Article 28 is concerned with our duty to join ourselves to the church. The Roman Catholic church claimed that the church saved people-and therefore we must belong to be saved. The Reformed church that out of the church there is no salvation. There is a difference in teaching here. The church, we believe, does not save people, still God uses the church to bring unto salvation. The church is not a society either which we may join or leave as we will-but it is Christ’s body. In this union with the church there can be carried out such activities as mission work and training of ministers. In the church, we can mutually encourage and help each other.
The duties of church members are (1) to maintain the unity of the church, (2) bowing under the yoke of Christ, (3) submitting to the doctrine of the church, (4) submitting to the discipline of the church, and (5) serving to edify the brethren.
The office of believers is set forth: each is prophet, priest, and king in Christ. These are to be faithful in their office though all men be opposed to them.
Article 29 points out the marks of the true church. These marks are: (1) the pure doctrine of the gospel must be preached, (2) pure administration of the sacraments, and (3) church discipline exercised. These marks serve a three-fold purpose: (1) a test to determine possible degree of co-operation with other churches; (2) a test to determine to which church I must belong; (3) an ideal for every church to strive for.
There are also marks of the true believer: (1) their faith; (2) their godly lives. These are not perfect (there “remain great infirmities”), yet they strive after holiness.
The false church has marks also: (1) ascribes more authority to herself than to the Word; (2) does not administer the sacraments as appointed by Christ; (3) persecutes the children of God.
QUESTIONS:
1. Find names given to the church in the following texts:
a. Song of Solomon 6:4
b. Ephesians 5:32?
c. John 10:1
d. II Corinthians 3:10?
e. Isaiah 5:1
f. I Corinthians 3:9
2. Is it proper to say that one “joins the church” when he makes confession of faith? Explain.
3. How does a church differ from other organizations?
4. What is the calling of the church in the area of missions?
5. Why should a denomination have its own Theological School?
6. (Art. 29) What sects could be named today? What is a sect?
7. Must we say that one church is true (ours), and all others false? Explain.
8. How must we explain the existence of many denominations?
9. Does not John 17:21 mean that all churches ought to be united into one?