Day 324

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 5.

“In the execution of this power wherewith he is so intrusted, the Lord Jesus calleth out of the World unto himself, through the Ministry of his word, by his Spirit, those that are given unto him by his Father;…”

Scripture Lookup

John 10:16

John 12:32

Reflection

“The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord…”

All power for the calling, institution, order or government of the Church is found in Christ. He is the One who builds His church, and He is the One who directs His Church. Apart from Him there is only a club, not a gathering of believers.

In eternity past, the Father and the Son entered into what is called the Covenant of Redemption. The Father chose a people to be given to the Son, “to be by Him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified” (LBCF 8.1). The Son agreed to take on human flesh and be the mediator for this people. The elect, the people given to Jesus, have an everlasting inheritance purchased for them through Christ’s redeeming work. These people Jesus calls out from the world to Himself. This is the ekklesia, or “called-out”. This is the Church.

How does Jesus build His Church?  By his Word and Spirit. In the preaching of the Gospel, which is the Word of God, coupled with the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the elect, God “is pleased in His appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call [the elect]…to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ” (LBCF 10.1). As Christians, we are His. We have been bought with a price. Jesus is more than worthy to receive a people for Himself.

Questions to Consider

• If the church belongs to Jesus, to whom is it accountable?