Monday, June 11, 2007

Christian Church

The Four Evangelists. Oil on canvas, ca. 1625–1630, Jakob Jordaens (Dutch, 1593–1678)The Christian Church, or catholic Church, is the universal institution embodying the Christian faith, the religion based on the worship of Jesus of Nazareth. The concept as it was known beginning in 110 AD, expresses the idea that the followers of the religion can all be seen as part of one single group. Although today there is no single political entity generally recognized as the unique Christian Church, the concept is justified by the notion that the Church is ultimately headed by Jesus Christ who acts as the unifying figure for all who claim to follow Him. The phrase "The Church" in its widest sense (as "the Body of Christ") has a similar breadth.

Terminology
Through history there have been various terms that have been used to express the concept of a united Christian Church. This section discusses some of these.

denomination seven churches of Asia First Council of Nicaea body of Christ cessationism Eucharist