“We believe and profess, one catholic or universal church, …”
1. This article speaks of the church as an object of faith:
a. It is not the church as we see her in the world, for then she appears divided, separated, often unholy and apostate.
b. But the church as we believe she is and always will be in the world and in heaven:
1) one and undivided over the whole world.
2) universal, catholic.
3) an holy congregation.
2. We must remember the following:
a. That the church is essentially the body of Christ, and that He is the Head of the church, both organically and judicially:
1) She is not a mere society, congregated through an external bond by the will of men. She is an organism, gathered by the power of grace and united by the Spirit of Christ. 2) Hence, she is also one whole, from which none can be removed and to which none can be added.
3) She is an organic whole, in which each part and member occupies his own place.
b. That the members of this church as an object of faith are the elect of God:
1) They are chosen in Christ.
2) They are gathered by the Son of God through the Word in time.
3) They are washed, sanctified, and sealed as an holy congregation.
4) To these belong the seed of the covenant according to God’s promise.
c. That of this one church there are various parts:
1) Part of it is in heaven, triumphant.
2) Part of it is on the earth, militant because of the powers of darkness that threaten her.
3) Part of it must still be born, for the church shall be to the end of the world.
d. That this church on earth manifests itself in confession and walk of the members and through her institute:
1) Hence, we speak of the church visible, as she becomes manifest, the congregation of believers and their children.
2) Of the church invisible, the church from the aspect of her spiritual life and union with Christ.
3. Of this church the article asserts:
a. That she is one and universal, catholic. Though she becomes manifest in the world as divided and separated for many reasons, such as distance, race, language, and even difference in church polity and creed, yet essentially the whole church is one body, united by one faith and one and the same Spirit.
b. That this church is holy:
1) She is holy in Christ.
2) She is holy by virtue of the principle of regeneration and sanctification.
c. That she always is, has been, and shall be: no separation of Israel and the church, as the Chiliasts will have it.
d. That Jesus is the King of the church. Also this is denied by the Chiliasts, who make the Lord King of the Jews only, while He is the Head of the church.
e. That this church has a hard battle, but always has the victory:
1) She may appear very small sometimes.
2) The Lord preserves His church in the old dispensation, today, and even unto the end of the world.