“Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…” — 1 Corinthians 12:12–13 (BSB)
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” — Matthew 16:18 (BSB)
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” — Acts 2:42, 47 (BSB)
“After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” — Revelation 7:9 (BSB)
This confession expresses both unity and diversity: the one Church is made up of many congregations, cultures, and languages, yet all are joined in Christ by the Holy Spirit. As 1 Corinthians 12 teaches, we are many members, but one body. Conservative Anglicanism has always understood the catholicity of the Church not as institutional uniformity, but as spiritual unity in apostolic faith, sacramental grace, and mission. John Stott wrote, “The Church is not a building or an institution, but the new society of God’s redeemed people—holy and catholic.”
In the Thirty-Nine Articles, Article XIX defines the Church as “a congregation of faithful men, in the which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly ministered.” This points to a visible and invisible Church: visible in its gatherings and ordinances, invisible in its spiritual communion across time and space. The Book of Common Prayer refers often to the “holy Church throughout all the world” in its prayers, signaling our fellowship with all believers past and present, living and departed.
Bishop J.C. Ryle wrote: “The Church is not confined to any one nation, race, or denomination. It is composed of all who repent of sin, believe in Christ, and follow Him.” Similarly, Bishop FitzSimons Allison stated, “The catholicity of the Church is not about human organization but divine creation—God making one people from the many through the cross of Christ.” To confess this truth is to reject sectarianism and isolationism and to embrace the shared life of the global Church.
When we say “I believe in the holy catholic Church,” we declare that we are not alone in the faith. We belong to a great communion, stretching across history and the globe, anchored in Scripture and sacrament, and bound together by the Holy Spirit. It is a reminder that the Church is God’s instrument for proclaiming the Gospel, nurturing disciples, and preparing the Bride of Christ for His return.
Ignatius was the first to use the term “catholic Church,” emphasizing unity in Christ under apostolic teaching.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202 AD) taught: “The Church, though dispersed throughout the world… has received this faith from the apostles and their disciples, and guards it as if dwelling in one house.” — Against Heresies, 1.10.2
Irenaeus described the catholicity of the Church as rooted in one faith and one Lord across all lands.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386 AD) explained: “It is called ‘catholic’ because it is throughout the world, teaches the whole truth, and brings every class of men to godliness.” — Catechetical Lectures, 18.23
Cyril emphasized the Church’s worldwide mission, doctrinal fullness, and outreach to all people.
St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) stated: “The Church is holy, not because its members are perfect, but because it belongs to God and is sanctified by His Spirit.” — On Baptism, 1.1
Augustine reminded us that the Church’s holiness is rooted in God’s work, not human merit.
St. Vincent of Lérins (d. c. 445 AD) said: “In the catholic Church itself, we must hold fast to that which has been believed everywhere, always, and by all.” — Commonitorium, 2.6
Vincent emphasized the Church’s universality through adherence to historic, apostolic faith.
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
St. Thomas Church
PO Box 873
Abbotsford, BC,
V2T 7A2, Canada
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St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement in ancient tradition.
