[225] Our Resurrection Bodies
When Christians die, their souls are perfected. When Christ returns we receive imperishable, glorious, powerful resurrection bodies.
[226] Salvation Means That to Die is Gain
God’s purpose in saving his people is to make them holy and bring them to heaven to live with him forever; to die is gain!
[227] God’s Holy Church
Christians do not just relate to God as individuals, but as members of his church, which exists for his glory.
[228] The Church Defined
The church is composed of all of God’s redeemed children from all ages.
[229] The Visible and Invisible Church
The visible church includes people who are not truly born again and we are called to judge those who claim to be Christians.
[230] The First Mark of a True Church
The first and most important mark of a true church is that the Word of God is faithfully preached, heard and obeyed.
[231] The Marks of a True Church
True churches are distinguished by the faithful preaching and hearing of the infallible Word of God.
[232] The Church as God’s Covenant People
The true church is the gathering of all of God’s covenant children, the true children of Abraham in the covenant of grace.
[233] The Heart of the Covenant
The heart of the covenant is: I will be your God and you will be my people. We belong to Jesus, he is our Lord and we must obey.
[234] There are No Lone-Ranger Christians
All Christians should be members of a local church, be accountable to that church and use their gifts to build it up.
[235] Do Not Give Up Meeting Together
Christians should place a very high priority on gathering together to worship God and participate in each other’s lives.
[236] The Church: God’s Witness to the World
The church is God’s witness to the world and must not conform to the world. Each local church should be governed by elders.
[237] The Coming Kingdom
The kingdom of God is the rule of God and will ultimately be perfectly revealed in heaven.
[238] In the End, Both God and His People are Glorified
The study of eschatology comforts Christians by answering the questions left open by the other five loci of reformed theology.
[239] Christ’s Perfect Victory
The study of eschatology makes clear that Christ victory over sin, death and Satan is a perfect victory.