CHURCH-UNIVERSAL
The purest
churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error; and some have so
degenerated, as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan. Nevertheless, there shall be always a church
on earth, to worship God according to His will.
The one true
Church is composed of all believers in the Lord Jesus. It is made up of all God’s elect – of all
converted men and women – of all true Christians. In whomever we can discern the election of
God the Father, the sprinkling of the blood of God the Son, the sanctifying
work of God the Spirit, in that person we see a member of Christ’s true church.
J.C. Ryle
When all
earthly glory is passed away then shall this church be presented without spot
before God the Father’s throne. Thrones, principalities, and powers upon
earth shall come to nothing; dignities, and offices, and endowments shall all
pass away; but the Church of the first-born shall shine as the stars at the
last, and be presented with joy before the Father’s throne, in the day of
Christ’s appearing. When the Lord’s
jewels are made up, and manifestation of the sons of God takes place,
Episcopacy, and Presbyterianism, and Congregationalism will not be mentioned;
one Church only will be named, and that is the Church of the elect.
My religion is merely Christian... The rule of my faith and
doctrine is ye law of God in Nature and Scripture. The Church which I am a
member of is the Universality of Christians, in conjunction with all particular
Churches of Christians in England or elsewhere in the world, whose
Communion according to my capacity I desire...
The
Universal Church has in it only true believers, ones who have been called by
the Spirit to trust in the saving work of Christ, who are
kept eternally by the love of God and who will be presented to Christ without
spot or blemish.
Curtis C. Thomas
Life in the Body of Christ, Founders Press, 2006, p. 68, www.founders.org. Used by Permission.
The
entire remnant of the redeemed elect from all ages; both on earth and in
heaven.
The Visible and Invisible Church; Its Nature and
Practicality, www.apuritansmind.com.