1. One
2. Holy
3. Catholic
4. Apostolic

Jan Hus, John Wycliffe, and John Calvin were all early reformers that spoke of the invisibility of the Church in one sense. This was largely in response to the historic Catholic explanation of the visible Church.

The doctrines of the kingdom of God and the Church.

The attributes of the Church are factual descriptions of the form of the invisible Church, but also give the ideals that are to be realized in visible churches.

Clowney argues that it is Peter in contrast to the rest of the world, not Peter in contrast to the other apostles.

Bringing members into and out of the membership of the local Church.

There is an element of “already” and “not-yet” of the kingdom of God today. Churches today are present kingdom outposts on the battlefront. So in that way, the kingdom is in the world today. However, one day, the kingdom of God will encompass all of creation.

He is both Lord and Vassal (Servant) in the covenant with his people, the assembly.

The analogy of the Assembly of Christ draws from the account of God assembling his people together at Mt. Sinai, after the Exodus. In a similar way, Jesus is delivering his people through the great and mighty deliverance of his death and resurrection. He takes his people out of bondage and assembles them together at his feet to build his church.

Keller talks of it being the “banner-breaking” glory of God that does the unexpected. The glory of God affects change and brings about renewal.

Keller says that this is evidence of a lack of the fellowship of the Spirit. Fruit of the fellowship of the Spirit is seen in members interacting and caring for one another.

The Body of Christ is an idea that is unique to Paul

The Body of Christ emphasizes the eschatological newness of the Church.

The Body of Christ metaphor helps to protect against the idea that we are each saved completely as individuals, without considering the corporate aspect of salvation.

Gaffin, along with the Reformed tradition, argues that the “body of Christ” is a metaphor, not a physical reality

Gaffin, along with Herman Ridderbos, argues that these should be seen as two different metaphors. However, this is not a universal consensus. John Murray believed that it was only one metaphor.

To Clowney, it is both the physical assembling of local churches, as well as joining in a shared assembly in the presence of Christ with all of the saints of all time. However, he argues that it is most fundamentally the latter.

The people of God are all those who are called by God, from all times and all places, to join in the assembly in God’s presence. This includes Israel in the Old Testament and the Church in the New Testament.

Redemption and renewal.

In the promise of the Remnant. It shows that there is a people within the people, chosen within the chosen.

In the broadest sense, it is that which marks the line between the Church and the world.

1. Be concerned for the glory of God’s name
2. Preserve the purity of the Body
3. Restoration of the offender

In the time of the Reformation, there was growing concern that a church could possess all four attributes, but still lack a vital relationship with Christ. This led to the development of a list of marks.

1. Right preaching of the Word of God
2. Right administration of the sacraments
3. Church discipline

No, they had many different lists of the the marks of a true church. These different views are laid out in Berkhof’s Systematic Theology.

Gaffin argues that both the deacons and elders have elements of oversight and rule in the Church. He avoids conflating the two, however.

Gaffin argues for the exclusion of women from the diaconate.

Contrary to what some believe, revival cannot be brought about by human effort. We can prepare ourselves and try to create the setting for revival, but the reviving is done by the Holy Spirit.

Defective orthodoxy is a term that originated with Martyn Lloyd-Jones, referring to different problems that exist in seemingly truth-filled churches that hinder the coming of revival.

1. Over-stressing the intellectual: only teaching doctrines, while not applying to the heart.
2. Lack of doctrinal balance: becoming too focused on one peripheral doctrine (eschatology, spiritual gifts, etc.).
3. Over-concern with mechanics.
4. Un-mortified sin.