VIII

The Church exists from the Word, and it is such as is its understanding of the Word

There is no doubt that the Church exists from the Word; for the Word is Divine Truth itself Nos. 1-4; the doctrine of the Church is from the Word Nos. 50-61; and conjunction with the Lord is effected by means of the Word. It may, however, be doubted that it is the understanding of the Word which constitutes the Church, as there are some who believe that they belong to the Church because they have the Word, read it or hear it read by a preacher and know something of the sense of the Letter, although they do not know how certain passages in it are to be understood; while some regard this of no importance. It will be necessary, then, to prove that it is not the Word, but the understanding of it, which constitutes the Church, and that the quality of the Church is according to the understanding of the Word with those who are in the Church. This is proved by the following considerations.