Apologeticae sive Theologiae Fundamentalis, Tomus II (Pars Altera): Demonstratio Catholica

1. Christ conferred His mission upon the Church by saying to the apostles as rulers of the Church: "As the Father has sent me, I also send you."¹ But Christ's mission was directed to the work of redemption, that is, the Christian religion. Therefore the mission of the Church also regards the Christian religion — not indeed as to be instituted (since Christ alone instituted it), but as to be conserved and applied.

2. Christ handed over His power to the Church by saying to the apostles as rulers of the Church: "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 Spirit: 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."² But Christ's power was directed to those things by which the work of redemption, that is, the Christian religion, is constituted. Therefore the Church is also called to the same end. Indeed:

3. Christ gave the Church His offices of teaching the faith, of sanctifying, and of governing men in the way of salvation. The office of teaching the faith: "Preach the gospel to every creature: he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."³ The office of sanctifying, that is, of administering the sacraments: "…baptizing them";⁴ "whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them"⁵ The office of governing the faithful: "He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me. But he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me."⁶

"Feed my lambs, feed my sheep."⁷ But by this threefold office the work of redemption is made perpetual, that is, the Christian religion is conserved and applied. Therefore the conservation and application of the Christian religion is the end of the Church.