Study Reformed

25.1. Of the Church

The catholic or universal Church which is 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.

Proof texts

Eph. 1:10, 22, 23 — [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. [22] And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Eph. 5:23, 27, 32 — [23] For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. [27] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. [32] This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
Col. 1:18 — [18] And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Eph. 1:10, 22, 23 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WLC Q62 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WLC Q63 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WLC Q62 · WLC Q63 · WLC Q64 · HC Q54 · HC Q55 · HC Q83 · HC Q84 · HC Q85 · BC 7.1 · BC 7.4 · BC 7.5 · BC 7.6

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): These Sections teach that there is also a catholic or universal visible Church, consisting of those of every nation who profess the true religion, together with their children. This proposition involves — (1.) The truth that the true Church, consisting of persons, a part of whom are always living, and, with more or less faithfulness, bringing forth visible fruits of holiness on the earth, of course is itself always in part, and with greater or less clearness, visible. The universal visible Church is therefore not a diiferent Church from that which has just been described as invisible. It is the same body, as its successive generations pass in their order and are imperfectly discriminated from the rest of mankind by…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): The Greek word Ecclesia, which we render Church, is derived from a word which signifies to call out, and denotes an assembly called out and convened for any particular purpose. In democratic states it was applied to the assemblies of the people, who were called out by a public herald, and gathered into a certain place, in order to deliberate together. To specify the various meanings which this word bears in the New Testament is at present unnecessary; it is sufficient for our purpose to remark, that the term is used to denote an assembly or society of men, called by the gospel out of the world which lieth in wickedness, into the faith and fellowship of Jesus Christ. But…

25.2. Of the Church

The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the Gospel (not confined to one nation as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion; and of their children: and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.

Proof texts

1 Cor. 1:2 — [2] To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
1 Cor. 12:12, 13 — [12] For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
Ps. 2:8 — [8] Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.
Rev. 7:9 — [9] After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
Rom. 15:9, 10, 11, 12 — [9] and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” [10] And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” [11] And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” [12] And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”
1 Cor. 7:14 — [14] For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
Acts 2:39 — [39] For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
Ezek. 16:20, 21 — [20] And you took your sons and your daughters, whom you had borne to me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Were your whorings so small a matter [21] that you slaughtered my children and delivered them up as an offering by fire to them?
Rom. 11:16 — [16] If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
Gen. 3:15 — [15] I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
Gen. 17:7 — [7] And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.
Matt. 13:47 — [47] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.
Isa. 9:7 — [7] Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Eph. 2:19 — [19] So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
Eph. 3:15 — [15] from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
Acts 2:47 — [47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

For discussion

The Assembly cited 1 Cor. 1:2 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
16 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WLC Q62 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WLC Q63 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WLC Q62 · WLC Q63 · BC 7.1 · HC Q54 · HC Q55 · BC 7.4 · BC 7.5 · BC 7.6 · HC Q83 · HC Q84 · HC Q85 · 1689 26.1 · SD 26.1 · IAR 7.1 · SC60 6.1 · SC60 6.2 · SC60 6.3 · SC60 6.4 · SC60 6.5 · SHC 6.1 · SHC 6.2

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): These Sections teach that there is also a catholic or universal visible Church, consisting of those of every nation who profess the true religion, together with their children. This proposition involves — (1.) The truth that the true Church, consisting of persons, a part of whom are always living, and, with more or less faithfulness, bringing forth visible fruits of holiness on the earth, of course is itself always in part, and with greater or less clearness, visible. The universal visible Church is therefore not a diiferent Church from that which has just been described as invisible. It is the same body, as its successive generations pass in their order and are imperfectly discriminated from the rest of mankind by…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): The Greek word Ecclesia, which we render Church, is derived from a word which signifies to call out, and denotes an assembly called out and convened for any particular purpose. In democratic states it was applied to the assemblies of the people, who were called out by a public herald, and gathered into a certain place, in order to deliberate together. To specify the various meanings which this word bears in the New Testament is at present unnecessary; it is sufficient for our purpose to remark, that the term is used to denote an assembly or society of men, called by the gospel out of the world which lieth in wickedness, into the faith and fellowship of Jesus Christ. But…

25.3. Of the Church

Unto this catholic visible Church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world: and doth by His own presence and Spirit, according to His promise, make them effectual thereunto.

Proof texts

1 Cor. 12:28 — [28] And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
Eph. 4:11, 12, 13 — [11] And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
Matt. 28:19, 20 — [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Isa. 59:21 — [21] “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,” says the LORD, “from this time forth and forevermore.”

For discussion

The Assembly cited 1 Cor. 12:28 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
4 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WLC Q63 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WLC Q64 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WLC Q63 · WLC Q64 · BC 7.1 · HC Q54 · HC Q55 · BC 7.4 · BC 7.5 · BC 7.6 · HC Q83 · HC Q84 · HC Q85 · 1689 26.1 · SD 26.1 · IAR 7.1 · SC60 6.1 · SC60 6.2 · SC60 6.3 · SC60 6.4 · SC60 6.5 · SHC 6.1 · SHC 6.2

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): These Sections teach that there is also a catholic or universal visible Church, consisting of those of every nation who profess the true religion, together with their children. This proposition involves — (1.) The truth that the true Church, consisting of persons, a part of whom are always living, and, with more or less faithfulness, bringing forth visible fruits of holiness on the earth, of course is itself always in part, and with greater or less clearness, visible. The universal visible Church is therefore not a diiferent Church from that which has just been described as invisible. It is the same body, as its successive generations pass in their order and are imperfectly discriminated from the rest of mankind by…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): The Greek word Ecclesia, which we render Church, is derived from a word which signifies to call out, and denotes an assembly called out and convened for any particular purpose. In democratic states it was applied to the assemblies of the people, who were called out by a public herald, and gathered into a certain place, in order to deliberate together. To specify the various meanings which this word bears in the New Testament is at present unnecessary; it is sufficient for our purpose to remark, that the term is used to denote an assembly or society of men, called by the gospel out of the world which lieth in wickedness, into the faith and fellowship of Jesus Christ. But…

25.4. Of the Church

This catholic Church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less visible. And particular Churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the Gospel is taught and embraced, ordinances administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them.

Proof texts

Rom. 11:3, 4 — [3] “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” [4] But what is God's reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
Rev. 12:6, 14 — [6] and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days. [14] But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.
Rev. 2, 3
1 Cor. 5:6, 7 — [6] Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? [7] Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Rom. 11:3, 4 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
4 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WLC Q64 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
BC 7.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WLC Q64 · BC 7.1 · HC Q54 · HC Q55 · BC 7.4 · BC 7.5 · BC 7.6 · HC Q83 · HC Q84 · HC Q85 · 1689 26.1 · SD 26.1 · IAR 7.1 · SC60 6.1 · SC60 6.2 · SC60 6.3 · SC60 6.4 · SC60 6.5 · SHC 6.1 · SHC 6.2

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): Section IV. — ^This catholic Church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less visible.® And particular churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the gospel is taught and embraced, ordinaroes administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them.® Section V. — The purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error ;^" and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan." Nevertheless, there shall be always a Church on earth, to worship God according to his will.^^ Section VI. — There is no other head of the Church but the •^^ord Jesus Christ :^' nor can the Pope of Rome in…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): 1. The catholic Church has been sometimes more, sometim-es less visible. It has been already shown that the Church, as to its external state, is visible, and it will afterwards appear that the Church shall never perish. But though the visible Church always exists in some part of the world, it is not always equally flourishing and equally conspicuous. As the moon waxes and wanes, so the Church sometimes shines forth with splendour, and at other times is so obscured as to be scarcely discernible. It may be so reduced iu numbers, and the few that remain faithful may be so scattered, or compelled to hide themselves, through the violence of persecution, that the most discerning Christian shall scarcely perceive…

25.5. Of the Church

The purest Churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error: and some have so degenerated, as to become no Churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan. Nevertheless, there shall be always a Church on earth, to worship God according to His will.

Proof texts

1 Cor. 13:12 — [12] For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Rev. 2, 3
Matt. 13:24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 47 — [24] He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, [25] but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. [26] So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. [27] And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ [28] He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ [29] But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. [30] Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’” [47] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.
Rev. 18:2 — [2] And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.
Rom. 11:18, 19, 20, 21, 22 — [18] do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. [19] Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” [20] That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. [21] For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. [22] Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
Matt. 16:18 — [18] And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Ps. 72:17 — [17] May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!
Ps. 102:28 — [28] The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.
Matt. 28:19, 20 — [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

For discussion

The Assembly cited 1 Cor. 13:12 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
9 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WLC Q63 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WLC Q64 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WLC Q63 · WLC Q64 · WLC Q65 · BC 7.1 · HC Q54 · HC Q55 · BC 7.4 · BC 7.5 · BC 7.6 · HC Q83 · HC Q84 · HC Q85 · 1689 26.1 · SD 26.1 · IAR 7.1 · SC60 6.1 · SC60 6.2 · SC60 6.3 · SC60 6.4 · SC60 6.5 · SHC 6.1 · SHC 6.2

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): Section IV. — ^This catholic Church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less visible.® And particular churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the gospel is taught and embraced, ordinaroes administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them.® Section V. — The purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error ;^" and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan." Nevertheless, there shall be always a Church on earth, to worship God according to his will.^^ Section VI. — There is no other head of the Church but the •^^ord Jesus Christ :^' nor can the Pope of Rome in…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): This section is levelled against the doctrine of the Church of Rome, respecting works of supererogation. That Church teaches, that besides those precepts which are binding on all, and which none can disobey without sin, there are " counsels of perfection" given in the New Testament, which men are at hberty to neglect if they please; and, therefore, those who comply with these counsels, perform more than they are bound to do, and have, consequently, a superfluous degree of merit, that may be transferred to others for their benefit. In the progress of the corruptions of that Church, it was taught and believed, that the whole stocli of superfluous merit, arising out of the good works of those who comply…

25.6. Of the Church

There is no other head of the Church, but the Lord Jesus Christ; nor can the Pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself, in the Church, against Christ and all that is called God.

Proof texts

Col. 1:18 — [18] And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Eph. 1:22 — [22] And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
Matt. 23:8, 9, 10 — [8] But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. [9] And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. [10] Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.
2 Thess. 2:3, 4, 8, 9 — [3] Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, [4] who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. [8] And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. [9] The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,
Rev. 13:6 — [6] It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Col. 1:18 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
5 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WLC Q64 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
BC 7.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WLC Q64 · BC 7.1 · HC Q54 · HC Q55 · BC 7.4 · BC 7.5 · BC 7.6 · HC Q83 · HC Q84 · HC Q85 · 1689 26.1 · SD 26.1 · IAR 7.1 · SC60 6.1 · SC60 6.2 · SC60 6.3 · SC60 6.4 · SC60 6.5 · SHC 6.1 · SHC 6.2

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): Section IV. — ^This catholic Church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less visible.® And particular churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the gospel is taught and embraced, ordinaroes administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them.® Section V. — The purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error ;^" and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan." Nevertheless, there shall be always a Church on earth, to worship God according to his will.^^ Section VI. — There is no other head of the Church but the •^^ord Jesus Christ :^' nor can the Pope of Rome in…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): That the Lord Jesus Christ is the alone head of the Church must be maintained, not only in opposition to Papists, who affirm that the Pope of Rome* as the successor of Peter and 268 CONFESSION OF FAITH. [^CHAP. XXV. the vicegerent of Christ, is the head of the universal Church; but also in opposition to Erastians, who make the supreme magistrate the head of the Church within his own dominions. A universal headship or dominion belongs to Christ. As God, he has a natural and essential right to rule and dispose of all creatures at his pleasure, and for the manifestation of his own glory. As INIediator, he has a universal headship by donation from the Father. It is…