Read RP Testimony chapter 25 →
Read the official text, or choose a simpler explanation to explore together.
1. The catholic or universal Church which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.
Scripture proofs: Eph. 1:10, 22-23; Eph. 5:23, 27, 32; Col. 1:18.
2. The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the Gospel (not confined to one nation as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion; and of their children: and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.
Scripture proofs: 1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Ps. 2:8; Rev. 7:9; Rom. 15:9-12; 1 Cor. 7:14; Acts 2: 39; Ezek. 16:20-21; Rom. 11:16; Gen. 3:15; Gen. 17:7; Matt. 13:47; Isa. 9:7; Eph. 2:19; Eph. 3:15; Acts 2:47.
3. Unto this catholic visible Church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world; and doth by His own presence and Spirit, according to His promise, make them effectual thereunto.
Scripture proofs: 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11-13; Matt. 28: 19-20; Isa. 59:21.
4. This catholic Church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less visible. And particular churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the Gospel is taught and embraced, ordinances administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them.
Scripture proofs: Rom. 11:3-4; Rev. 12:6, 14; Rev. 2–3; 1 Cor. 5:6-7.
5. The purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error; and some have so degenerated, as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan. Nevertheless, there shall be always a Church on earth, to worship God according to His will.
Scripture proofs: 1 Cor. 13:12; Rev. 2–3; Matt. 13:24-30, 47; Rev. 18:2; Rom. 11:18-22; Matt. 16:18; Ps. 72:17; Ps. 102:28; Matt. 28:19-20.
6. There is no other head of the Church, but the Lord Jesus Christ; nor can the Pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself, in the Church, against Christ and all that is called God.
Scripture proofs: Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22; Matt. 23:8-10; 2 Thess. 2:3-4, 8-9; Rev. 13:6.
Words to know
- Catholic
- Universal or worldwide; here it does not mean the Roman Catholic denomination.
- Invisible church
- All the people who truly belong to Christ, whose hearts God knows.
- Visible church
- The community of people professing the true faith, together with their children.
- Antichrist
- Someone opposing Christ or claiming his place; the Confession and Testimony discuss this in their historical wording.
WCF 25.1 · All Christ’s people belong together
The invisible church includes all God’s chosen people from the past, present, and future, gathered under Christ. He is their head; they are described as his body and bride. We cannot see every heart, but God knows everyone who truly belongs to him.
Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18.
Why does the church include believers from other times as well as our own?
WCF 25.2 · The visible church
The visible church includes people around the world who profess the true faith, together with their children. It is Christ’s kingdom and God’s household. The church is the ordinary place where God gathers and nourishes people in salvation; we should not treat life outside it as the normal Christian path. Membership itself does not automatically save us.
1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Psalm 2:8.
Why should belonging to Christ lead us to value his church?
WCF 25.3 · Christ equips his church
Christ gives his church the ministry of his Word and the practices he commands. Through them he gathers people and helps believers grow until the end of the world. His presence and Spirit make these gifts effective. The church does not accomplish its task by human strength alone.
1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-13; Matthew 28:19-20.
What gifts does Christ use to gather and grow his people?
WCF 25.4 · Churches differ in faithfulness
The church has been more visible at some times than others. Local churches are more or less faithful depending on their teaching, response to the gospel, sacraments, and worship. We should assess faithfulness by God’s Word, not only by size or reputation.
Romans 11:3-4; Revelation 12:6; 1 Corinthians 5:6-7.
What makes a church faithful rather than merely popular?
WCF 25.5 · No earthly church is perfect
Even the best churches on earth have errors and mixed membership. Some become so corrupt that they cease to be true churches of Christ. Nevertheless, God will always preserve a church on earth that worships according to his will. Imperfection calls for reform, not a belief that Christ has abandoned his people.
1 Corinthians 13:12; Matthew 13:24-30; Revelation 18:2.
How can we seek reform without expecting a perfect earthly church?
WCF 25.6 · Christ alone is the church’s head
Jesus alone is the head of the church; the pope cannot hold that place. The original Confession also identifies the pope as Antichrist, using strong language against a claim to rule Christ’s church in his place. The RP Testimony discusses many antichrists and a final man of lawlessness. Read these statements together rather than silently leaving out the original wording.
Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22; Matthew 23:8-10.
Why must every church leader remain under Christ’s authority?
Source: The Constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, updated 2026, A-86, A-87, A-89, A-90.