As we believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, so we firmly believe that from the beginning there has been, now is, and to the end of the world shall be, one Kirk, that is to say, one company and multitude of men chosen by God, who rightly worship and embrace him by true faith in Jesus Christ, who is the only Head of the Kirk, even as it is the body and spouse of Christ Jesus. This Kirk is catholic, that is, universal, because it contains the chosen of all ages, of all realms, nations, and tongues, be they of the Jews or be they of the Gentiles, who have communion and society with God the Father, and with his Son, Christ Jesus, through the sanctification of his Holy Spirit. It is therefore called the communion, not of profane persons, but of saints, who, as citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, have the fruit of inestimable benefits, one God, one Lord Jesus, one faith, and one baptism. (Scots Confession 15a)
Scripture: On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Thoughts: Knox, who lived in a time in which the western church was dividing, spoke of one holy catholic, universal church. The Church is not one because of institutional organization, or denomination, but because of God's election and call. The invisible church contains the saints in heaven and earth. God will always have a church to worship Him. The oneness of the church is not found in denominations, or creed, but in true faith in God. God calls the true church to himself. During the French Revolution, Voltaire was saying the church would be dead within twenty years.
Prayer: Lord, help me to remember your call upon my life. Thank you for the unity I have with other believers.
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