When was the Christian Church created?

Answer 1

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Catholic AnswerThe Christian Church was created by Our Blessed Lord around 30 A.D. when He founded it upon the Apostle Peter as His first Vicar (see St. Matthew 16:17-19). The Church was then born from the side of Christ as He hung dead on the cross and His side was pierced by the soldier's lance. It was then shown to the world fifty-three days later on Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Blessed Virgin and the Apostles, gathered in the Upper Room.

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from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994

The Church-instituted by Christ Jesus

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It was the Son's task to accomplish the Father's plan of salvation in the fullness of time. Its accomplishment was the reason for his being sent. (Cf. Lumen Gentium 3; Ad gentes 3) "The Lord Jesus inaugurated his Church by preaching the Good News, that is, the coming of the Reign of God, promised over the ages in the scriptures." (Lumen Gentium 5) to fulfill the Father's will, Christ ushered in the Kingdom of heaven on earth. The Church "is the Reign of Christ already present in mystery." (Lumen Gentium 3)

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The Church is born primarily of Christ's total self-giving for our salvation, anticipated in the institution of the Eucharist and fulfilled on the cross. "The origin and growth of the Church are symbolized by the blood and water which flowed from the open side of the crucified Jesus." (Lumen Gentium 3, cf. Jn19:34) "For it was from the side of Christ as he slept the sleep of death upon the cross that there came forth the 'wondrous sacrament of the whole Church.'" (Sacrosanctum concilium 5). As Eve was formed from the sleeping Adam's side, so the Church was born from the pierced heart of Christ hanging dead on the cross. (Cf. St. Ambrose, In Luc. 2, 85-89; J.P. Migne, ed., Patrologia Latina {Paris: 1841-1855} 1666-1668)

The Church - revealed by the Holy Spirit

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"When the work which the Father gave the Son do on earth was accomplished, the Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost in order that he might continually sanctify the Church." (Lumen Gentium 4; cf. Jn 17:4) Then "the Church was openly displayed to the crowds and the spread of the Gospel among the nations, through preaching, was begun." (Ad gentes 4) As the "convocation" of all men for salvation, the Church in her very nature is missionary, send by Christ to all the nations to make disciples of them. (Cf. Mt 28:19-20; Ad gentes 2; 5-6)