This entry is part of a series, wcf»
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Entries in this series:
- WCF Chapter XXXIII - Of the Last Judgment
- WCF Chapter XXXII - Of the State of Man After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead
- WCF Chapter XXXI - Of Synods and Councils
- WCF Chapter XXX - Of Church Censures
- WCF Chapter XXIX - Of the Lord’s Supper
- WCF Chapter XXVIII - Of Baptism
- WCF Chapter XXVII - Of the Sacraments
- Chapter XXVI - Of the Communion of the Saints
- WCF Chapter XXV - of the Church
- WCF Chapter XXIV - Of Marriage and Divorce
- WCF Chapter XXIII - Of the Civil Magistrate
- WCF Chapter XXII - Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
- WCF Chapter XXI - Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath-day
- WCF Chapter XX - Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience
- WCF Chapter XIX - Of the Law of God
- WCF Chapter XVII - Of The Perseverance of the Saints
- WCF Chapter XVI - Of Good Works
- WCF Chapter XV - Of Repentance Unto Life
- WCF Chapter XIV - Of Saving Faith
- WCF Chapter XIII - Of Sanctification
- WCF Chapter XII - Of Adoption
- WCF Chapter XI - Of Justification
- WCF Chapter X - Of Effectual Calling
- WCF Chapter IX - Of Free Will
- WCF Chapter VIII - Of Christ the Mediator
- WCF Chapter VII - Of God’s Covenant with Man
- WCF Chapter VI - Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof
- WCF Chapter V - Of Providence
- WCF Chapter IV - Of Creation
- WCF Chapter III - Of God’s Eternal Decree
- WCF Chapter II - Of God, and of the Holy Trinity
- WCF Chapter I - Of the Holy Scripture
- Confession: Introduction