Knowing Christ’s Church
Sunday Seminary—13
Know What You Believe. Believe What You Know.
Our Sunday Seminary turns to 1 Corinthians 1:2 and 12:12–27:
To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ…For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ…Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Let’s focus on knowing Christ’s church. The church is not merely a building or an institution—it is the assembly of all believers, in all times and in all places, intimately connected to salvation, and recognizable in this life.
The Church is “Catholic”
The word “catholic” comes from the Greek katholikos, meaning “universal” or “general.” Ignatius of Antioch used it as early as AD 110, saying, “Wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.”
Article 27 of our Confession explains catholicity in three ways:
All believers: The church is the holy gathering of true Christians, sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit, baptized into one body, and called to be saints (1 Cor. 1:2; 12:12).
All believers in all times: The church has existed since creation and will last until Christ returns. God preserves his people against the world’s rage, even when the church appears small or threatened. The northern kingdom of Israel offers a biblical example: God preserved 7,000 faithful believers during Ahab’s idolatry.
All believers in all places: The church is not confined to a particular location or people. Paul reminds us that Jews, Greeks, slaves, and free alike are all baptized into one Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13).
The church is catholic—it spans all believers, in all times, and in all places.
The Church is Unified
Despite chronological and geographical distance, all believers are one body in Christ. Paul writes that in one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, sharing one Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). Belgic Confession, article 28, reminds us that salvation is connected to the church:
No one should isolate themselves from the assembly of believers.
Christ saves through the preaching of his Word and through the ministry of the church.
Believers are called to submit to its instruction, practice its discipline, and serve one another according to their gifts.
The church is unified—intimately connected to salvation in Christ.
The Church is Recognizable
How can we know the true church exists in any place or time? Article 29 identifies three marks:
Pure preaching of the gospel: The Word of God is central. False churches elevate their own authority above Scripture.
Pure administration of the sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper alone are administered according to Christ’s institution, not human additions.
Exercise of church discipline: True churches correct sin and encourage holiness; false churches persecute those who live according to God’s Word.
The church is recognizable—it lives out Christ’s Word visibly in this world.
Your Place in Christ’s Church
Knowing Christ’s church means understanding that it is the assembly of all believers, spanning all times and places, intimately connected to salvation, and recognizable by the preaching of the gospel, the administration of the sacraments, and the exercise of discipline.
Value your place in Christ’s church. Participate actively, submit to its teaching and discipline, and serve others with your gifts. Remember, your faith is never meant to be lived in isolation—Christ saves through the fellowship of his people. You’re called to be a member of the body, united with believers everywhere, and rejoicing in the communion you share in Christ.