Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Profession of Faith 141 550 The coming of God’s kingdommeans the defeat of Satan’s: “If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” 277 Jesus’ exorcisms free some individu­ als from the domination of demons. They anticipate Jesus’ great victory over “the ruler of this world.” 278 The kingdom of God will be definitively established through Christ’s cross: “God reigned from the wood.” 279 “The keys of the kingdom” 551 From the beginning of his public life Jesus chose certain men, twelve in number, to be with him and to participate in his mission. 280 He gives the Twelve a share in his authority and “sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal.” 281 They remain associated for ever with Christ’s kingdom, for through them he directs the Church: As my Father appointed a kingdom for me, so do I appoint for you that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 282 552 Simon Peter holds the first place in the college of the Twelve; 283 Jesus entrusted a unique mission to him. Through a revelation from the Father, Peter had confessed: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Our Lord then declared to him: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” 284 Christ, the “living stone,” 285 thus assures his Church, built on Peter, of victory over the powers of death. Because of the faith he confessed Peter will remain the unshakeable rock of the Church. His mission will be to keep this faith from every lapse and to strengthen his brothers in it. 286 277 Mt 12:26, 28. 278 Jn 12:31; cf. Lk 8:26-39. 279 LH, Lent, Holy Week, Evening Prayer, Hymn Vexilla Regis: “ Regnavit a ligno Deus.” 280 Cf. Mk 3:13-19. 281 Lk 9:2. 282 Lk 22:29-30. 283 Cf. Mk 3:16; 9:2; Lk 24:34; 1 Cor 15:5. 284 Mt 16:18. 285 1 Pet 2:4. 286 Cf. Lk 22:32. 394 1673 440, 2816 858 765 880 153, 442 424