8. Of the Church of Christ

We believe in and confess a visible church of God, namely, those who, as has been said before, truly repent and believe, and are rightly baptized; who are one with God in heaven, and rightly taken into the communion of the saints here on earth. These we confess to be the chosen generation, the royal priesthood, the holy nation, who are declared to be the bride and wife of Christ, indeed, children and heirs of everlasting life, a tent, tabernacle, and dwelling place of God in the Spirit, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, of which Jesus Christ Himself is declared to be the cornerstone (on which His church is built). This church of the living God, which He has acquired, purchased, and redeemed with His own precious blood; with which, according to His promise, He will be and remain always, even to the end of the world, for comfort and protection, indeed, will dwell and walk among them, and preserve them, so that no floods or storms, no, not even the gates of hell, shall move or prevail against them — this church, we say, may be known by her scriptural faith, doctrine, love, and godly way of life, and also by the fruitful observance, practice, and maintenance of the true ordinances of Christ, which He so earnestly commanded His disciples. First Corinthians 12; First Peter 2, verse 9; John 3, verse 29; Revelation 19, verse 7; Titus 3, verses 6 and 7; Ephesians 2, verses 19 to 21; Matthew 16, verse 18; First Peter 1, verses 18 and 19; Matthew 28, verse 20; Second Corinthians 6, verse 16; Matthew 7, verse 25. [n53-1]