Catechism Part VI: A Supplementary Instruction.

 A Supplementary Instruction

Questions and Answers which may be studied with the Church Catechism in the preparation of candidates for Confirmation or at other times.

Question.    What is the Church?
Answer.    The family of God, the body of Christ, and the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Question.    What do we say about the Church in the Nicene Creed?
Answer.    I believe One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

Question.    Why is it called One?
Answer.    Because it has one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.

Question.    Why is it called Holy?
Answer.    Because the Holy Spirit dwells in it, sanctifying all its members and endowing them with gifts of grace.

Question.    Why is it called Catholic?
Answer.    Because it is universal, and holds for all time, in all countries, and for all people, the whole truth as it is in Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and for ever.

Question.    Why is it called Apostolic?
Answer.    Because it received its divine mission from Christ through his Apostles, and continues in their doctrine and fellowship.

Question.    What is the work of the Church in the world?
Answer.    The work of the Church in the world is to offer to God on behalf of all men the worship which is his due; to make known to all men the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and to unite all men to God in one family.

Question.    How did our Lord provide for the life and work of the Church?
Answer.    Our Lord sent his Holy Spirit upon the Church and upon his Apostles.

Question.    What authority did Christ give to his Apostles in the Church?
Answer.    He gave them authority to preach the Word, to minister the Sacraments, to rule and care for his household the Church until his coming again.

Question.    What Orders of Ministers have been in the Church from the Apostles’ time?
Answer.    Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

Question.    What is the work of a Bishop in the Church of God?
Answer.    To be a chief pastor of the flock, to preach the Gospel, to guard well the Faith, to bless, to confirm, and to ordain, following the example of the blessed Apostles.

Question.    What is the work of a Presbyter or Priest?
Answer.    To minister to the people committed to his care by the Bishop; to lead them in the worship of God and to preach his Word; to baptize; to celebrate the holy Communion; and to pronounce Absolution and Blessing in God’s name.

Question.    What is the work of a Deacon?
Answer.    To assist the Bishop or Priest in the Divine Service, and in other ministrations to the people of God.

Question.    What is your work as a lay member of the Church of God?
Answer.    To take my part in its worship, labours, and councils, according to the gifts of grace that God has given me, and to pray, work, and give for the spread of his kingdom.

Question.    Why ought you to read God’s holy Word, the Bible?
Answer.    Because it tells how God has made himself known to man; and how we may come to know him, and find salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of his Church.

Question.    What does the Church teach about the Bible?
Answer.    The Bible records the Word of God as it was given to Israel, and to his Church, at sundry times and in divers manners; and nothing may be taught in the Church as necessary to man’s salvation unless it be concluded or proved therefrom.

Question.    Where then is the Word of God to be found in all its fulness?
Answer.    In Jesus Christ, his only Son, who was made man for us and for our salvation.

Question.    What is the vocation of a Christian in this world?
Answer.    To follow Christ and bear witness to him; to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life.

Every Christian man or woman should from time to time frame for himself a RULE OF LIFE in accordance with the precepts of the Gospel and the faith and order of the Church; wherein he may consider the following:
The regularity of his attendance at public worship and especially at the holy Communion.
The practice of private prayer, Bible-reading, and self-discipline.
Bringing the teaching and example of Christ into his everyday life.
The boldness of his spoken witness to his faith in Christ.
His personal service to the Church and the community.
The offering of money according to his means for the support of the work of the Church at home and overseas.

Supplementary but still important. I feel like maybe it should be called "Miscellaneous Important Information" or somesuch. I mean, not only does this define the Church, it delineates the roles of bishops, priests, deacons, and laypeople. It also makes clear that we need to read the Bible. 

And this ending part about framing yourself a Rule of Life, this is a thing I revisit from time to time and I am of the opinion that it is a vital part of spiritual formation and should be taught and facilitated among all believers.

I've been doing some more reading and stuff lately. I'll share some thoughts about what I've been reading sometime soon, I expect. And, of course, there are the 39 Articles to dive into next. So keep an eye out for my next post, which should be interesting, regardless of where I take it.

Peace & Blessings.