What Is the Church?

Crucial Questions #17

by R.C. Sproul

In this booklet, Dr. R. C. Sproul carefully and clearly explains that the church is a body of people saved by Jesus Christ and regenerated by the Holy Spirit who live to glorify and enjoy God. Beginning with the ancient Nicene Creed, which affirms that the church is “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic,” Dr. Sproul provides accessible teaching on one of the most misunderstood of all Christian doctrines.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Ecclesiology, Christianity, Church, Nonfiction, Religion

76 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2013

About the author

Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.

Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.

Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.

He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.

Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[BJ Hewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book #17 in the Crucial Questions series. I have been reading them out of order. But that doesn't matter. Another good book by Dr. R.C. Sproul.

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely amazing book! I cannot recommend it enough. R.C. Sproul breaks down what is the church, but then hammers home the Christian's responsibility toward the church. His whole emphasis on, how can we say we love Christ when we hate his bride, will leave you dumbfounded in places. It's extremely well done.

[Lyndon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fairly solid summary (probably booklet length, 70 some pages, but I read the e-book) answering the question, "What is the Church?" R.C. Sproul is (or was, he died a few years ago) a competent and popular communicator and while I may not agree with him on everything (he's quite Reformed! lol), his teaching is often excellent. This entry is part of his "Crucial Questions" series and I was pleased with the study.

To answer this crucial question about the nature of the Church, Sproul explicates the creedal statement, "We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church." The true Church bears these marks: unity in the Gospel; holiness as Christ's Bride; universal (catholic) in scope; and founded upon the apostle's teachings. I thought the first section (a few chapters) on unity was fairly good, but was hoping for more of a prescription or prophetic call to be united in the Gospel.

The next chapter on holiness was also good but again more of an overview without any specific plan for the Church. Sproul did cover some important teaching on the Invisible Church, however. The chapter on the Church's catholicity was quite good and helpful, as was the chapter on our apostolicity - though again, I would have liked more practical application.

Sproul concluded the study with how we know a local expression of the Church is authentic - and that is 1) when the Gospel is proclaimed; 2) the sacraments rightly administered; and 3) when Church discipline is present. The obvious point here is that many of today's "churches" are not really part of the true Church. Here he did provide some practical advice - if you find yourself in an apostate congregation, get out.

I'd recommend this brief treatise for anyone curious about the nature of the Church. I think this might serve as a good foundation for an 8 week or more sermons series on this topic, for there is a lot more to share, in practical terms, about the Bride of Christ.

[Jimmy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book out to go over for a study for a small group since I wanted to review the basics of ecclesiology that was concise and Reformed. I was also hoping to glean from this book anything helpful as I was also preparing to preach for a retreat on the topic of the church. The author R.C Sproul is someone I esteem very highly and he is more than capable in writing on this topic. However I must admit that I was somewhat disappointed with this particular book even though I found his other works in his Crucial Question Series to be quite helpful. This short book has nine chapter in which some of them could have been made into one. For instance I felt the first two chapters could have been combined together. Some of the chapters were so short that I was surprised to find I was done with them even though I was just getting started! There were some chapters that didn’t have a single Bible verse in support of the discussion. Sproul has a chapter on the servants of the Lord and I wished he could have addressed the topic of serving in the church more practically. Upon further reflection after completing the book I think the book as a whole could have been more practical. Sproul did have a helpful discussion in his final chapter about the marks of a true church. I agree with Sproul that a true church must preach the Gospel but I had a harder time with Sproul’s position that an essential element of a true church include the fact that it must practice church discipline. Now don’t get me wrong I believe in the importance of the local church carrying out discipline but I do think it is possible that a church struggle to implement church disciple and still remain a church. In the end I would still say this book is still worth getting despite the drawbacks I’ve mentioned although I would also encourage people to read other works on the church alongside this book. Given how Sproul has made this book and others like it in the Crucial Question series free on Kindle, what’s holding you back?

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good explanation! I never realized how much into detail I had been missing of the church!!!

[Remibelio Matos · Rating 5 out of 5]

«Eso es la iglesia: un pueblo que es propiedad de Dios y vive unido para glorificarlo a él».
—Sproul R. C.

[Timothy Coplin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rock solid truth about what the Church is, and ought to be.
Straight forward teaching with scriptural reference.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read, I'm going to read this quite a few times to remind me of everything I've learnt from this tiny book that is crammed so full of knowledge and insight. I have to agree with some other reviews though, that this is only a starting point in reading about what the church is, but I think that may have been the aim of these 9 short chapters: a quick introduction to answering the question of what the church is.

[Lee Rubsam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Sproul explains things clearly in language that every Christian can understand. This is a short book, which does not go into the details of what all the components of the Church are, but rather, what makes the Church the Church. He comes from the reformed perspective, but is respectful of those of us who do not define ourselves as reformed. I found his teaching to be biblically sound, and it expanded some of my thinking.

[Albert L Schaubel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Church

The fundamentals of the church are defined with historical church references compared to modern day church failures. It's sad to speak of the church failing but there are thousands of protestant churches and they can't all be right!! Dr. Sproul takes us from the institution of the church by Jesus and walks through its history to a Reformation defined criteria of a true church. Preach the Gospel, Administer the Sacraments, and Church Discipline.

[Woo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful

A good read that explains the basis of church foundation, and the contrasting viewpoints in historical church theology. References scripture to provide affirmation on thesis, and a strong argument on the principles that define the duties, attributes, and stewardship that a church should possess.

[GABRIEL MUÑOZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy recomendable libro

Hoy más que nunca debemos reconocer las marcas de una iglesia verdadera, el Dr. Sproul una vez más nos ofrece dirección bíblica al respecto. Gracias al Señor por habernos dado maestros como el, la honra para nuestro Señor Jesucristo, amén.
Saludos desde Concepción, Chile.

[Jason Kolar · Rating 3 out of 5]

These crucial questions books shouldn’t count as full books. They’re so tiny!

I liked it, but didn’t love it. He answers the question, “what is the church?” with an historical answer. One from church history. I can appreciate that, yet I was thinking there would be more of a scriptural foundation than there was. None the less, it’s a decent starting point for ecclesiology.

[Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book we see the nature and scope of the Church of Jesus Christ. This book helps us understand the true purpose of the Church. We, the Church, need to stand up and declare that our triune God is worthy to be worshiped and served. The Church is called by God to to be a people who live to worship and glory Him.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really think this series of crucial questions is a really good introductions to various doctrines for people who are new to Reformed Theology or even new to the Faith. Very easy, quick, and edifying read. This one covers the doctrine of the church, what it means when we talk about a visible and an invisible church, and what kinds of unity the church can have across denominations.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, but brief, overview of the Biblical view of the Church. I particularly enjoyed the discussion of the difference between the visible and invisible Church. I will be recommending this book to others.

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly ok book

I gave a bad review because there is a lie about The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in this book. People should only preach what they know, never against a group they disagree with. Especially when they don't know what they're talking about.

[Sheldon Waithe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bite size

Studying the Greek language helps a lot while engaging with the text. Nice work in breaking down what is a church and it's function. Didn't overwhelm (you) with loads of information,did a good great job moving along the early church time line to now.

[Dan Hamman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A better understanding of the place of God's Church

The author explains what makes up the church. He also explains what sustains the church and what can cause a church to fail its members.

[Esther Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible

A powerful read on what the real church is like. Author expounds on the visible & invisible church, the crowd of witnesses cheering us on. Fills your heart with faith that we are not alone

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent little book that does what it sets out to do: Give a brief overview of the church. Nothing special, but a nice little read.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good on the whole, though he makes a comment towards the end that suggests that a form of church government is a mark of the church.

[Oswaldo Blanco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente libro✔

Un punto de vista bíblico de que es la iglesia, a todo ministro que le este sirviendo a Señor este libro sera de mucha utilidad.Dios los bendiga.

[Rebecca Lewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and concise

A good starting place. He answers the question intelligently, biblically, and in a straightforward manner. A good synopsis of the doctrine of the church.

[Kyle McC · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book for understanding what constitutes a church and why it’s important for believers.

[James Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is the Church?

R.C. Sproul writes in a very digestible matter so a lay person can understand. I do enjoy his books and teaching.

[Jared Wunderlich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource

I appropriate RC Sproul’s input on this subject. It’s a fast, easy read that gets straight to the point. Highly recommend.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Church and invisible church

A quick read about the church. The book begin with the explanation of church, both in exegesis and traditional nicea, and closed with invisible church.

[Nick Suire · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of Dr. Sproul’s work is excellent. His teachings are straight forward and in depth. His passion for truth is evident in every chapter.

[Hug O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genial

Es un librillo ameno, especialmente pensado para el que quiere aprender lo que es y no es la iglesia.
Lo recomiendo a todo re Ken convertido.