Salvation and the Church
Westminster Confession of Faith:
“The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the gospel (not confined to one nation as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion: and of their children: and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.”
John Calvin
“I shall start, then, with the church, into whose bosom God is pleased to gather his sons, not only that they may be nourished by her help and ministry as long as they are infants and children, but also that they may be guided by her motherly care until they mature and at last reach the goal of faith. ‘for what God has joined together, it is not lawful to put asunder” [Mark 10.9], so that, for those to whom he is Father the church may also be Mother. And this was so not only under the law but also after Christ’s coming, as Paul testifies when he teaches that we are the children of the new and heavenly Jerusalem [Gal. 4.26].
For there is not other way to enter into life unless this mother conceive us in her womb, give us birth, nourish us at her breast, and lastly, unless she keep us under her care and guidance until, putting off mortal flesh, we become like the angels [Matt. 22.30].
“Remember me, O Jehovah, with favor toward thy people; visit me with salvation; that I may see the well-doing of thy chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the joy of they nation, that I may be glad with thine inheritance” [Ps. 106.4-5; Ps. 105.4]. By these words God’s fatherly favor and the especial witness of spiritual life are limited to his flock, so that it is always disastrous to leave the church.
“The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the gospel (not confined to one nation as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion: and of their children: and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.”
John Calvin
“I shall start, then, with the church, into whose bosom God is pleased to gather his sons, not only that they may be nourished by her help and ministry as long as they are infants and children, but also that they may be guided by her motherly care until they mature and at last reach the goal of faith. ‘for what God has joined together, it is not lawful to put asunder” [Mark 10.9], so that, for those to whom he is Father the church may also be Mother. And this was so not only under the law but also after Christ’s coming, as Paul testifies when he teaches that we are the children of the new and heavenly Jerusalem [Gal. 4.26].
For there is not other way to enter into life unless this mother conceive us in her womb, give us birth, nourish us at her breast, and lastly, unless she keep us under her care and guidance until, putting off mortal flesh, we become like the angels [Matt. 22.30].
“Remember me, O Jehovah, with favor toward thy people; visit me with salvation; that I may see the well-doing of thy chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the joy of they nation, that I may be glad with thine inheritance” [Ps. 106.4-5; Ps. 105.4]. By these words God’s fatherly favor and the especial witness of spiritual life are limited to his flock, so that it is always disastrous to leave the church.
posted by T A Lucas | 12/12/2005
1 Comments:
It sure did sound funny to my Protestant ears the first time I paid attention when I read that (Gal 4:26 NKJV) the Jerusalem above [clarified to be the bride of Christ -- the church, by references in Hebrews and Revelation] is free, which is the mother of us all.
Holy Mother Church
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