Churches (Matt. xvi. 18). 'There shall be one fold and one shepherd' (John x. 16). And the Apostles call the Church the body of Christ (1 Cor. xii. 27, and elsewhere). Now, Christ has only one body; therefore He has also established only one Church.
28. Is it easy to recognize this one Church established by Christ?
Yes; for Christ has established a visible Church with perceptible marks, so that it is easy to find her;1 otherwise He could not have commanded us, under pain of eternal damnation, to apply to the Church, and to hear her.2
1' Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house' (Matt. v. 15). 2'If thy brother shall offend against thee, go and tell the Church; and if he will not hear the Church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican' (Matt, xviii. 17).
29. How is the Church of Christ visible?
The Church of Christ is visible, 1. In her superiors and members; 2. In her doctrine; and 3. In the Sacrifice of the Mass, and in the administration of the Sacraments.
If the Church were not visible in this manner, how would it then be possible, according to the direction of Christ and the Apostles (Hebr. xiii. 17; Mark xvi. 15, 16, and elsewhere), to 'obey the Prelates' (Bishops and Priests) of the Church, to hear her Teachers, to participate in her Sacrifice and Sacraments, or, in general, in her Divine Service?
30. By what marks may the true Church of Christ be known?
The true Church of Christ may be known by these four marks: 1. She is One; 2. She is Holy; 3. She is Catholic; and 4. She is Apostolic.
As early as a.d. 325 it was pronounced in the Nicene Creed: 'I believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.'
31. Why must the true Church of Christ be One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic?
She must be, 1. One, because no kingdom can stand 'that is divided against itself' (Luke xi. 17); 3. Holy,
