Wawasan Dunia Kristen 3 The Attributes of the Church

Summary

In this episode of 'Christian Worldview,' Jonathan King explores the concept of the 'marks of the church' as established by the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD. The discussion delves into the four key attributes: oneness, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity. King emphasizes the importance of these marks for the unity and identity of the church, drawing on Jesus' high priestly prayer and Paul's letters to the Ephesians and Galatians. He also distinguishes between the Roman Catholic and Protestant interpretations of apostolicity, highlighting the need for a church to uphold the Word of God and the sacraments to be considered truly apostolic.

Takeaways

• 🏛 The concept of 'marks of the church' refers to the distinguishing characteristics that define what constitutes a true Christian church.
• 🤔 The script raises questions about what qualifies a gathering of Christians as a church, emphasizing the importance of these attributes for the identity and mission of the church.
• ⛪ The 'Constantinopolitan Creed' from the First Council of Constantinople (381 AD) mentions four marks of the church: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, which are widely accepted across Christian traditions.
• 🔗 The first mark, 'one', signifies the unity of the church, as Jesus prayed for his followers to be united, reflecting the importance of this attribute for the church's witness to the world.
• 🕊 The second mark, 'holy', indicates the church's separation from the world and its commitment to pursuing holiness, as guided by the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.
• 🌍 The third mark, 'catholic', denotes the universality of the church, encompassing all nations and cultures, as Jesus commanded his followers to spread the gospel to all people.
• 📜 The fourth mark, 'apostolic', can be understood differently among Christian traditions; it generally refers to the church's adherence to the teachings and practices passed down from the apostles.
• 🚨 The script warns against churches that claim to be the only true church, as this contradicts the unity that Jesus prayed for among his followers.
• 📚 It encourages evaluating a church's adherence to the core beliefs and practices of the historic Christian faith, including the acceptance of early church councils' decisions.
• 🛐 The importance of a church's commitment to the Word of God and the sacraments is highlighted, as these are central to maintaining the apostolic nature of the church.

Q & A

What are the four marks of the church as defined by the First Council of Constantinople?

The four marks of the church are one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, which refer to the unity, holiness, universality, and apostolic nature of the church.

How does the concept of the church being 'one' relate to Jesus' high priestly prayer in John 17?

The church being 'one' is directly related to Jesus' prayer in John 17, where he prays for the unity of his followers so that the world may believe he was sent by God.

What does the term 'holy' signify in the context of the church's marks?

The term 'holy' signifies that the church is set apart for God, consecrated by the truth, and undergoing a transformational change to become more like Christ.

How does the concept of the church being 'catholic' differ from the Roman Catholic Church?

The term 'catholic' in the context of the church's marks refers to the universal or worldwide church, not specifically to the Roman Catholic Church. It signifies the church's inclusiveness of all believers across the globe.

What is the difference between the Roman Catholic and Protestant understanding of the 'apostolic' mark of the church?

In the Roman Catholic tradition, 'apostolic' refers to the linear succession of bishops, while in the Protestant tradition, it refers to holding to the apostolic gospel and the teachings of Jesus and his apostles.

Why is the unity of the church significant according to the script?

The unity of the church is significant because it is a reflection of Jesus' prayer for his followers and serves as a witness to the world of the truth of his mission.

How does the script suggest we can recognize a true Christian church from a false one?

A true Christian church can be recognized by its expression of unity with other Christians, pursuit of holiness, adherence to the central beliefs and practices of the worldwide church, and its commitment to the Word of God and the sacraments.

What role do the sacraments play in defining the apostolic nature of the church?

The sacraments, specifically baptism and the Lord's Supper, play a crucial role in defining the apostolic nature of the church as they were instituted by Christ and are a testament to the church's commitment to the teachings of the apostles.

How does the script address the idea of a group of Christians gathering for coffee being considered a church?

The script suggests that simply gathering for coffee does not constitute a church, as it does not necessarily express the marks of the church, such as unity, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity.

What is the significance of the early church councils in defining the marks of the church?

The early church councils, particularly the First Council of Constantinople, are significant because they provided formulations and decisions that Christians from both Western and Eastern traditions have agreed upon, thus defining the core attributes of the church.