Salvation and the Church - The Creed

The Catholic Church is considered to be a visible body which has both a human
component and a divine component. CCC 752 refers to the Church as being the
liturgical assembly, the local community and the universal community of believers – these
being the human element. It is a “society structured with hierarchical organs and the
Mystical Body of Christ”. (CCC771) As identified in this statement, the Church also has
a divine component which is its invisible union to Christ. CCC772 calls it the nuptial
union between the bridegroom Christ, and His bride the Church. Thus the Church is
seen to be a universal Sacrament of Salvation, just like the seven sacraments. The
Church’s purpose is to be the sacrament of the inner union of men with God and to also
be the sacrament of the unity of the human race (CCC774-775).

Christ came for the salvation of all mankind and He instituted the universal Church
Himself. Thus it can be said that the Church is Christ’s instrument which allows salvation
for all. The Old Testament often prophesises the coming of the Kingdom of God and that
a Messiah will come to bring salvation to all. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is
proclaimed to be this Messiah and He gives His Church a structure by selecting the
Twelve Apostles, with Peter as their head, representing the twelve tribes of Israel
(CCC765). By His example, He teaches them how to live and how to pray. He gives
them the power of the Holy Spirit to go to “the ends of the world” to preach the Good
News as well as to administer the sacraments to His followers. The Apostles were given
the ability to baptise in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as well as forgive sins
and transform bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. The invisible graces
bestowed on the receiver from these outward, visible sacraments allow for their ultimate
salvation. Therefore salvation can be achieved through the Church. St Clement of
Alexandria would put it: “Just as God’s will is creation and is called ‘the world,’ so His
intention is the salvation of men, and it is called ‘the Church.’” (CCC760)
“To reunite all His children, scattered and led astray by sin, the Father willed to call the
whole of humanity together into His Son’s Church. The Church is the place where
humanity must discover its unity and salvation.” The Church was seen by the Fathers of
the Church as equivalent to Noah’s ark, which alone saved from the flood. (CCC843)
Although this was the widely held view of the Fathers of the Church that “outside the
Church there is no salvation”, Vatican Council II stipulate that someone from outside the Church can be saved but only through Christ and His Church (CCC846). CCC847 clearly provides the explanation to this:

Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or His
Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by
grace, try in their actions to do His will as they know it through the dictates of their
conscience – those too may achieve eternal salvation.

In saying this, there is still a need to continue the missionary work of the Church. Christ
entrusted His disciples with the mission to “go therefore and make disciples of all
nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matt 28:19-20).
This mission is entrusted to all members of the Church including hierarchy, laity and
those living a consecrated life. As mentioned earlier, the Apostles were given power to
administer the sacraments instituted by Christ within the framework of His Mystical Body,
the Church. This power was passed down through time to all the Bishops since they
were the successors of the apostles. These bishops in turn guided by the Holy Spirit
appoint members to the Holy Orders, making them priests. These priests can administer
sacraments for the salvation of all members within the Church, thus providing its
members a means to salvation. By receiving the grace bestowed upon them through the
sacraments, they sanctify the Church and the Church sanctifies them. This is because
sin is seen to weaken the collective Church and not just the individual who commits it and
therefore any struggle against sin is a collective one.

There are many ways in which an individual can contribute to their salvation and the
universal salvation of the Church. They can be called to ecclesial ministry as a bishop,
priest or deacon. Others are called to engage themselves in the worship and sanctifying
in the Catholic faith. This includes attending Mass regularly, receiving the sacraments
accordingly and establishing Christ’s kingdom in themselves (CCC908). Some even take
on the challenge of evangelising the world by proclaiming Christ by their word and their
deeds. Still others chose to live a consecrated life such as religious orders, consecrated
virgins and widows, societies of apostolic life and various secular institutes. Such people
devote their life to the praise of God and pray for the salvation of the world.

In Conclusion it is clear that the Church plays a central role in the salvation of all of
mankind. Christ who is the bridegroom of the Church, said “I am the way, and the truth
and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) He instituted the
universal Church so that people may have union with His Father and ultimately salvation.