What is the Church?

In a quiet town in modern-day Turkey lies the ancient city of Nicaea, now called Iznik. This place holds profound significance for Christians worldwide, as it was here in 325 AD that church leaders gathered to clarify core beliefs about Jesus, resulting in the Nicene Creed. This confession of faith has united believers for centuries.

Yet, as thousands of Christians flock to Iznik to commemorate the 1700-year anniversary of the Nicene Creed, a stark reality emerges. The vibrant Christian community that once thrived here has all but vanished. The great basilica where early Christians worshiped now lies submerged beneath Lake Iznik's waters. As one reporter poignantly observed, "The church that helped define Christianity has disappeared."

This sobering transformation serves as a powerful warning. If we lose sight of what the church truly is—if we stop believing rightly about the church—we will eventually stop acting rightly as the church. The essence of who the church is fundamentally shapes what the church does.

The Nicene Creed outlines four crucial attributes of the Church: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. These characteristics, far from being mere theological abstractions, should guide the Church's actions and identity. Let's explore each attribute and its implications for believers today.

1. The Church is One

Jesus doesn't have multiple peoples divided by denomination, race, or socioeconomic status. He has one people, comprising every true believer across time and space. As John 10:16 declares, "And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one Shepherd."

This unity stems from the singular gospel message. Through Jesus alone, all God's people—regardless of background—have access to the Triune God. This truth should compel us to fight for unity among believers, seeking to bridge divides and focus on our shared faith in Christ.

2. The Church is Holy

The term "saints" in Scripture refers not to a select few super-Christians, but to all believers. We are called holy ones, set apart for God. This holiness is not something we achieve through our efforts, but a gift we receive through faith in Christ.

The concept of imputed righteousness beautifully illustrates this truth. Imagine your life depends on clearing an impossibly high bar. No amount of training or effort could ever get you there. But Christ jumps perfectly in your place, and His success is credited to you. Meanwhile, your failure is placed on Him, and He bears the penalty.

This gift of holiness should inspire us to pursue practical holiness in our daily lives. While we're not perfect, true believers should be serious about fighting sin and following Jesus.

3. The Church is Catholic

The word "catholic" here means universal, not referring to the Roman Catholic Church. This attribute reminds us that while the church is one, it manifests in local congregations worldwide. Like a mighty oak with many branches, the universal church comprises numerous local gatherings of believers.

This catholicity should shape our perspective on ministry. We ought to focus on church-shaped work, prioritizing efforts that start and strengthen local churches globally. It calls us to pray for and celebrate other churches' growth, recognizing we're all part of Christ's kingdom.

4. The Church is Apostolic

An apostolic church isn't about tracing leadership lineage back to the apostles. Rather, it's about adhering to the apostles' teachings as preserved in Scripture. The Church is "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone" (Ephesians 2:20).

This attribute challenges us to continually reform our practices according to Scripture. We must be willing to test our traditions and methods against God's Word, always seeking greater faithfulness.

As we reflect on these four attributes, we're reminded that the most important aspect of any true church is not what sets it apart, but what it shares in common with all other genuine churches. Our goal should be faithfulness to Scripture and the historic Christian faith, not uniqueness for its own sake.

The story of Nicaea serves as both a warning and an inspiration. While the visible church in that ancient city has vanished, the truths proclaimed there continue to shape and guide believers worldwide. As we face an uncertain future, we can anchor ourselves in these enduring attributes of Christ's Church.

Let us strive to be a unified church, pursuing peace with one another. A holy church, chasing after righteousness. A catholic church, praying for and partnering with true churches worldwide. And an apostolic church, rooted deeply in Scripture.

As we embrace these characteristics, we participate in something far greater than ourselves. We join the timeless community of faith that spans cultures and centuries. We become living stones in the spiritual temple God is building, a dwelling place for His presence that will endure long after earthly structures have crumbled.

May we hold fast to these truths, allowing them to shape our identity and guide our actions. For in doing so, we play our part in preserving and propagating the faith once delivered to the saints. We become links in the unbroken chain of witnesses, stretching from the apostles to the present day and beyond, until that glorious day when faith becomes sight and we join the Church Triumphant in the presence of our Lord.