(note: This node is 25th in a series of 33 nodes. for the entire series, please see the metanode
Westminster Confession of Faith.)
CHAPTER 25 - Of the Church
I. 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 fullness of Him that filleth all in all.
II. 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, together with their
children; and is the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ; the house and family of God, through which men are ordinarily saved and union with which is essential to their best growth and service.
III. Unto this catholic and
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.
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,
ordinances administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them.
V. The purest Churches under heaven are subject both to
mixture and
error: and some have so degenerated as to become apparently no
Churches of Christ. Nevertheless, there shall be always a Church on earth, to worship God according to his will.
VI. 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.
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Westminster Confession of Faith - Chapter 24 | on to
Westminster Confession of Faith - Chapter 26