Unto this catholic visible Church Christ has 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 does, by His own presence and Spirit, according to His promise, make them effectual thereunto.
In order that his people may be gathered in together and sanctified, being made as they are into a suitable Bride for the Bridegroom, Christ has given his Church "the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God," namely the Word, the sacraments, and the established pastoral and service offices. These are readily available now and will continue until the consummation of the age. That these are guaranteed effective for the purposes God has designated them is assured because of the spiritual presence of Christ and of his Spirit as he himself promised. By themselves there is no power in the written or spoken word of God or in the administration of the sacraments--only as Christ himself works in and through and with them do they become effectual.
Tomorrow: The purity of the Church.
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