In this message we look at the fifth ‘Essential Of Our Faith’ which centers on the doctrine of the Church:
The true Church is composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit are united together in the body of Christ. The Church finds her visible yet imperfect expression in local congregations where the Word of God is preached in its purity and the sacraments are administered in their integrity, where scriptural discipline is practiced, and where loving fellowship is maintained. For her perfecting she awaits the return of her Lord.
This ‘essential’ both defines the nature of the church and also describes the ‘marks’ of the true Church: where the Word of God is preached in its purity, where the sacraments are administered in their integrity, where scriptural discipline is practiced, and where loving fellowship is maintained.
Some important points of application for us include, first, that the Church is Christ’s body, not ours. Second, that the Church makes the Kingdom of God visible. And finally, that the Church exists for God’s glory and our good.
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