Believing
The Creed and the Word teach that the Church is the community of those called by God and is described in Ephesians as kingdom, temple, family, body, bride, and army. Its fundamental identity is in being one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, showing unity in faith, hope, and love, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit, universal in time and place, and founded on the teaching of the apostles. The church is incorruptible because it belongs to Christ and remains in its mission of proclaiming, loving, and warring against darkness.
The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Definition of “Church”
“Church” comes from the Greek εκκλησιά (ekklēsía), which means “those who have been called and set apart.”
The church is the community of all faithful Christians in heaven and on earth, called and formed by God to be His people.
The Church as Described in Ephesians
Kingdom of God on earth: Christ is the head and the church His body (Ephesians 1:22–23).
Temple of God: Christ is the cornerstone, and the church a holy building (Ephesians 2:20–21).
Family of God: All believers are part of one same family (Ephesians 3:14–15).
Body of Christ: Diversity and unity in one single body that does not die because it is incorruptible (Ephesians 4:16).
Bride of Christ: Relationship of love and surrender, model for marriage (Ephesians 5:25–27).
Army of God: Spiritual struggle against principalities and powers; called to put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:12).
The Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic
One: Unity in faith, hope, and love (Ephesians 4:5–6; John 17:22).
Holy: The Holy Spirit sanctifies the church and sets it apart for God (1 Peter 2:9).
Catholic (universal): Does not refer to the Roman Church, but to the universal church in every place, time, and human condition (Mark 16:15; Galatians 3:28).
Apostolic: Founded in Christ and in the teachings of the apostles, with continuity in the faith (1 Corinthians 3:11; Revelation 21:14).
