THE ONE TRUE CHURCH

X  I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. X I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, was Crucified, and Resurrected. X I believe in the Holy Spirit.              X I believe in the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.   X  I believe in the resurrection of the body.  X  I believe in life everlasting, Amen.

CC 10 …. Did St.Paul have in mind a ‘future’ for the Church ?

Yes, in fact, during his imprisonment, when he had practically lost all hope of regaining his freedom, or of living much longer, Paul wrote to Timothy to proceed with the appointment of other men, to whom he could transmit the same ministry which he (Timothy) had received from the Apostle.

“You, then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me, before many witnesses,  entrust to faithful men,  who will be able to teach others also.” (2Tim. 2: 1 – 2)

THE APOSTOLIC LINE OF SUCCESSION

So the links in  the chain / line of succession increase as the years roll on. It is an unbroken chain, which, beginning from the Apostles, personally chosen, authorized and sent by the Lord Jesus, must go on through their legitimate successors, “even till the end of time.” (Mt.28:20)

Why is this line of succession so important ?

The Apostolic Succession is essential to verify the authenticity of the preacher and his message.  Anyone who is outside this unbroken line, has evidently NOT received any mandate  from Christ Himself, to proclaim the Gospel (Mk. 3: 14). He would simply be  ‘self-appointed’, which bears, holds, NO VALUE and NO AUTHORITY.

Furthermore, he does not enjoy the assistance Jesus promised to those He Himself has chosen, assuring them of His presence “till the end of time” (Mt.28: 19 – 20; Mk. 16:15)

Listening to one outside the Apostolic Succession is listening to a mere man, and NOT to Christ.  The Master speaks through, and identifies Himself  ONLY with those whom He had personally chosen: “He who hears you, hears Me.” (Lk. 10: 16)                      /CC 11

Extracts by kind permission of  HG Mons. Sylvester Magro ofm, Apostolic Nuncio of Benghazi.

THE ONE TRUE CHURCH

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.                                                                                                                                                        I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, was Crucified,  and Resurrected.                                                                                                                                            I believe in the Holy Spirit.                                                                                                                     I believe in the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.                                                                                                                                                     I believe in the resurrection of the body.                                                                                             I believe in life everlasting,    Amen.

CC9 …. THE APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION  …. “Till the End of Time”
Some might ask: “For how long did Christ intend His Church to endure ?”
Well, let us refer to Christ’s words …and promise: “Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them, ‘In the Name of the Father, and of  The Son and of the Holy Spirit.’  And Lo! I am with you always ‘till the end of time’    (Mt. 28: 19 – 20; Mk.16: 15).

With that injunction, Christ clearly shows that HE intended His Church (the Mission of the Apostles) to last ‘till the end of time’.
He also assured the Apostles that He would be assisting them in fulfilling the mandate He had just given to them: “And Lo ! I am with you always.”

Whom did Christ entrust with the spreading of the Faith ?
Only the Apostles  received this direct and personal  mandate from the Lord. In most clear and solemn words He said to them: “As the Father sent Me, even so, I send you.”  (Jn.20: 21).   Therefore, only the Twelve were the qualified and authorized persons commissioned to spread the Good News.

The Apostles fully understood the will and the mind of the Master. In fact they were concerned  not only in spreading the Gospel throughout Palestine, but also to proclaim it throughout the then, known world.

How did the Apostles ensure the continuity of their mission ?
Since Christ intended the Church to last “till the end of time’ (Mt.28:20), the Apostles appointed Collaborators to help them fulfill the ‘mandate’  they had personally  received from the Lord, to discharge their mission after their death.

The Laying of the Hands
How did the Apostles commission their Collaborators ?
The Apostles commissioned their Collaborators through a clear, visible and definite sign, called “the laying (imposition) of the hands”.  By this sign, rite, action, the Apostles invested their Successors with the same authority,  which they had received from the Master.

Where do we find a reference to this “investiture”  ?

Reminding Timothy of his appointment, St.Paul says: “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given to you by prophetic utterance, when the elders laid their hands upon you.”  (1Tim. 4: 14)
Therefore, Timothy can be considered the first link, after Paul, of a long, uninterrupted chain, link, line, which is called “The Apostolic Succession”.    /CC10

Extracts by kind permission of  HG Mons. Sylvester Magro ofm, Apostolic Nuncio of Benghazi.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.                                                                                                                                                         I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, was Crucified,  and Resurrected.                                                                                                                                            I believe in the Holy Spirit.                                                                                                                          I believe in the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.                                                                                                                                                         I believe in the resurrection of the body.                                                                                           I believe in life everlasting,    Amen.

CC8 …. Did Bishops and Presbyters exercise the same role ?

At first it could seem that Bishops and Presbyters meant, indicated  those who were responsible for guiding the communities. As time went by, however, the Bishops assumed the direction of the local churches (Cfr. St.Paul’s Letters to Timothy and Titus).
In these letters, Paul also lays down precise norms for the selection of the deacons (1Tim. 3: 8 – 13).

Do we know any collaborators of the Apostles ?

1.    Timothy, of pagan origin, accompanied Paul on his second and third Missionary Journeys (Acts, 17:14).  Paul addressed two of his Letters to Timothy.  In the first one, the Apostle Paul, manifests his concern about those who were spreading false doctrines: “Remain at Ephesus, that you may charge certain persons, ‘not to teach any different doctrines’ (1Tim. 1:3)

2.    Titus: whom Paul calls “my true child in the common Faith” (Tit. 1:4). Besides other duties, Paul entrusts to him the Church in Crete:                        “I left you in Crete, that you might amend what was defective, and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.” (Tit. 1:5)

Titus, therefore, received from Paul his very mission not only of guarding the Faith, but also of appointing those who were to share and transmit the same mission.

IN BRIEF
•    The Apostles were concerned about entrusting the transmission of the Word of God and of presiding over communities, to trustworthy collaborators as their successors.
•    There appeared from the beginning the roles of Bishops and Presbyters (elders / priests).
•    The Presbyters guided as shepherds, they taught, they administered, and celebrated the Eucharist Sacrifice.
•    These Collaborators were also instructed by the Apostles to appoint those who were to share and to transmit the same mission. (Tit. 1:5)        /CC9

Extracts by kind permission of  HG Mons. Sylvester Magro ofm, Apostolic Nuncio of Benghazi.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.                                                I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, was Crucified,  and Resurrected.                                                                                                                                            I believe in the Holy Spirit.                                                                                                                     I believe in the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.                                                                                                                                                     I believe in the resurrection of the body.                                                                                             I believe in life everlasting,    Amen.

CC 7 …. P. Which apostolic roles were transmitted  to the successors ?
There are two aspects to be distinguished in the Mission of the Twelve: one is a)    Personal (hence not transmittable).                                                                         

The Apostles were the qualified eye-witnesses of the Resurrection of the Lord and the original source of His Revelation to mankind.
b)    the other aspect is Functional.                                            This could, and had to be transmitted to their successors in order to guarantee the life of the Church throughout the subsequent ages: the Mission:

1.    of proclaiming the Gospel;                                                                                    2.    of guiding the community;                                                                             3.    of sanctifying the faithful through the Sacraments.

Bishops and Presbyters
In the task of the Apostles, to ensure the transmission of their Ministry to future ages, there appeared from the beginning, bishops and presbyters (elders / priests).

What function did they fulfill in the Church ?
1.    The Bishops (in Greek “episkopein”), were in charge of tending the flock of God (1Pt. 5: 1 – 3); of presiding over the assemblies (Tim. 3:55; 17); of  proclaiming with full authority the Word of God (1Tim. 5:17).
2.    The Presbyters were the “elders”, called to administer the gifts received from Antioch (Acts 15:6,  21 – 28).

In the Churches, founded by Paul, the Presbyters presided as shepherds over the communities (Acts, 20: 28);
They administered (1Tim. 3: 1 – 7),
They taught (Acts 20: 28 – 32).
They also celebrated Liturgical Rites: the anointing of the sick (Jms. 5:14).  From most ancient documents we know that Presbyters presided “at the celebration of the “ Eucharistic Sacrifice”. (Clement of Rome - 1st Century…”Letter to the Corinthians”, 44,4).        /CC8


Extracts by kind permission of  HG Mons. Sylvester Magro ofm, Apostolic Nuncio of Benghazi.

THE ONE TRUE CHURCH OF CHRIST

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.                                                 I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, was Crucified,  and Resurrected.                                                                         I believe in the Holy     Spirit.                                                                                                                 I believe in the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.                                                                          I believe in the resurrection of the body.                                                                                             I believe in life everlasting,    Amen.

CC6 …. Which was the role of the Apostles ?
The Apostles taught and presided in the Community of Jerusalem (Acts, 2: 42 – 43). With great courage they bore witness  to the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus (Acts, 4:33). They spoke and worked miracles in the Name of Jesus (Acts, 5:12, and 5) Guided by the Holy Spirit, they decided in Council, practical norms for the converts *(Acts, 15: 2 – 22).

Although he declares that all Christians are members of the one Body of Christ, St.Paul points out the fundamental role of the Apostles: “Now, you are the Body of Christ, and individual members of it.  And God has appointed in the Church, first the Apostles…”

In Brief:
•    When Christ came to found His Church, He chose twelve men from among His many disciples. He called those he had chosen, Apostles. (Lk. 6:13)
•    As time went by, there developed between Christ and the Twelve, a most intimate relationship, which reached its highest expression during the Last Supper, which He celebrated exclusively with them. (Mt. 26:20)
•    After the Ascension of the Lord, it was from the living voice of the Apostles (not the Bible), that the first disciples received the Faith.  The New Testament had not yet been written.
•    Although the baptized form one body, yet it is the Apostles who occupy the central and fundamental role in the Church founded by Christ (1 Cor. 12: 27 – 28).

The Collaborators of the Apostles
The Apostles, from the very start, besides preaching the Word and presiding over the Communities , were concerned about the transmission of these roles to trustworthy disciples.
Now, a sensible question follows;

In what way was the transmission of roles ensured ?
The Apostles appointed qualified teachers and Guides, entrusting to them the continuation of their mission. In this manner, there began the long and unbroken chain of collaborators first, and of successors afterwards.

The mission of these successors was, to proclaim the Word, to guide the communities and to preside at the Eucharist.

This chain of successors has never been broken throughout twenty centuries. In this way,  there came to take place that specific note of the ONE and ONLY Church founded by Christ Himself: this is better known as THE APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION.    /Cc7
                         



Extracts by kind permission of  HG Mons. Sylvester Magro ofm, Apostolic Nuncio of Benghazi.

THE ONE TRUE CHURCH

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, was Crucified, and Resurrected. I believe in the Holy Spirit. I believe in the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I believe in the resurrection of the body. I believe in life everlasting, Amen.

CC5 …. What was the relationship between Christ and the Twelve ?
1. After choosing His Apostles, there developed a most particular relationship between them and the Lord. Significantly, Mark gives an idea of this relationship, saying: “He appointed the twelve to be with Him, and to be sent out to preach, and to have authority to cast out demons. (Mk. 3: 14 – 15).

2. To the twelve, Christ revealed the true nature of His Messianic Mission, that is, He would restore the Kingdom of God through His Suffering and Death, followed by the Resurrection (Mt.16: 21; 17:22)

3. The Last Supper, however, is the highest expression of the unique relationship between Christ and the Twelve. Jesus “earnestly desired” (Lk. 22:15) to celebrate the Pasch exclusively with them….”When it was evening, He sat at table with the Twelve Disciples.” (Mt.26: 20; Mk.14: 17; Lk.22: 14)

4. Although the Holy Spirit is “the Gift” given to all, yet, Christ promised to send Him to the Twelve in a particular manner.
“I will pray the Father and He will send you another Counsellor, to be with you, the Spirit of Truth….but the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance, all that I have said to you. (Jn. 14:16; 25, 26).

5. Although he appeared to many after the Resurrection, Luke informs us that he ascended into heaven, “……. after having given commandment through the Holy Spirit, to the Apostles He had chosen. To them he presented Himself alive, after His Passion, by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking about the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 1: 1 – 3). /CC6

Extracts by kind permission of HG Mons. Sylvester Magro ofm, Apostolic Nuncio of Benghazi.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.                                                                                                                                                        I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, was Crucified,  and Resurrected.                                                                                                                                            I believe in the Holy Spirit.                                                                                                                                                                                              I believe in the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.                                                                                                                                                     I believe in the resurrection of the body.                                                                                              I believe in life everlasting,    Amen.

CC4 …. The True church was founded by Christ on living men (= the apostles), who are the witnesses and messengers of the Bible.

How does St.John describe the true Church ?
In the Book of Revelations (21: 10 – 14), St.John gives a description of the Church of all time: the Church of yesterday, of today and of always. This Church leads, travels her pilgrims way down the centuries, through struggles and victories, heroism and betrayals, boldness and cowardice.
But this same Church is based on the foundation-rock of the Apostles.

So the true Church is Apostolic, founded on “the Apostles of the Lamb” (Rev, 21:14)

Let us recall what St.Augustine said (Epist. 105):                                                          “We learn about Christ in the Scriptures; we learn about the Church in the Scriptures.  If you accept Christ, why do you not accept the church ?”        

 Who founded the Apostolic Church ?
We cannot find anywhere in the Gospel , that the Lord Jesus showed concern to write, to record His teachings or to have them written by anybody at all.  We read, instead, that from the first days of His public ministry, Christ invited some men to follow Him as disciples (Jn.1: 37 – 42)

This group grew ever more numerous.  The disciples were indeed many                  (Lk. 6:17).
A particular day arrived.
Having spent the whole night in prayer with God the Father (Lk. 6:12) Christ began to choose twelve men from among His followers, whom he called “Apostles”. (Lk. 6: 13).
“The names of the twelve apostles are these: first Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector; James the son of Alphaeus and Thaddeus; Simon the Canaean, and Judas Iscariot (from Kerioth), who betrayed Him” (Mt.10: 2).    /CC5

These twelve men formed the special inner circle among the disciples of Christ. For as much as thirty four times, the Gospel makes regference to this particular inner-group of disciples, calling them simply “the twelve”.    CC5




Extracts by kind permission of  HG Mons. Sylvester Magro ofm, Apostolic Nuncio of Benghazi.

THE TRUE CHURCH

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, was Crucified, and Resurrected. I believe in the Holy Spirit. I believe in the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I believe in the resurrection of the body. I believe in life everlasting, Amen.
CC3 …. The Apostolic structure of the Church.

‘On which foundations is the true Church based ?’
The true Church is founded by Jesus Christ *** and as described by St. John, has an essentially apostolic foundation.
***There are many churches founded by mere men, like you and me, in opposition to the one founded personally by Jesus Christ, true man but true God, the Son of God.
Let us refresh our memory with a Text taken from Revelations (21, 10 – 14): “In the Spirit, he (the Angel), carried me to a great high mountain and showed me the Holy City of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God ….It has a high wall, with twelve gates…And the walls of the City had twelve foundations, and on them, the twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.”

An interesting Question would be:
‘Which is the basic identification mark of the true Church ?’
Bearing in mind that foundations are irreplaceable in any structure, it follows that the ‘function’ of the Apostles is essential for identification and stability of the true Church of Christ.
St. John could not have been more clear: ‘the true church founded by Christ MUST BE APOSTOLIC, that is, founded and based on the Apostles. Otherwise it would have been founded by mere men, and not by CHRIST.’

‘How does St.Paul describe the Church ?
St.Paul confirms the apostolic structure (foundation) of the Church by giving a concrete image. Appealing to believers in Christ, he says: “You are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself, being the CORNERSTONE.” (Eph.2, 19 – 20)

‘Should not the Church be based on the Bible ?’
The true Church of Christ is NOT established on the Bible (= the New Testament). The Church precedes the New Testament. Indeed, the Birth, Life, Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ are NOT based on the New Testament. Rather, the New Testament, like a History Book, is a record of the Life of Christ.
In like manner the New Testament (like a history book) contains a report about the Foundation of the Church. The Church was founded personally by Jesus Christ, many years before the New Testament started to be written.
Indeed no event takes its origin from a book. A book relates, reports, comments on something that had already happened. /CC4
Extracts by kind permission of HG Mons. Sylvester Magro ofm,

Apostolic Nuncio of Benghazi.

THE ONE, TRUE CHURCH

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.                   
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, was Crucified,  and Resurrected.                                       
I believe in the Holy Spirit.                                                                                                            
I believe in the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.                                                         
I believe in the resurrection of the body.                                                                               
I believe in life everlasting,    Amen.


CC 2 …. Biblical Images of the Church
Which images does the Bible use to describe the Church ?
In order to explain the mystery of the Church, Christ employed many images.  He compared the Church to a ‘flock’ or to a ‘fold’, guided, led by one shepherd (Jn. 10, 1 – 10).
Another time He calls her a ‘vine’ (Jn. 15, 5), or a ‘field’ (Mt. 13, 24 ff).                                                                                                                                                                                               St.Paul uses the image of the ‘household’  to emphasis the organic structure of the Church (Eph. 2, 19 – 22)
The Church is also called ‘the dwelling place of God with man’ (Rev. 21, 3),   ‘the Holy Temple of God’  (Eph. 2, 21),                                                                                         ‘the Holy City of God’ (Rev. 21, 2).   

 ‘How does St.John describe the true Church ?’

In the Book of revelations (21, 10 – 14), St.John gives a description of the Church of all time; the Church of yesterday, the Church of today and the Church  of always.  This church travels her pilgrims way down the centuries, through struggles, blood sheds and victories, heroism and betrayals, boldness and cowardice.
But, this same Church is based on the foundation – rock of the Apostles.
So the TRUE Church is APOSTOLIC: founded on the “Apostles of the Lamb” ((Rev. 21, 14)

IN BRIEF
•    The Church, which gathers all the children of god together, is born of God, it is the instrument of Christ for the salvation of mankind.

•    In order to explain the mystery of the Church, the Bible uses several images: “vine”, “household”, “flock”, “Body of Christ” etc.

•    The true Church is not founded on the Bible (New Testament).     The New Testament is a report, account about the foundation and life of the early Church.

•    It was Christ Himself who founded, personally, His Church on living men, the Apostles.  (Rev. 21, 14)

•    The Bible is the official record (like a history book) of the foundingand initial expansion of the Church.  The Church precedes the New Testament, as much as any event precedes its report in the papers or in books.

•    It is not the Bible which gives origin to the Church. Rather it is  Christ Himself who, building it on living men, made the Apostles the official witnesses and messengers of the Bible.    /CC3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Extracts taken from the Book, and by kind persmission of HG. Mons. Sylvester Magro ofm, Apostolic Nuncio of Benghazi.

THE TRUE CHURCH FOUNDED BY JESUS CHRIST

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.                                                                                                                                                         I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, was Crucified,  and Resurrected.                                                                                                                                             I believe in the Holy Spirit.                                                                                                                      I believe in the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.                                                                                                                                                      I believe in the resurrection of the body.                                                                                          
I believe in life everlasting,    Amen.

65/Catholic Church 1 ….THE TRUE CHURCH FOUNDED BY JESUS CHRIST

The Church is born of God

“CHRIST” is the head of the body, the CHURCH, (Col.1,18). Humanity is called and invited by God to gather around, His Son.  In this way,  Christ’s Body is formed from the multitude of believers, with Him as their Head” “for it has pleased the Father, to unite all things in Him.” (Eph.1, 4 – 5, 10)

The Church:  Sign and Instrument of the love of God.
The Church therefore comes from God, and as such she is the Sacrament            ( + sign and instrument) of Christ for the salvation of mankind.  The Church brings about:
a)     The intimate union of humanity with God, since it is the Body of Christ, the Head, (Col. 1, 18);  and
b)    The unity of the human race, since she gathers together “peoples from every nation, race, tribe and language.” (Rev. 7,9)

So the Church is the visible expression and sign  of the love of God for  humanity.  Its birth and growth are discerned symbolically in the Blood and Water which flowed from the side of Christ nailed to the Cross (Jn. 19, 34).  Indeed the Church, as the New Ark of Salvation, was born of the Heart of Jesus, the most eloquent symbol of the love of God for men.    /CC 2

 What does “church” mean, and denote ?
The word ‘church’ is derived from the Greek word ‘ekklesia’, it means “to convoke”, “to call together”.   “Church” indicates religious assembly, a congregation.

Among Christians, “ekklesia”  (church) came to denote the churches or local communities of believers.  The communities of Christians in Jerusalem and Antioch, were called “churches” (Acts 11, 22;  13,1).
“Church” has the same meaning for St.Paul who writes: “to the church of God which is in Corinth” (1Cor. 1,2;  2Cor. 1,1), and “to the church of Galatia”      (Gal. 1,2).

Furthermore, “ekklesia” (church) in the New Testament, denotes the whole body of the disciples of Christ.  In fact St.Pauls peaks of the whole church as being “the Body of Christ”  (Col. 1, 18).  In Ephesians the Apostle says that “Christ loved the ‘Church’ and gave up Himself for her (5,25).  In this same sense,  Christcalls ‘church’ the whole multitude of His disciples, who will have peter as their foundation-rock (Mt. 16, 16 – 18).


Extracts by kind permission of HG Mons. Sylvester Magro ofm, Bishop of Benghazi.

QUESTION ABOUT THE BIBLE

Merciful Father, as you have sent the Holy Spirit on Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, to write all that You wished and wanted, we pray You, send the same Holy Spirit on us, so that we may understand, appreciate Your Word, and make it our plan of life. This we ask for the merits of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

64 ….Are the versions of the Gospel, the original ones written by the Evangelists ?

As can be expected the versions of the Gospel that we have in hand today are copies of the Original. The originals, written by hand, by the Evangelists, are, unfortunately, lost. Many copies were made, from the originals, and, in no time, were distributed to wherever there were the Christian Communities.              Again from these copies, others copies were made along the time. Naturally, when copies are made, mistakes are expected to be made.

Now, how can we know that the original four versions of the Gospel are the faithful works, recordings of the Evangelists, and therefore agree with the copies made ?

When the copies are compared it is found that they are faithful, with very slight differences, but in substance agree with each other, therefore  they are faithful copies.  So we have to conclude that the copies we have in hand, nowadays, are in fact faithful copies, though with slight differences from the ones used by the early communities.

We have to note that, to the writings of the Evangelists, some small addendas were made…for example, the last Chapter of Saint John, which was the work of John’s disciples. Yet we have to bear in mind that this was done under the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit, during the Apostolic Age.

Should we expect to find in the Gospel the authentic, exact words, spoken by Jesus ?

No, we should not expect that the Evangelists did report this always and in every occasion. We understand this if we compare the discourses of Jesus as reported in John, with  the other three Evangelists, the Synoptists. The most important, thing, is that the teachings of Jesus remain  the same in the four versions.

This truth was declared by Saint Augustine, hundreds of years ago, when he wrote in his study, “De consensus Evangeliorum, II, 27s, ML 34, 1090s.”  This is what Augustine said: “The Evangelists could change the words of Jesus, add to it, leave out some of His words, change the construction of some sentences, if needs be, as long as the concept , the message, the spirit, does not change.”

An example of this is found if we compare Christ’s Discourse on the Beatitudes, as we find it in Matthew and in Luke. The same goes for words of the Consecration as found in Matthew (26: 26 – 29) and Mark (14: 22 – 25) with Luke (22: 15 – 20) and St.Paul (2Cor.2: 23 – 25).

The Theological Principle which explains why the Evangelists had this liberty, this license, is because  they were under the Inspiration  of the Holy Spirit, and, one of the missions of the Spirit was to inspire the Evangelists to understand, to comprehend better and proclaim in a character, in a form, in a style that suited best, their particular circumstances, the Teachings of Jesus.     /65