What do you believe concerning the Holy Catholic Church?

I believe that from the beginning to the end of the world, and from among the whole human race, the Son of God, by His Spirit and His Word, gathers, protects, and preserves for Himself, in the unity of the true faith, a congregation chosen for eternal life. Moreover, I believe that I am and forever will remain a living member of it.

What do you understand by the Communion of the Saints?

First that believers one and all, as partakers of the Lord Christ, and all His treasures and gifts, shall share In one fellowship. Second, that each one ought to know that he Is obliged to use his gifts freely and with joy for the benefit and welfare of other members.

What do you believe concerning the forgiveness Of Sins?

That, for the sake of Christ's reconciling work, God will no more remember my sins or the sinfulness with which I have to struggle all my life long; but that He graciously imparts to me the righteousness of Christ so that I may never come Into condemnation.

I. Christ Gathers a People to Himself

A. The promise of a great world church was part of the revelation to Abraham. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee, for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; (Genesis 26:34)

B. The gathering of the promised people from among all nations is the work of Christ. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:9)

C. Christ, not some organizational official, is the head of the church. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)

D. The Bible is the means of God's administration in the church. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever. (Isaiah 59:21)

E. The world is headed into the Holy Catholic Church. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. (Acts 13:47-48)

F. There is only one genuine church by definition. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:3-6)

G. The Church is the product of Christ=s work. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27)

H. No one can prevent Christ from accomplishing His intention for the church. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28)

 

II. The Gathered Are One Community

A. Christ made only one kind of believer and only one church. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9)

B. The great differences in believers and organizations still fit into a single church. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

C. As there is only one way of salvation there is only one church. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bound or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

III. The Church Is the Community of Forgiveness

A. Through the work of Christ, people come back to a right relationship with God and then help others to return. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19)

B. People actually can be right with God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians  5:21)