Westminster Larger Catechism # 64-65
Commentary by Dr. Chuck Baynard
Q64. What is the invisible church?
Answer: The invisible church is the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or
shall be gathered into one under Christ as the head.
References: Eph. 1:10,22-23; John 10:16; John 11:52.
Q65. What special benefits do the members of the invisible church enjoy by Christ?
Answer: The members of the invisible church by Christ enjoy union and communion with
him in grace and glory.
References: John 17:21; Eph. 2:5-6; John 17:24.
No in disagreement with the Divines, but, I don’t think there is anything a member
of the invisible church enjoys that is not true for the elect in the visible church. The
two are the same in this respect, in that the elect are members of the invisible church,
and if in obedience to Scripture are in the visible church while pilgrims on earth.
The definition of the invisible church (Q64) uses the term "whole number" and
then refers to past, present, and future saints as being in that number. This is the true
church and transcends all manmade or geographical boundaries. It will not know perfection
(completion) until that great and glorious day when our Lord returns and gathers the
church to Himself as the bride.
We began addressing this dichotomy of visible/invisible church in question 62. While
the two are needed for our understanding, and there is a practical purpose for the visible
church the true church of Christ needs no such distinction. I would that as men we could
lay aside our differences and dwell together as befits God’s children. Alas that
doesn’t seem possible as we watch saint after saint pull away from one body or
another claiming biblical grounds for doing so. Often even the elect cannot distinguish
the one holding closer to the truth and another sister denomination is born. This is
because of the flesh, and is not of God in my opinion. Christ said I will build my church,
and I find no way to stretch the original language to make church plural in this passage
(Mt. 16:18). Thus as we consider the invisible church, perhaps we should give
consideration to all of the division man has brought to the body. When sowing strife among
the brethren is listed as one of the things God hates, perhaps we would do well to
question those seeking even another denomination rather than award them a higher place
among men for their efforts. Division among the brethren is not good, no matter how we
rationalize the biblical necessity of such. That Christ did not tear down the temple and
build anew, or separate from the Jews, but rather chased the money changers from the
temple comes to mind as I study these questions and the related Scripture.
Peter Wagner speaking at a conference in Charlotte, NC a few years ago said we were
entering into the "Post Denominational" age. I don’t remember much more of
that three day conference, but that was the first time I had heard that term and it
bothered me greatly, though I am a more avid proponent of church union than most. Somehow
doing away with denominational distinctions did not seem to be the way to bring about more
godliness in the church. The idea of "seeker friendly" and "cell
churches" also seemed to be born about this same time, or at least came to my
attention. Suddenly I found that evangelical was the new buzz word of the day, and almost
any teaching could be tolerated in the name of evangelism. I may be historically
incorrect, but in my mind this also seems to have been the time that
"reconstructionism" and "theonomy" though not new reached a zenith as
the way to restore the church. All of these movements continue today, and each points to
the Scriptures as the authority for their existence. Some one is wrong! I would that the
spiritual discernment were present to distinguish the true church from this man made
mixture. It doesn’t in my opinion and once more I refer you to the wheat and tares. I
believe such a situation as this is what Paul was referring to however when he said for us
to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phlp. 2:12).
This working out our own salvation is possible because of the union and communion
mentioned in question 65. I believe we will find heaven occupied with believers from many
denominations, and though some of our reformed forefathers, and current ones might declare
different, salvation is of the Lord and once we get past the theology of it all, the elect
will populate heave, the "whole number." In the flesh, we are going to have
these differences, and while we should work to live at peace within the family, I
don’t think we will reconcile all our differences until Christ returns to sort it all
out for us. For the most part, bad theology will result in doubt and misery now, not have
an eternal effect. I have searched the scriptures, read the works of the great theologians
of our past and reached the conclusion our beloved Reformed faith and its precious TULIP
are the way the doctrines are laid out in Scripture. For those who differ, they are still
brothers in Christ and I will spend my life gently pointing to God’s truth, knowing
that the Holy Spirit will do the rest in His time. The key here is gently, our enemies
hear nothing we say. We separate from the ways of the world, not human souls seeking truth
and light. God’s elect occupy some strange places for children of the King! God has
so chosen for men to be involved in His process of making His grace manifest, how shall
they hear if none are sent (Romans 10:13ff)? Somewhere in this admixture that has become
the church visible we must learn to co-exist and be about the work of the King (Dan.
8:27).
Dr. Chuck Baynard July 1998
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