Lutheran Manual on Scriptural Principles - Or, the Augsburg Confession Illustrated and Sustained, Chiefly by Scripture Proofs and Extracts From Standard Lutheran Theologians of Europe and America; Together With the Formula of Governmen... #267711

The visible Church of Christ is a divinely-appointed institution, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; against which Church the gates of hell shall never prevail. It is not to be regarded as of human origin, as a voluntary association, or Optional institution, to which we may attach ourselves or not, as we please. It is a place of refuge provided by God himself for fallen man, and if he voluntarily neglects to flee to it for safety, he will forever fail to find any other hiding place from the tempest or refuge from the storm of the divine displeasure. It consists of all those who have heard the gospel call, and having resolved to accept it, have been made disciples by baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, who have thus publicly professed the name of Christ before the world, and promised to obey all things, whatever he has commanded them in his inspired word.