By conferring His own power upon the Apostles, and sending them forth everywhere, 1. To preach; 2. To baptize; and 3. To govern those who were baptized, under the supremacy of St. Peter.
Before Christ ascended into Heaven, He said to His Apostles: 'All power is given to me in Heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold, I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world' (Matt, xxviii. 18-20). And even previously to that He said to them: 'As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained' (John xx. 21, 23). 'Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in Heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in Heaven' (Matt, xviii. 18). 'He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me' (Luke x. 16, and elsewhere).
9. What do you call the threefold office which, together with His power, Christ conferred upon the Apostles?
The Teaching, the Priestly, and the Pastoral Office.
10. In what does this threefold office consist?
The Teaching Office consists in the full power to preach the Divine Doctrine, to condemn heresies, and to decide religious controversies.
The Priestly Office, in the full power to offer the Sacrifice of the Mass, to administer the Sacraments, to consecrate, and to bless.
The Pastoral Office, in the full power to rule the Church, consequently also to make laws and inflict punishments.
11. Why were the Apostles to exercise their office only under the supreme authority of St. Peter?
Because Christ, in order to maintain unity and union, appointed St. Peter to be His representative upon earth, and the visible Head of the whole Church.
12. But is not Christ Himself the Head of the Church?
