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Date: Thu, 27 Jul 1995 10:49:32 +0200
Reply-To: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel
Sender: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel
From: Teus Benschop
Subject: Catechism, 27
To: Multiple recipients of list CHR-EXP
Q. What believe you concerning the holy catholic church?
A. That the Son of God gathers by his word and Spirit out of the whole
human race, those, who are chosen to eternal life, to be a church to
himself; of which I believe I am, and always shall remain a living
member.
The church is holy, because God, Who gathers it, is holy.
The church is catholic, meaning, it is universal. This catholic
church has nothing to do with the Roman Catholic church. The holy church
consists of the elect of God; they are chosen to eternal life, and are
gathered by the Son of God into His church. It is said of Christ: "Thou
hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue,
and people, and nation". (Revelation 5:9) God uses His Word and Spirit
to gather that church. The Word is preached. Missionaries go out, and
preach the Word. Ministers preach and explain the Word. The sole Word,
however, effects nothing. It is necessary, that God adds the Spirit to
it. The Spirit uses the Word, and brings it into the elected sinner,
renewing his or her heart.
But, what avails it me, when there is a church on earth, and I am
not a living member thereof? When I am still outside of that church,
being dead in trespasses, I will get lost. Necessary is it therefore,
that one is brought into that church, by God's renewing power. Necessary
is, that I believe, on firm grounds, that I am a living member thereof.
Once being a member of that church, I will always remain a member.
Christ said of the elect: "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall
never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand." (John
10:28)
Q. Where does he gather his church?
A. Where God's word is purely preached, and the holy sacraments
administered according to the institution of Christ.
These two things are marks of any true church:
1. God's Word is purely preached.
2. The sacraments are administered according to Christ's command.
God's Word must be purely preached. This requires preachers, given by
God Himself. Any human invention must be driven out. What has a lie to
do with God's truth? Let then the preachers be always busy in the Word,
in order that they will be able to preach it purely, that is, according
to the Scriptures. Let also the members of the church make, that they
well know the Bible. Let they also lead holy lives, for that will be the
result of purely preaching the Word.
The sacraments must be administered according to the institution of
Christ. So, we have to reject any human addition or omission. Only the
believers will be admitted to the Lord's Supper. Wicked are excluded.
Baptism will be done according to the Word.
Note that peace is not a special mark of the true church. For, also
in any false church may be peace. Perhaps, they are spiritually
sleeping, and that also seems to be peace. Also miracles are not the
mark of the true church, for also satan can perform miracles, to give
his deceit some colour. Also healing is not a sign of the true church,
for satan does the same.
Let then, amidst of all deceit, the pure Word prevail. There, God
gathers His church.
Q. What benefits does Christ bestow on his church?
A. He grants her remission of sins, the resurrection of the body, and
eternal life.
The church receives great benefits from Christ. First, the believer
receives the remission of sins. By grace, that remission is given. It is
given, not because of any merit in us, but by God's grace. We have in
Christ "redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according
to the riches of his grace." (Ephesians 1:7)
Another benefit is the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
On the last day of this world, all dead will arise. Some will arise to
die eternally. Others, the true members of the church, will arise to
live eternally. They, whose sins are not forgiven, remain under the
wrath of God. The members of the church (not the outward members, but
the true believers) - the members of the church have received remission
of their sins, and have escaped God's wrath. They now experience his
love, and will receive eternal life. They on earth know a little of God,
but then, they will know Him as He is.
The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall
hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the
resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the
resurrection of damnation. (John 5:28,29)
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Teus Benschop | t.benschop@pobox.ruu.nl | editor of the list Chr-Exp
"A Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel"
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file: /pub/resources/text/ipb-e/cate: cat-027.txt
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