I’m wondering how the Church Fathers and them defined their “church”. Just a number of believers in CHrist or was common belief in doctrine and proctices necessary too.
Even before the Church Fathers, note the characteristics of the infant Church:
Acts 2:42-46
[42] And
they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. [43] And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. [44] And
all who believed were together and had all things in common; [45] and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need. [46] And day by day,
attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes…
Acts 4:32
[32] Now the company of
those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common.
The Council of Jerusalem proclaimed a binding decree on
all Christians (Jew and Gentile), thus showing that the
one Church is to have
one faith and that there is a magisterial (teaching) authority in that Church with supreme jurisdiction.
Paul’s letters are themselves a sign that there was
one Church throughout the provinces of Asia, Rome, Africa, etc. They are a sign that Paul expected and worked for
unity of belief and worship among the churches – remember, he didn’t found the church in Rome, but he wrote to it with authority nonetheless!
I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of
those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to
the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them. (Rom. 16:17)
I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you
agree and that there be
no dissensions among you, but that you
be united in the same mind and the same judgment. (1 Cor 1:10)
… so that we may
no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. (Eph. 4:14)
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you
stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel… (Phil. 1:27)
… complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love,
being in full accord and of one mind. (Phil. 2:2)
As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus that you may
charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine… (1 Tim. 1:3)
If you put these instructions before the brethren, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus,
nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have followed. (1 Tim. 4:6)
… he must hold firm to the sure word as taught, so that he may be able to
give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it. (Titus 1:9)
Therefore
let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of
repentance from dead works and of
faith toward God, with
instruction about ablutions, the
laying on of hands, the
resurrection of the dead, and eternal
judgment. (Heb. 6:1-2)
Any one who goes ahead and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God; he who abides in the doctrine has both the Father and the Son. If any one comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into the house or give him any greeting… (2 John 1:9-10)
Yes, the Church, from her beginning, has had one faith.
