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...the holy catholic (universal) church

We believe there is one universal church under Christ. It is comprised of all people of all time, who have placed believing faith in Jesus for forgiveness of sin. It was bought and paid for by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). Therefore, Jesus is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23).

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Jesus founded the church (Colossians 1:18). His work on the cross is the church’s centrepiece. It is our only reason for faith because it is our only means of reconciliation with the Father (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus' teachings guide the church (John 8:12). He intercedes for it with the Father (John 17:20). He uses marriage to symbolize his relationship to the church: he is the groom and we are the bride (Ephesians 5:22-27).

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The church is made up of all believers

The church is not a building; it is made up all believers in Christ (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13). It is any who gather for worship, teaching and fellowship (Acts 12:12; Acts 16:13; Romans 16:3-5; Philemon 1-2). The people of the church are a refuge and shelter for believers (Acts 16:40). It is the voice, hands and feet pressing outward with our Lord’s compassion to all people (Luke 6:27-36; John 13:35; Romans 10:14-15; 1 Peter 4:10).

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The church is holy. Sadly, from its first days until now, its members have often been unholy – being divisive, greedy, political, habitually sinful and murderous (Acts 5:1-2; 1 Corinthians 5:1 and 11; Romans 16:17). Because of them, people refuse any message of Christ. We must deliberately choose to focus on loving, honouring and building the holy Christian church where Christ resides, and reject the worldly church.

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The scattered church

The church is small-c catholic, meaning it is universal. It has no central government. The message of Christ is not centred in one ethnic group (1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 12:13). No holy site is the centre of Christianity. No specific language is the holy language of the church or Scripture. It has unity across all time, races and cultures (Revelation 7:9). Racial prejudice, cultural and ethnic superiority in the church is sin (Galatians 3:26-28).

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Questions, thoughts? Let's chat.

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Next: The people of the church