Author’s Introduction•Church is in history but transcends history•Put on the eyes of faith•To see the visible and spiritual reality•The Church is a sacrament

▫Sign of God’s presence and means to union with him

•Divine origin and mission is incarnated in the midst of ordinary human events

•Guided by the Holy Spirit through success and failures

Section 1The Church in the Early Christian Centuries

Section 1,Part 1The Origin of the Church

Introduction• The Church was a part of God’s plan before human history• Gradually revealed throughout salvation history

▫ Scriptures are the earliest testament OT covenants and prophets prepared for the coming of the Messiah NT Incarnation fulfilled the Father’s plan and promises Church takes shape as the instrument of the New Covenant Apostles, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, respond to Jesus’ call

• Three articles▫ (A. 1) From the Father’s Heart▫ (A. 2) Sent by the Holy Spirit▫ (A. 3) After Pentecost

A. 1: From the Father’s Heart• Church is an eternal plan of the Father in good times & bad

▫ Revealed by the prophet Jeremiah to God’s exiled people• The OT covenants reveal that God is committed to his plan despite his people’s failures—original sin

▫ Adam & Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, judges, kings, & prophets• God’s providence sustains the peoples hope through natural means

▫ King Cyrus of Persia• Lack of central leadership led to legalism—hope dimmed under Rome• NT brings the fullness and God’s new covenant & plan of redemption• Jesus established the Church through the gift of himself which

fulfilled the OT covenants—words and deeds esp. the Eucharist & Paschal Mystery (head)

• Jesus structured the Church through the gifts of the Apostles & Sacraments (7)

• The Church is led by the Holy Spirit & Mary▫ Mary is Mother of the Church & us because she is Mother of Christ, the

bridegroom; she is free of sin & full of race; she is the first disciple

Dr. Scott Hahn: The Church in the OT

• A Father Who Keeps His Promises, Part 1

• Individual Assignment

• 1) Key to understanding the OT• 2) Contrast covenant and

contract• 3) How many covenants• 4) Will there be any more• 5) What connects Gn. and Rev.• 6) Why does law increase in the

OT• 7) 3 key elements of the Bible• 8) Human history is like what• 9) Another difference between covenant and contract• 10) Explain “a covenant has conditions but is unconditional”

Homework

•Read A. 2

•Review questions 1.1; 1-3 and 7

A. 2: Sent by the Holy Spirit• The Holy Trinity is the central mystery of our faith• The Holy Spirit has been an intimate part of the Father’s plan from the beginning participating in every activity of the Trinity

▫ Creation▫ Redemption

Incarnation Baptism & desert preparation Public ministry & establishment of the Church

▫ The Life of the Church Pentecost—prepared the early disciples with Mary

Jewish roots of the feast• The Holy Spirit and his charisms continue to guide the Church as it did in the beginning; gifts and fruits as well

▫ What charisms have you been gifted with; how can you use them• The Holy Spirit leads us to accepting Jesus as our Savior daily

Sm.Group Discussion1. Describe three times the HS is foreshadowed in the OT.2. Do the same but

for the NT.3. Name a charism

or two you have been given.

4. How can you use this charism to build up the Church?

Homework

•Read A. 3

•Review question 1.1; 4

A. 3: After Pentecost• How did the Pentecost event change Jesus’ disciples

▫ How did Peter invite others to change• What truths did Pentecost confirm

▫ Define Messiah• In what sense is Pentecost a new beginning for the Church• What is the connection between the Ascension of Jesus & Pentecost

▫ Define “great commissioning” • Distinction between followers & apostles

▫ Define apostle▫ What is apostolic succession; why is it essential to Church history

• How did ordinary followers of Jesus live▫ How did they come to be known as the Way & eventually Christians

• Why is Pentecost essential to Church History in light of the apostles & apostolic succession

▫ Has the Church always lived up to Pentecost▫ Did the early Church; do we; why or why not▫ How can we live up to Pentecost

Small Group Assignment

•Read Acts 2•Discuss the following questions:

▫What happens in the chapter?▫What is the interpretation of the various

events of the chapter▫How are the disciples changed?▫How are others changed?▫What does Pentecost mean for me here and

now•Share fruits of your discussion with the

class

Homework

•Review questions 1.1; 5-6

•Study for the Section 1, Part 1 Quiz (AA. 1-3)

•Make sure the Section 1, Part 1 Homework (1-7) is ready to turn in