Chapter 27) THE CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH

1. We believe and profess one catholic or universal church,¹ which is a holy congregation and assembly² of the true Christian believers, who expect their entire salvation in Jesus Christ,³ are washed by His blood, and are sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit.⁴ This church has existed from the beginning of the world and will be to the end, for Christ is an eternal King who cannot be without subjects.⁵ This holy church is preserved by God against the fury of the whole world,⁶ although for a while it may look very small and as extinct in the eyes of man.⁷ Thus during the perilous reign of Ahab, the Lord kept for Himself seven thousand persons who had not bowed their knees to Baal.

1. Gen 22:18; Isa 19:6; Eph 2:17-19
2. Psalm 111:1; John 10:14, John 10:16; Eph 4:3-6; Heb 12:22-23
3. Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21
4. Eph 1:13; Eph 4:30
5. 2 Sam 7:16; Psalm 89:36; Psalm 110:4; Mat 28:18-20; Luke 1:32
6. Psalm 46:5; Mat 16:18
7. Isa 1:9; 1 Pet 3:20; Rev 11:7

2. Moreover, this holy church is not confined or limited to one particular place or to certain persons, but is spread and dispersed throughout the entire world.9⁸ However, it is joined and united with heart and will, in one and the same Spirit, by the power of faith.⁹

8. Mat 23:8; John 4:21-23; Rom 10:12-13
9. Psalm 119:63; Acts 4:32; Eph 4:4