The Church, the Communion of Saints

by Martin Luther

169. What is the holy Christian church?

The holy Christian church is the communion of saints, the total number of those who believe in Christ. All believers in Christ, but only believers, are members of the church (invisible church).

596 Eph.2:19-22 You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.

597 John 10:16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to My voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

598 Rom.8:9 If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

170. Why do you say, "I believe" in the church?

A. Because faith, which makes people members of the church, is invisible, the church is invisible to human eyes.

599 Luke 17:20-21 The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, "Here it is, "or "There it is, "because the kingdom of God is within you.

600 2 Tim.2:19 God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are His."

B. The Scriptures assure us that the Holy Spirit continues to gather and preserve the church.

601 Matt.16:18 You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

602 Acts 2:41,47 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Bible narrative: The seven thousand in Israel (1 Kings 19:8-18).

171. Why do you say, I believe in "the" church?

There is only one church, one spiritual body of believers (saints), whose one and only head is Christ.

603 Rom.12:4-5 As each of us has one body with many members ...so in Christ we who are many form one body.

604 Eph.4:3-6 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called-one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

605 Col.1:18 [Christ] is the head of the body, the church.

172. Why is the church called "holy"?

It is made up of holy people (saints), believers who have been cleansed by the blood of Christ and who serve God with holy living.

606 Eph.5:25-27 Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

607 1 Peter 2:5 You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

173. Why is the church called "Christian"?

It belongs to Christ and is built on Him alone.

608 1 Cor.3:11 No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

609 Eph.2:20 [You are] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone.

Note: The word catholic, sometimes used in creeds, means "universal" or "general." The church exists throughout the world, wherever the Gospel is proclaimed.

174. Where is this holy Christian church to be found?

The holy Christian church is to be found where "the Gospel is preached in its purity and the holy sacraments are administered according to the Gospel" (Augsburg Confession VII 1). The Gospel and the
sacraments are called the "marks of the church."

610 Is.55:10-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

175. In what other senses is the word church used?

The word church is also used to indicate:

A. the visible church of God

B. a denomination;

C. a local congregation;

D. a house of worship.

176. Why does Scripture call local congregations "church"?

Local, visible gatherings around the means of grace are called churches because there believers are gathered around Word and sacrament.

611 Matt.18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

612 Matt.28:19-20 Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

613 1 Cor.1:2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ-their Lord and ours.

Note: Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia (Gal.1:2). He wrote to the church of the Thessalonians (II Thess.1:1). John wrote to the seven churches of Asia Minor (Revelation 1-3). A group of 'congregations is also called "church" (Acts 9:31).

177. What is the visible church?

The visible church is the whole number of those who use the Word of God and profess the Christian faith, but among whom, beside the true Christians, there are also unbelievers.

178. Are there then two churches, one visible and the other invisible?

There is only one church--all believers in Christ. The visible gathering is called church because of the believers gathered around the means of grace in an assembly in which there are also hypocrites.

Bible narratives: The net that caught all kinds of fish (Matt.13:47-48). A man without wedding clothes (Matt.22:11-12). Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:111).

179. What do the Scriptures teach about our life in the church?

They teach that: 

A. we should seek always to be and remain members of the invisible church, Christ's body, by sincere faith in Christ, our Savior;

614 John 15:5 1 am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.

615 2 Cor.13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.

B. we should be faithful to that visible church, or denomination, which professes and teaches all of the Bible's doctrine purely and administers the sacraments according to Christ's institution;

616 John 8:31-32 If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

617 Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

618 1 Cor.1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

Note: A religious denomination is a church body or organization with a distinct name and a distinct body of doctrine.

C. we should avoid false teachers, false churches, and all organizations that promote a religion that is contrary to God's Word;

619 Matt.7:15-16 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.

620 Rom.16:17-18 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

621 2 Cor.6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.

622 Gal.1:8 Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 

623 2 Tim.4:3 The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

624 1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

D. we should maintain and extend God's church by telling others about Jesus Christ, by personal service, and by prayer and financial support.

625 John 20:21 As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.

626 Acts 1:8 You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

627 Acts 8:1,4 On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria....Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

628 1 Peter 2:9 You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

629 1 Peter 3:15 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

630 Luke 10:2 He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field."

631 Gal.6:6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.

Bible narratives: Peter addressed the crowds (Acts 2:17-39; 3:12-26). Philip witnessed to the eunuch (Acts 8:26-35). The early Christians prayed for the spreading of the Gospel (Acts 4:23- 30). They also contributed to the support of the ministry (Phil.4:16-19).

Taken from the Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism. 

You can purchase Luther's Small Catechism for a total of $8 by calling the Issues, Etc. resource line at 1-800-737-017.

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