It is possible that some who belong to the invisible Church never become members of the visible organization… On the other hand there may be unregenerate (people) who, while professing Christ, have no true faith in Him…and these, as long as they are in that condition, do not belong to the invisible Church.
Systematic Theology, by permission of Banner of Truth, Carlisle, PA. 1998, p. 566. Get this book!
[The] Church is said to be invisible, because she is essentially spiritual and in her spiritual essence cannot be discerned by the physical eye; and because it is impossible to determine infallibly who do and who do not belong to her.
Systematic Theology, by permission of Banner of Truth, Carlisle, PA. 1998, p. 565, 566. Get this book!
The true church is called “invisible.” This does not mean that true Christians are invisible but that their “trueness” or genuineness is invisible to man. For example, the true faith of the eleven apostles was not visible any more than the false faith of Judas was visible (until the betrayal and suicide following Christ’s rejection of him revealed it).
Theology for Everyman, Moody, 1965, Chapter 9.
Contrast between the Visible and Invisible Church. Visible: Membership: Saved and lost, Only currently living people, Many local churches, Differing denominations, Part of the body of Christ, Differing types of government and Ministering the ordinances. Invisible: Membership: Saved only, Both dead and living in Christ, Only one universal church, No single denomination, The entire body of Christ, Christ the only head and Ordinances fulfilled.
Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrine, Zondervan, 1992, p. 116.
According to Scripture, the invisible church includes everyone who has ever been genuinely born again for every age of church history. This church will not meet in a visible way until Christ returns. The visible church consists of believers who are alive and meeting together right now.
To Be or Not To Be a Church Member, Calvary Press, 2004, p. 19.
The visible church may be distressingly and sorely fractured and fragmented into all different kinds of denominations and groups, but the invisible church is the true body of Christ. Everyone who is in Christ, and in whom Christ dwells, is a member of this one universal church.
The Purpose of God, An Exposition of Ephesians, Christian Focus Publications, 1994, p. 99.
The invisible church refers to those persons who are truly redeemed, truly regenerate and spiritually united with Christ. The invisible church is distinguished from the visible church because no man can read another person’s heart. We look on the outward appearance, but God alone can read the heart.
The Purpose of God, An Exposition of Ephesians, Christian Focus Publications, 1994, p. 88.