The visible church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the sacraments, duly administered, according to Christ’s ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.

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The Church, as the word is used in the Holy Scripture, is not a building; it is the People of God. The term is repeatedly used to refer to those whom the LORD has called out of the world and who come together in the LORD’s name. It begins with the Call of Israel as a missionary nation and reaches its fullness in the multi-national and integrated Body of Christ. 

The Universal Church, also known as the Catholic Church in ancient times, includes all Christians across time and throughout the world who are members of the Family of God, united by their faith in Jesus Christ. However, the experience of this fellowship occurs through the gatherings of Indigenous local church congregations. So, while membership within a local church does not guarantee salvation, there is nothing in the Holy Scripture that can be used to justify the self-isolation of Christians from the fellowship of a local church. 

This is why John Wesley described the true Church as those Christians who have been called by the gospel, grafted into Christ through baptism, motivated by love, and united through fellowship; having made Jesus Christ the Lord of their lives, in trust and obedience to Him. Wesley further believed that, just as Israel was uniquely given the liturgy by which God would accept His People’s worship, the Church has inherited this privilege. Thus, a church is truly the Church only if it proclaims the pure word of God and administers the Sacraments according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. 

To ensure the synthesis of these ideas into our corporate practice of the Faith, the Evangelical Methodist Church adopted chapter 2 of our Constitution (cf. DISC 51-54). Furthermore, to secure the historical and theological roots of Methodism, our Founders saw fit to develop a new and unique hybrid ecclesiastic structure, which they called Congregational-Connectional, outlined in chapter 3 of our Constitution (cf. DISC 60-64). Finally, the denominational principles that guide us and the key functional points of our denominational structure are outlined in chapters 4-7 of our Constitution (cf. DISC 71-131). While these things are outside of the scope of this Catechism, you are encouraged to explore the way in which they flow from this Article with your local church leadership.

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Reflect on the following Biblical texts. What are your thoughts on the way they reveal this doctrine to us? Discuss your answers with your pastor/group leader.

Genesis 12:1-9 / Genesis 15:1-21 / Genesis 17:1-27 

Exodus 3:1-22 / Exodus 19:1-8 

Leviticus 23:1-44 

Deuteronomy 4:1-49 / Deuteronomy 18:1-14 

Isaiah 2:1-5 / Isaiah 56:1-8 

Matthew 16:13-20 / Matthew 18:15-20 / Matthew 28:18-20 

Acts 1:1-2:47 / Acts 4:1-37 

1 Corinthians 11:18-13:13 

Ephesians 2:1-4:16 

Colossians 1:1-29 

Revelations 7:9-17

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Use the following questions to summarize what you have learned about this Article of Faith. Discuss your answers with your pastor/group leader.

What is the purpose of the Church? 

How does the Apostle Paul’s teaching that the Church is the Body of Christ help us understand why participation in a local church is necessary for those who are members of the universal Church? 

How do you discern the difference between a true local church and a false local church? 

What are the dangers of not discerning the difference between a true local church and a false local church?

How does this doctrine affect the practice of our faith? 

Notes: