Religion Ch. 8By Grace O’Doherty

Christian Responsibility

At your Baptism you accepted the challenge to think, act, and speak as a follower of Christ You became responsible for being a worshiping, believing, and serving member of the churchAs a worshiping member you participate in the sacramentsAs a believing member you put your faith in JesusAnd as a serving member you give loving service to all God’s people

I Believe in the Apostolic Church

In our creed we state our belief in the apostolic (apostle) church

When we say she is apostolic we mean that she is rooted with the beliefs of the apostles and continues their mission

We also mean that church leadership goes back to Jesus, St. Peter, and the other apostles

Scripture and tradition show that Peter was head of the apostles

She has a special teaching authority (Magisterium)

First Leaders

After Pentecost the apostles set out teaching the gospels Jesus taught themTheir enthusiasm and courage inspired othersSoon more leaders were neededThrough the Holy Spirit others were called to leadership positions

Who’s in Charge Today?

Popes and Bishops continue the ministry of Peter and the apostlesThey adapt the message of Jesus to the modern ageThe Pope (Bishop of Rome) is chief leader of the churchthe whole world respects him as a spiritual leaderAll Bishops together form the College of BishopsTheir responsibilities require them to: teach, govern, and sanctify God’s people within their own diocese or territory

Service in Three Roles

Popes and Bishops have the responsibility in the church to be Priests, Prophets, and Servant-Kings

PRIESTS: the Popes and Bishops celebrate all the sacraments and lead the people through them

PROPHETS: they are official teachers in the church,

infallibility: when the pope proclaims a teaching solemnly and officially on faith or morals, he can not be wrong

SERVANT-KINGS: they speak with authority as Jesus did, they serve to us by caring for our spiritual needs, and they care about ALL people under any circumstances