal just like Melchizedek, Hebrews/Psalm 110, offering bread and wine transubstantiated into the body and blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, as a complete sacrifice.
Jesus’ primary mission was not writing books or philosophy but establishing a new Israel—a chosen people to preach the good news by living sacramentally and apostolically.
The 12 tribes of Israel, descending from Jacob’s sons, formed God’s chosen people in the Old Testament—a physical nation promised land, protection, and priesthood. They foreshadowed the 12 Apostles, whom Jesus chose to establish the Church as the new Israel under the spiritual covenant. Just as the tribes represented God’s covenant community, the Apostles became the foundation of the renewed holy nation, with Peter as the rock, spreading the Gospel to all peoples.
Israel was governed by judges, kings, and inspired prophets/priests, culminating in the dynasty of King David. Despite conquests by Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans, the people longed for an Anointed One, a Messiah and Christ, to restore the priesthood and kingship.
Jesus Fulfills This Hope
What was true of physical Israel (land, manna, enemies overcome, priesthood by genealogy/animal sacrifice) becomes spiritually true of the Church. God’s holy nation under the new covenant:
- 12 Apostles parallel the 12 tribes.
- Peter leads a “people peculiarly His own.”
- Priesthood is no longer genealogical or sacrificial but eternal just like Melchizedek, Hebrews/Psalm 110, offering bread and wine transubstantiated into the body and blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, as a complete sacrifice.
Jesus’ primary mission was not writing books or philosophy but establishing a new Israel—a chosen people to preach the good news by living sacramentally and apostolically.
WHO IS IN THE CHURCH?
The Church Militant:
When we say Church Militant, we are referring to the community of baptized souls who are actively participating in overcoming sin and in participating in the living prayer of the Church, the Liturgy.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 836 "All men are called to this catholic unity of the People of God.... and to it, in different ways, belong or are ordered: the Catholic faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all mankind, called by God's grace to salvation."
"I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."
In these trinitarian words of baptism, a soul becomes a member of the Church. Even if a soul is baptized in a Christian denomination other than Catholic, the baptism is valid.
When we say Church Militant, we are referring to the community of baptized souls who are actively participating in overcoming sin and in participating in the living prayer of the Church, the Liturgy.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 836 "All men are called to this catholic unity of the People of God.... and to it, in different ways, belong or are ordered: the Catholic faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all mankind, called by God's grace to salvation."
"I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."
In these trinitarian words of baptism, a soul becomes a member of the Church. Even if a soul is baptized in a Christian denomination other than Catholic, the baptism is valid.
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Members of the Church Militant:
Laity, Lay person, Married State
These are men or women who live in the world. Because of the nature of their vocation, they have an active participation in the workings of their communal society. They are a physical reflection of the Trinity and their sacramental vocation causes them to bring forth new members of the Church. They are called to be salt to the world, a light to all nations, and a leaven of faith to unbelievers.
These are men or women who live in the world. Because of the nature of their vocation, they have an active participation in the workings of their communal society. They are a physical reflection of the Trinity and their sacramental vocation causes them to bring forth new members of the Church. They are called to be salt to the world, a light to all nations, and a leaven of faith to unbelievers.
Consecrated Religious Brother and Sisters, Monks and Nuns
These are men or women who have taken a vow of chastity for the sake of the kingdom of God. They have consecrated their lives to praying and laboring in such a way that they are set apart from lay persons and the common world. They may also take vows of poverty and obedience. Because of the nature of their vocation, they have a more intimate participation in the workings of their communal society which is focused on prayer and sacrifice in support of those called to the married life and those called to Holy Orders.
These are men or women who have taken a vow of chastity for the sake of the kingdom of God. They have consecrated their lives to praying and laboring in such a way that they are set apart from lay persons and the common world. They may also take vows of poverty and obedience. Because of the nature of their vocation, they have a more intimate participation in the workings of their communal society which is focused on prayer and sacrifice in support of those called to the married life and those called to Holy Orders.
Ordained Clergy, Deacons, Priests, Bishops, Pope
These are men who have been called to serve the people of God at the altar every day. Priests and Bishops have taken a vow of chastity for the sake of the kingdom of God. They have consecrated their lives to bringing the sacraments to the faithful people therefore nurturing the Body of Christ and preparing souls for the world to come. They are set apart from lay persons and consecrated religious by the education, formation, and anointing they receive to become "Persona Christi" enabling them to prepare the Bride of Christ for her bridegroom, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Because of the nature of their vocation, they have a more intimate participation in the workings of God leading His people to heaven.
These are men who have been called to serve the people of God at the altar every day. Priests and Bishops have taken a vow of chastity for the sake of the kingdom of God. They have consecrated their lives to bringing the sacraments to the faithful people therefore nurturing the Body of Christ and preparing souls for the world to come. They are set apart from lay persons and consecrated religious by the education, formation, and anointing they receive to become "Persona Christi" enabling them to prepare the Bride of Christ for her bridegroom, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Because of the nature of their vocation, they have a more intimate participation in the workings of God leading His people to heaven.
Churches in union with the Catholic Church:
EASTERN RITES: Syrian, Chaldean, Alexandrian (Egypt (Coptic), Ethiopia) Byzantine (Constantinople/ Istanbul), Armenian
WESTERN RITES: Roman, Ambrosian (Milan), Mozarabic (Spain), and also Braga Rite of Portugal - many Hispanic customs for weddings, baptisms, and holy week are derived from this rite. Gallican - France (Lyon) (once also in parts of Ireland) Roman/ Latin
EASTERN RITES: Syrian, Chaldean, Alexandrian (Egypt (Coptic), Ethiopia) Byzantine (Constantinople/ Istanbul), Armenian
WESTERN RITES: Roman, Ambrosian (Milan), Mozarabic (Spain), and also Braga Rite of Portugal - many Hispanic customs for weddings, baptisms, and holy week are derived from this rite. Gallican - France (Lyon) (once also in parts of Ireland) Roman/ Latin
The Church Suffering:
When our time on earth is over, we face judgement. If we have been very good and have NO SIN on our soul, we get to enter heaven and become part of the Church Triumphant. However, if we have sins on our soul we must go through a purification process before we can enter heaven. This purification is known among Catholics as Purgatory. When a soul enters the state of purification they become part of the Church Suffering.
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The Church Triumphant:
The Church Triumphant is the saints in heaven; souls who have lived devoted to Jesus Christ, died free from sin, and have entered into heaven to join in God's glory.
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WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE CHURCH?
The great mission of the Church is to bring souls to God so that all may be in His presence forever. For this reason, the Church is often referred to as a ship, carrying souls through turbulent waters to the safe harbor of heaven. The Church is seen as a building, made of living stones (1 Peter:2), that can weather the storm and stand as a beacon of hope in the darkness. The Church is a vessel of salvation for the world as it sings out the universal call to holiness.
Each soul is called to participate in the great work of the church according to their state in life. Married persons beget children and strive to live a life that reflects the divine nature of love. Consecrated religious use their vocation to support the work of the church by their constant prayers and supplications. The ordained ministers of the church use the merits of their vocation to bring life giving grace to sanctify the world. When everything is ordered properly, grace flows freely among the members and gives glory to God.
Each soul is called to participate in the great work of the church according to their state in life. Married persons beget children and strive to live a life that reflects the divine nature of love. Consecrated religious use their vocation to support the work of the church by their constant prayers and supplications. The ordained ministers of the church use the merits of their vocation to bring life giving grace to sanctify the world. When everything is ordered properly, grace flows freely among the members and gives glory to God.
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The Church has a divine mandate to "go out into all the earth and preach the gospel to every creature..." (Matthew 28:16-20) This "going out and proclaiming the good news" is called kerygma. It is the initial gospel proclamation that brings souls to repentance and change of heart. But kerygma isn't enough. We need to build souls up from the initial point of conversion and instruct them in the ways of the Lord. This more extensive teaching on morals and doctrine is called didache, or catechesis. and prepares the soul to follow the narrow path of true Christian faith in which they will be called to be witnesses to the mercy shown to them and preach the good news of the gospel, thus perpetuating the kerygma/diache cycle.
-GO DEEPER-
Resource Links
Movie time (grab the popcorn)
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Thank you for taking our online version of this session.
We encourage you to spend time with us on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 pm in McMullan Hall.
We encourage you to spend time with us on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 pm in McMullan Hall.