Subject: Mat. 24:36 |
Bible Note: Dear Jeff, Another good question! :-) Article 9 states an affirmation of the belief "In One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church." I agree entirely with this statement! The word "catholic" means universal. The church is universal and invisible. It is founded on the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles. I don't think I could possibly improve on the clarity of the sum of the following explanations: "I believe that the Son of God, [1] out of the whole human race, [2] from the beginning of the world to its end, [3] gathers, defends, and preserves for Himself, [4] by His Spirit and Word, [5] in the unity of the true faith, [6] a church chosen to everlasting life. [7] And I believe that I am [8] and forever shall remain a living member of it. [9] "[1] John 10:11; Act 20:28; Eph 4:11-13; Col 1:18. [2] Gen 26:4; Rev 5:9. [3] Isa 59:21; 1 Cor 11:26. [4] Psalm 129:1-5; Mat 16:18; Joh 10:28-30. [5] Rom 1:16; 10:14-17; Eph 5:26. [6] Act 2:42-47; Eph 4:1-6. [7] Rom 8:29; Eph 1:3-14. [8] 1 John 3:14, 19-21. [9] Psa 23:6; John 10:27-28; 1 Cor 1:4-9; 1 Peter 1:3-5." --Heidelberg Catechism (question 54) "The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ, the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all. (Heb 12:23; Col 1:18; Eph 1:10, 22, 23; 5:23, 27, 32)" --1689 Baptist Confession of Faith (chapter 26, paragraph 1) In Him, Doc |