Of the Church, XXV:1

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 fills all in all.

The Confession begins its consideration of ecclesiology by assigning two characteristics to the church of Jesus Christ. She is:

1. Catholic or universal. The latter is the original meaning of the term "catholic," and was meant to convey the idea that the church was the same everywhere. If you were in Jerusalem, or Corinth, or Ephesus, or Rome, or Alexandria, or North Africa, the Christian church was the same body. It wasn't until later that the term "catholic" came to be identified with the Church of Rome; she has no more exclusive right to it than the Eastern church has for "orthodox."

2. Invisible. This means that the church is composed of all believers, past and present, no matter where they are. This group is invisible as a whole--we cannot see those who have gone to be with the Lord, for example. The church is not to be confused with the outward, visible institution.

The Confession next defines the church as "the whole number of the elect," and counts future believers as members already. After all, these have been chosen from the foundation of the earth as well.

Next, the Confession emphasizes that the real, true head of the church is none other than Christ himself. It will elaborate on this point later in the chapter. In relation to Christ, the church is described as his spouse, his body, and "the fullness of Him that fills all in all." Each of these is a biblical concept. What an exalted view of the church, and what a neglected, disrespected view in this day and place!

Tomorrow: The visible church.