Christ’s Church consists of all those who in their hearts truly trust in Christ. This group of believers is also called the communion of saints and the one holy Christian Church or Christendom. Christians or believers therefore are the Church, and its Head is Christ. It is not the accomplishment of men, but has been created by the Holy Spirit through the Means of Grace.
Eph. 2:19-22: Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief Cornerstone, in Whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.
Eph. 5:25-26: Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.
Rom. 8:9: If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.
Col. 1:18: He is the head of the body, the Church.
Assignment: Read Acts 1 and 2: The birth of the New Testament Church.
Luther: “For thank God, (today) a child seven years old knows what the Church is, namely, the holy believers and lambs who hear the voice of their Shepherd. (Smalcald Articles).
