IX — APOSTOLIC
IX — WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF “ONE HOLY CHRISTIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH” IN LIGHT OF THE MISSIO DEI IN JOHN 17?
For centuries, the Christian community of faith and mission has confessed one holy Christian (catholic) apostolic church in the Nicene Creed. This reflects the Missio Dei.
Oneness. Christ’s High Priestly prayer in John 17 makes it clear that the church is one. The assembly of believers all over the world are all one in Christ. All Christians are members one of another. We are all one in the Body of Christ. Christ alone has created this oneness, or unity. There is an order to being sent into the world in John 17:18; both believers and those to whom believers are sent become one with Christ and with one another. Oneness does not come through having unity of church polity, structures, or agreement in traditions, rites, or ceremonies, nor does it come through willing collaboration in church functions, activities, or building or property enterprises. Jesus prays “that they may be one as we [the Father and Jesus] are one” (vs. 11 and 22).
Holiness. The confession also reflects that the one assembly is holy, as described in Christ’s prayer (“sanctified” in the High Priestly prayer of John 17), to be protected from the evil one and sanctified (made holy) by the Word of Truth (vs. 16-17). As the oneness of the church is rooted in Jesus Christ, so also is the holiness of the church. Christians are not holy through church polity or piety, rules, traditions, practices, laws, or common arrangements, nor are they holy through mere performance of worship, liturgy, and/or ceremonies. The holy Christ has given His holiness to His own by the shedding of His holy blood.
Christian. The Christian church is based on the centrality of Christ, who with authority gives His people eternal life and the means to know the only true God and Jesus Christ. A Christian is one who, in relationship with Christ, knows Christ and possesses His gifts, His oneness, His holiness, His love, and His presence, all the while being in the world, but not of the world (John 17). The church is catholic, or universal, in the saving faith wherever the Gospel is preached.
Apostolic. The church is apostolic. That means it is a sent church. It is also therefore a missionary church (John 17:18). Related root words to “apostolic” are mentioned seven times in John 17. Basing its life on the teachings of the Apostle Jesus Christ Himself, the church is sent into the world while not being of the world. The apostolic church leaves, goes, and takes the Gospel to the world. The apostolic church has the authority of Christ Himself, just as the Apostles, who were the immediate sent ones of Christ, to proclaim and live the Good News in order that people trust in Jesus and be saved. The apostolic church is engaged with, receives, and participates in Christ’s sending as it embraces Christ in saving faith.
28. Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
29. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
30. John 17:20 I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.
31. Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
32. Ephesians 4:3-6 …eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
33. Romans 12:4-5 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
34. 1 Peter 2:5 You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
35. Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
(For further study see the Third Article, The Apostle’s Creed, Luther’s Small Catechism.)
