A. Introduction.
1. This article begins a lengthy discussion of that part of dogmatics which is commonly known as Ecclesiology. It extends through Article 36.
2. It is important to note that the doctrine of the church is also an article of faith. This article also emphasizes the fact that we do not discuss the church from the point of view of her life in the world-this would lead to all kinds of erroneous conclusions; but we discuss the church as she is described in Scripture, and as therefore an object of faith. We cannot see the church; we believe one catholic or universal church.
B. In harmony with this, the article discusses the church from its ideal viewpoint first of all, i.e., as it appears in the counsel of God, and as it will finally be perfected in glory.
1. As such the church has certain attributes which are mentioned in the article.
a. The church is one. Although she appears in the world as separated by space, time, the barriers of nationality and language, and as divided by differences of creed and confession, yet she is actually one in Christ. “She is joined and united with heart and will, by the power of faith, in one and the same Spirit.” This unity has its deepest principle in Jesus Christ her Head Who is the principle of her life, Who is the mind and the will of the church.
2. Her catholicity or universality. The Roman Catholic church claims to be alone catholic in the true sense of the word, but this is not true. The true body of Christ is alone truly catholic. Although for a time, the church was limited almost exclusively to the nation of the Jews, on Pentacost it burst through these national boundaries and became universal in the true sense of the word.
a. This catholicity is accomplished through the universal preaching of the gospel.
b. The purpose of the catholicity of the church is twofold:
1) On the one hand it is the means of accomplishing the pluriformity of the church.
2) On the other hand, it is the means of saving the human race. This is not to say that all men are saved, but the church is the true human race, and this church is therefore saved from every tribe and tongue.
3. Her holiness.
a. As the church appears on earth it is far from holy. This is due to the fact that there are yet in the church wicked men, a carnal element that will never be completely taken out in this life; and because the saints themselves are not yet perfect. Much sin cleaves to them, and their holiness is only a small principle.
b. Nevertheless, as the church is an object of faith, she is holy. She expects all her salvation in Jesus Christ, “Being washed by his blood, sanctified and sealed by the Holy Ghost.”
C. Various distinctions have been adopted in describing this church of Jesus Christ.
1. The church is spoken of as being an organism and an institute.
a. When the church is spoken of as an organism, it is emphasized that this church is the living body of Christ, receiving its life out of Christ and composing the body of which He is the Head.
b. The institute of the church is the church from the viewpoint of the ministry of the Word in her midst and the administration of the sacraments, with the special offices of elder and deacon. It is this institute of the church which comes to manifestation in time in local congregations.
2. The church is often divided between:
a. The church militant-the church here on earth which has not yet attained to its victory, but is called to fight the battle of faith in the midst of the world marching in the armies of Jesus Christ and under the flying banners of the cross. Yet even the church militant has already the victory, for faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
b. Triumphant-the church which is now in glory. For this church the battle is over, the noise and fury of the battle has ceased; these saints have exchanged their weapons for a wreath of victory and a palm of peace; they rest from their works and toil, for they rest in the bosom of their God. Yet even for them the final battle has not yet been won. For their victory is not complete until the church is completely saved and until their bodies also are raised from death, and until their blood has been avenged on all their enemies.
c. Latent-the church which is not yet born. As history progresses, the church latent becomes smaller and smaller, while the church triumphant grows steadily with the departing of each saint.
3. Sometimes the distinction is made between the church visible and invisible.
a. The church invisible is the church from the point of view of its inward spiritual life of grace and the blessings of Jesus Christ.
b. The church visible is the church considered from the point of view of the visible walk of her members in the world as they manifest in all their lives the kingdom of heaven to which they belong and as they live their lives in the shadow of the cross.
D. The article also makes mention of the fact that this church has been from the very beginning of time.
1. This is overagainst the error of chiliasm and dispensationalism. The church was born in Paradise, not on the day of Pentacost. God gathers his church in the line of continued generations from the beginning to the end of time. It is true that in the Old Dispensation the church was limited almost exclusively to the Jews. But even then there were exceptions, and all the prophets spoke of another time coming when the church would be universal.
2. This is proved by the fact, the article states, that Christ is an eternal King, which, without subjects, cannot be. Evidently the argument of the article is that Christ as an eternal King is the only King of all His people. Another King there is not. And therefore all the people of God are one church under the sovereign rule of Jesus Christ. Especially as that rule becomes manifest in time, there was never a moment in the world’s history when Christ was without His subjects.
E. And finally the article speaks of the fact that this church is preserved by God.
1. She may appear very small at times as during the perilous reign of Ahab when seemingly the church had perished, But even then the Lord preserved an elect remnant, a holy 7000, who had not bowed the knee to Baal. The church is always a remnant, a hut in a cucumber patch, a force not to be considered in comparison with the thousands of the world.
2. The church always has a hard battle. The devil, the world, and her own flesh are always attacking her. She need not dream of world conquest, for she is ever a besieged city, and always will be.
3. For the believer it means that he must separate himself from this present evil world, live as a stranger and pilgrim here below, fight an unceasing battle against all the foes that beset him, seek only that city which is above, which hath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God.