Lord’s Day 21
Q54. What do you believe about the holy catholic (universal) church?
I believe that the Son of God, through his Spirit and Word, gathers people from all over the world, from the beginning of time to the very end, and protects and keeps a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith. And I am and always will be a living member of this community.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
John 10:11
Acts 20:28
Ephesians 4:11–14
Colossians 1:18
Romans 1:16
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Romans 10:14–17
Isaiah 59:21
Genesis 26:4
Revelation 5:9
Isaiah 59:21
1 Corinthians 11:26
Romans 8:29–30
Ephesians 1:3–14
Acts 2:42–47
1 John 3:14, 19–21
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
Who gathers the church, and how does he do it?
- 2
What does it mean that the church includes people from all over the world and from every time in history?
- 3
How does belonging to the church make a difference in your daily life?
Illustration
A shepherd gathers sheep from scattered hillsides into one safe flock. Jesus, through his Spirit and Word, gathers people from every nation and every century into one church. No one ends up there by accident. Every member is chosen and called.
Application
Look around at church this Sunday and remember that the people sitting near you are part of the same family Christ has been gathering since the beginning. Greet someone you do not usually talk to.