There are many distinguishing marks of the Christian church. These can vary from local body to local body, but there are several which are should be foundational to the church as a whole and therefore to the local church as well. These are that the church is one; the church is sanctified; the church is catholic; the church is apostolic; and the church is expanding.
ONE
The church is one. Regardless of denomination or location and regardless of theological differences; there is only one church. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ” (1 Corinthians 12.12). All denominations and all locations come together and work together to form one body of Christ.
CATHOLIC
Not only is the body one, but the body is catholic. This is not catholic in the sense of Catholicism; rather it is catholic in the sense that the church is broad and far reaching. There is no extent to which the church ends. This can be taken in a physical sense, in that there is no part of creation which the church is unable to reach. It can also be taken in a social sense, in that there is no way of life or mental condition which is inconducive to being a part of the church.
SANCTIFIED
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world…my kingdom is from another place” (John 18.36). The church has been set aside to be taken to the place that God has prepared for it. Not only that, but to be sanctified means to be changed to be like Christ. The church should constantly be changing to exhibit more closely the characteristics of Christ.
APOSTOLIC
The early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2.42). So, the modern church should be as well. For the church to be apostolic is to devote themselves to the teaching of the apostles and in many cases to the practices of the apostles. Since the apostles were commissioned with the job of starting the church, their practices are the foundation for most modern church practices.
EXPANDING
The command to the Apostles to, “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28.19) applies to the church today as well. In fact, this command was given for the purposes of growing the church and the church today should be persistent in this same goal.
CONCLUSION
All of these attributes are exhibited in any bible following church today. Certainly the church as a whole is one, catholic in nature, sanctified, apostolic and most certainly, expanding. Paul’s words are applicable here, “If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God” (1 Corinthians 11.16).
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Distinguishing Marks of the Church
