Theology of the Church, Mentor's Guide, MG03

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T H E O L O G Y O F T H E C H U R C H

altogether perfect or having attained the high calling of God in Christ. Even the Corinthian assembly is called holy, and the members are “saints” (cf. 1 Cor. 1.2). We as congregations are holy, at least in the sense that we have been set apart by God for his possession, pleasure, and use (2 Thess. 2.13; Col. 3.12, etc.).

In using the term “catholic,” we are not suggesting that the Roman Catholic form and structure of the Church is authoritative and correct, or even primary. What we do mean here, however, is that the Church includes all the believing, living, dead, and yet unborn, who make up the one multi-national, multi-era, universal community of God. The term itself is based on the Latin terms catholicus , a term connected to the Greek katholikos which means “universal.” The concept is shown to be biblical, although cognates of these actual terms are nowhere cited in the New Testament. A simple way of understanding the concept of catholicity of the Church is to think in terms of the whole Church or the entire people of God, of all ages, times, clans, kindreds, tongues, lands, and languages. It also reflects equally on the unity of the Church, which means that we have a single purpose, identity, mission, and destiny in all the various forms and structures which represent the one true Church. It will be important in your discussion of this material to explore some of the implications of this truth, which is to say that every association of churches which profess and live Jesus as Lord and Savior must be seen as equal. No section, sector, era, or tradition of the Church, therefore, should pretend to be more important or authoritative than any other. The urban churches, therefore, should strive to find its special place in influencing others for Christ. Urban Christianity need not be overly dependent or intimidated at other forms, since they are a part of the one true, catholic Church.

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The idea that the Church is apostolic is built on the idea that the heart and soul of the Church’s faith and practice is built upon the apostles’ testimony and teaching. This is plainly taught by Paul in Ephesians:

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