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Roman Catholic AnswerThe Church was foreshadowed in the Old Covenant, the Old Testament, in Israel. It was born from the side of Jesus Christ, as He hung dead on the cross, in the water and blood that flowed from His side. It was then announced to the world at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended from Heaven to bolster and guide the new Church.

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)

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