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Inner Life of a Catholic

The Profession of Faith 

This division of nations then becomes at one cosmic, social and religious with the intent of limiting the pride of unity attempted by the Babel experience. This covenant remained in force with such notable figures as the king-priest Melchisidek, a precussor figure of Christ, Noah, Daniel and Job, reaching heights of sanctity by living according to the covenant of Noah. They were peoples of different nations, Gentiles, and were in God's plan to 'gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad' through Christ.

The first stage of God's 'gathering together' started with Abram when He called him from his country and declared him to be Abraham, 'the father of a multitude of nations'. "In you all the nations of the earth shall be blessed". Abraham's decendents would hold the covenant in care based on the promise made to the patriarchs in preparation of the day when God would gather all His children into the unity of His Church. They were to become the root onto which the Gentiles would be grafted, once they came to believe.

The second covenant was given on Mount Sinai after He had freed His people from the slavery of Egypt. Moses was given the Laws of God in order for the people to recognise and serve God as the one true, living God, a provident father, a just judge. Isreal then became the priestly people, called in the name of God and the first to hear the Word of God. The prophets proclaimed a radical redemption for the People of God and the salvation for all the nations.

The poor and humble also heard and listened to this hope of redemption from Sarah, Rebecca, Rache, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Judith, Esther and culminating in Mary. Christ, the Son of God made man, is the Father's one, perfect and unsurpassable word. God's Revelation completed. The establishment of the final covenant forever. Christ, then, must be proclaimed to all nations and individuals, so that this revelation may reach the ends of the earth.

The Apostolic tradition was to be the framework for this declaration to the whole world. Christ was the teacher, commanding the apostles to preach the Gospel promised by the prophets throughout the Old Testament and fulfilled through Him. The Gospel was handed on both orally and in writing. The Apostles handed on Christ's teachings by their own example, by the institutions they established, by sharing Christ's life and His works, and by inspiration from the Holy Spirit. They also recorded these truths in writing, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Writings apart from those in the Bible, which although distinct from Holy Scripture, are called Tradition.

So that these truths of the living Gospel would live on the Apostles left bishops as their successors, giving them 'their own position of teaching authority'. Through the Apostolic Tradition 'the Church, in her doctrine, life and worship, perpetuates and transmits to every generation all that she herself is, all that she believes'. God's self-communication made through Hid Word in the Holy Spirit, remains present and active in the Church, Hi beloved Spouse. The Holy Spirit, through whom the living voice of the Gospel rings out in the Church - and through her in the world - leads believers to the full truth and makes the Word of God dweel in them in all its richness.

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