6.4.1.1 The church is "one"

The profession of the one church arises from the belief in the one God. The triune God has founded and preserved the one church through the Father who sent the Son, through Jesus Christ who–as the head of the body–is enduringly united with the congregation, and through the Holy Spirit who is active in the church of Christ. The church of Christ therefore attests to the unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

 

Jesus described oneness with one another and love for one another as identifying features of those who belong to Him and follow Him (John 13: 34; 17: 20-23). Thereby differences among the members of the church become meaningless, and unity is established. Togetherness and mutual support in the body of Christ are based on love, "the bond of perfection" (Colossians 3: 14).

 

Thus the nature of God is revealed in the church: "God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him" (1 John 4: 16).