One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church

In One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, Guy Waters writes on the biblical doctrine of the church. Written from a confessionally Reformed perspective in dialogue with the great creeds of the church, this book traces the church through the entire scope of Scripture. It is an outstanding biblical theology of ecclesiology. 

Waters begins by explaining how human beings bear God’s image ontologically, functionally, and relationally. Marriage and labor further point to God’s purposes for the church — relating to Christ and doing God’s work in the world. It was eye-opening for me to see how the roots of the church stretch all the way back to Adam and Eve.

Precise, Accessible, Faithful

For Israel, the purpose of the laws was to order the life of an already-redeemed people. Israel was to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, pointing to Christ to diffuse the saving knowledge of God to the nations. When the kingdoms of Israel dissolved, prophetic promises concerning the remnant and Christ shed light on the dynamic, global future of the eschatological people of God. The person and work of Christ reconstitutes God’s people around himself, while the apostles continue Christ’s ministry to the world. 

I was most interested to read about the attribute of unity in the church. Waters posits an underlying unity of Israel and the church as God’s people. Also, the terminology of the invisible/visible church is not employed in Scripture, but the concept is present. The unity of the church is obscured but not destroyed by denominations. A common faith in God as he has revealed himself in Scripture is strong enough to unite us all. Waters’ arguments are precise, accessible, and faithful.

The Bride and Bridegroom

The latter half of the book presents four distinct dimensions of life and ministry in the church — government, worship, life, and mission. A small section regarding the day of worship was especially compelling. The biblical reasons for a Sabbath are: (1) it is not unique to the Mosaic law but was an ordinance of creation; (2) Jesus neither criticized nor abolished the Sabbath — only speaking positively about it; and (3) the New Testament testifies that Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the first day of the week, commemorating God’s work of new creation. I was inspired to see how we rest and worship on Sunday mornings, meeting with one another and with the risen Christ.

One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church is a solid work that will strengthen pastors, scholars, and laymen who serve God’s people. You will come away with a better understanding of the Bride, and a stronger love for the Bridegroom.

I received a media copy of One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.