Belgic Confession, Article 27: The Holy Catholic Church
This excerpt from Article 27 of the Belgic Confession presents the Reformed understanding of the universal church as the communion of all true believers in Christ, preserved by God's sovereign power throughout history despite earthly opposition and apparent weakness. The article emphasizes the church's spiritual unity across all times and places, bound together by faith, the Holy Spirit, and Christ's eternal kingship, drawing on Old Testament typology to illustrate God's faithful preservation of His people.
Article 27: The Holy Catholic Church We believe and confess one single catholic or universal church—a holy congregation and gathering of true Christian believers,awaiting their entire salvation in Jesus Christ, being washed by his blood, and sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit.This church has existed from the beginning of the world and will last until the end,as appears from the fact that Christ is eternal King who cannot be without subjects.And this holy church is preserved by God...