The Visible Church: A Timeless Society of Faith

In the rich tapestry of Christian doctrine, the Westminster Larger Catechism stands as a profound summary of biblical truth, crafted in the 17th century to guide believers in their understanding of God's Word. As Baptists, we cherish this catechism, adapting it where necessary to align with our convictions on baptism while embracing its core teachings on the church, covenants, and salvation. Today, let's delve into the 62nd question: "What is the visible Church?" The catechism answers, "The visible Church is a society made up of all such as in all ages and places of the world do profess the true religion, and of their children." This definition of the visible church invites us to reflect on the church not as a mere institution but as a living, global community bound by faith in Christ. It's a reminder that we are part of something far greater than our local congregations, a divine society spanning history and geography, united in profession and promise.

Understanding the Visible Church

To grasp an understanding of the visible church, we must distinguish it from the invisible church. The invisible church comprises all the elect, known only to God, those truly regenerated by the Holy Spirit. In contrast, the visible church is the outward expression of God's people on earth, consisting of those who profess faith in the true religion, that is, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and their children. This visible aspect is what we see and participate in: gatherings for worship, participation in the ordinances, and fellowship.

Scripture vividly portrays this visible church. In 1 Corinthians 1:2, Paul addresses "the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Here, the church is visible in its local and universal forms, marked by a shared calling and profession. Similarly, 1 Corinthians 12:13 declares, "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, and all were made to drink of one Spirit." This baptism into one body highlights the visible unity achieved through the outward sign of faith, incorporating diverse people into a single society.

As Baptists, we see the visible church as the covenant community where the gospel is proclaimed and professions of faith are made. It's not perfect, hypocrites and false professors will always be present, but it's the arena where God works His purposes, calling sinners to repentance and nurturing believers in holiness.

The Universality of the Visible Church

One of the most awe-inspiring aspects of the visible church is its universal scope: "in all ages and places of the world." This isn't a modern invention but a biblical promise fulfilled across time. Revelation 7:9 paints a glorious picture: "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands."This multitude represents the visible church triumphant, drawn from every corner of the earth.

Old Testament prophecies foretell this global reach. Psalm 2:8 promises the Messiah: "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession." Psalm 22:27-31 expands on this: "All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you...Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it." Likewise, Psalm 45:17 declares, "I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever."

In the New Testament, Jesus commissions His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." This Great Commission underscores the church's mission to expand visibly across the globe. Romans 15:9-12 echoes this, quoting prophecies that Gentiles will glorify God, rejoice with His people, and hope in the root of Jesse.

For us as Baptists, this universality stirs devotion. It challenges us to pray for missionaries, support global outreach, and celebrate the diversity in our own churches. Imagine the encouragement: your local baptism service echoes the eternal gathering in Revelation, a foretaste of heaven's multicultural praise.

Professing the True Religion

At the heart of the visible church is the profession of "the true religion," the biblical faith centered on Christ's atoning work. This profession isn't mere words but a public declaration of trust in the Triune God, repentance from sin, and commitment to His Word. It's what distinguishes the church from the world.

Scripture emphasizes this confessional aspect. In Romans 15:9-12, we see the inclusion of Gentiles through praise and hope in Christ, a visible profession. The church in Corinth, despite its flaws, was addressed as those who "call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 1:2). This calling is an outward sign of inward faith, making the church visible.

Devotionally, this calls us to examine our own profession. Is our faith evident in daily life? As Baptists, we emphasize believers' baptism as a key profession, a public testimony of regeneration. Yet, the catechism reminds us that the visible church includes all professing believers across history, urging us to live authentically, witnessing to the true religion in a skeptical world.

The Inclusion of Children in the Covenant Community

The catechism's inclusion of "and of their children" reflects a covenantal understanding rooted in Scripture, but as Baptists, we interpret this carefully to align with our commitment to credobaptism. According to the 1689 Confession (Chapter 26), the visible church consists of those who profess the faith of the gospel and obedience to God through Christ, visibly demonstrating this in their lives. Local churches are to be constituted of such "visible saints," and membership requires a credible profession of faith, followed by baptism as an ordinance signifying entrance into the covenant community. Children of believers, while precious and set apart, are not considered formal members of the visible church until they themselves make a personal, credible profession of faith and receive believer's baptism.

This perspective honors the biblical promises to families without conflating them with automatic church membership. Genesis 17:7 establishes God's covenant with Abraham and his offspring: "And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you." Isaiah 59:21 reinforces this generational faithfulness: "“And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,” says the LORD, “from this time forth and forevermore.”

In the New Testament, Acts 2:39 extends the promise: "For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." The promise is for everyone, not just the people present at Peter's sermon. 1 Corinthians 7:14 affirms that children of believers are "holy," not unclean, indicating they are set apart by their parents' faith and under the influence of the gospel. Romans 11:16 uses the metaphor: "If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches," suggesting a familial holiness.

As Baptists, we view children as beneficiaries of these covenant promises, under the church's spiritual care, discipled in the faith, and encouraged toward personal repentance and belief. However, echoing the 1689 Confession's emphasis on visible saints, we reserve full membership, including participation in the Lord's Supper and voting rights in the congregation, for those who have professed faith and been baptized. This motivates us to prioritize family worship, catechism training, and prayer for our children's conversion, seeing our homes as extensions of the church's ministry rather than conflating family with formal membership.

Implications for Baptists Today

Living as members of this visible church has profound implications. It fosters unity amid diversity, as 1 Corinthians 12:13 reminds us of our shared baptism into one body. It fuels mission, echoing Matthew 28:19-20's call to disciple nations. And it encourages perseverance, knowing God's covenant spans generations (Isa. 59:21). In a fragmented world, this truth devotes us to active church life: attending worship, serving one another, and evangelizing. As Baptists, we rejoice in our confessional heritage, adapting the catechism to emphasize regeneration while honoring the visible society's breadth.

Conclusion

The visible church, as defined in the Westminster Larger Catechism, is a beautiful, enduring society, professing believers and their children, spanning all ages and places. Grounded in Scriptures like Revelation 7:9 and Genesis 17:7, it invites us to deeper devotion: praising God for His global family, professing Christ boldly, and raising our children in covenant hope. May this truth inspire us to live visibly for His glory, until we join the multitude before the throne.