If you pray or read the Nicene Creed, you will see the words ‘One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.’ These are the Marks of the Church or also known as the Attributes of the Church. Only the Catholic Church has it because it is the only one established by Christ. The truth is not flowing through the protestants who removed themselves from the Church. Let’s look into the significance of each mark.
The Catholic church is one because it is united having the same faith, sacrifice, and sacraments, the faith are united by one God who has three persons: the Holy Trinity. It also has one head which is our Lord Jesus Christ who built the church upon St. Peter the Apostle, the first Pope.
“Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. One body and one Spirit; as you are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all.“
[Ephesians 4:3-6]
“They shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.”
[John 10:16]
“That they all may be one, as thou, Father, in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
[John 17:21]
The church is Holy because it was established by our Lord Jesus Christ to continue His Sanctifying work. Being the Son of God the Father, one of the Holy Trinity and the Word that became man. As the Church is Holy, no one, not even the devil can destroy it. The church teaches us according to the will of God so we can live a pious life. However, the faithful is in constant battle for the wages of our sins. Striving to become Holy so we can enter Heaven and be with our Lord.
“And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors, For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
[Ephesians 4:11-12]
“And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven”
[Matthew 16:18-19]
“But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people: that you may declare his virtues, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light”
[1 Peter 2:9]
The word Catholic is from the Greek word “Katholikos” which means “Universal”. Christ is universally present in the Church and He commanded to teach all nations, His Gispel and convert them to Catholicism.
“if two of you shall consent upon earth, concerning any thing whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them by my Father who is in heaven. For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
[Matthew 18:19-20]
“Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit“
[Matthew 28:19]
The church is also apostolic as our Lord entrusted His authority to His Apostles that was led by the first Pope, St. Peter. The authority has been handed down to the disciples through the sacrament of Holy Orders which continued until this day. This is what we call Apostolic Tradition.
“Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone “
[Ephesians 2:20]
