Q.62. What is the visible church?

A. 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,[w] and of their children.[x]

[w] 1 Cor. 1:2. 1 Cor. 12:13. Rom. 15:9-12. Rom. 7:9. Ps. 2:8. Ps. 22:27-31. Ps. 45:17. Matt. 28:19,20. Isa. 59:21.

[x] 1 Cor. 7:14. Acts 2:39. Rom. 11:16. Gen. 17:7.

Q.62. What are the special privileges of the visible church?

A. The visible church hath the privilege of being under God’s special care and government;[y] of being protected and preserved in all ages, notwithstanding the opposition of all enemies;[z] and of enjoying the communion of saints, the ordinary means of salvation[a] and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel, testifying, that whosoever believes in him shall be saved,[b] and excluding none that will come unto him.[c]

[y] Isa. 4:5,6. 1 Tim. 4:10.

[z] Ps. 115:1,2,9. [See the Psalm throughout.] Isa. 31:4,5. Zech. 12:2-4,8,9.

[a] Acts 2:39,42.

[b] Ps. 147:19,20. Rom. 9:4. Eph. 4:11,12. Mark 16:15,16.

[c] John 6:37.