5. Scripture also speaks of a _visible_ Church, of visible congregations of Christians. A visible Church is the number of all those who call themselves Christians, who _profess their faith in Christ and are gathered about God's Word._ In these visible congregations there are not only true believers, but also _hypocrites,_ who indeed confess the Christian faith, but do not believe in their Savior. Among the visible churches there are _many false churches and one true visible Church._ The true visible Church teaches and confesses the Word of God _in all its purity, without false doctrines. This true visible Church is the Evangelical Lutheran Church._ To this Church we ought to belong, and to no other; for our Lord says: _"If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth; and the truth shall make you free."_ John 8, 31.32. _"Beware of false prophets!"_ Matt. 7,15. REMEMBER:-- 1. _Let it be your earnest concern to be and remain a member of the invisible Church of Christ; remain steadfast in the true faith. He that believes, and He only, shall be saved._ 2. _Let it also be your earnest concern to belong to the true visible Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In this Church the pure Word is preached, the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation. Avoid all false churches. "Beware of false prophets!"_ 3. _Pray and work with all diligence for your Church that it may be maintained and extended._ Matt. 28,19. MEMORIZE:-- _The Lord knoweth them that are His._ 2 Tim. 2,19. _Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it._ Matt. 16,18. _Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ._ 1 Cor. 3,11. _If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth; and the truth shall make you free._ John 8,31.32. QUESTIONS. 1. Who are the members of the holy Christian Church? 2. By whom was the Church founded? 3. In what way does the Holy Ghost build up and preserve the Church? 4. What is the Church also called in the Third Article? 5. Who are the saints? 6. Why are believers called saints? 7. How are they sanctified by the Holy Ghost? 8. What does the Word "communion" mean? 9. What binds true believers so closely together? 10. Why is the Church called the _holy_ Church? 11. Why is it called the _Christian_ Church? 12. Where do we find the true Church? 13. Why is this so? 14. What is the visible Church? 15. Who also, besides true believers, belongs to these visible churches? 16. Which is the true visible Church? 17. How is the true visible Church called? 18. Why should we belong to this Church and avoid all false churches? LESSON 36. The Third Article. The Forgiveness Of Sins. Which is the Third Article? _I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins._ What does this mean?