Romans 3:21-26
Prayers of Love
Mike Giesenhagen
July 21, 2024
Romans 3:21-26
Article 7: The Church
We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
1. The Church is ____________ ___________________.
2. The Church is ___________ __________ _____________.
3. The Church ______________ _________ _____________.
WEEKLY REFLECTIONS
How do you define the Church? What does it mean when our statement of faith mentions the “true church”?
How would you explain justification to someone else? Grace? Faith alone? Christ alone?
Why does our justification matter for the identity of the Church?
How does the Holy Spirit help us be united under Christ? What does this look like in the Church?
What is the importance of the local church in the Christian life? What benefits do we gain from one another?