One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church: The Biblical Doctrine of the Church (We Believe Series)
For us and for our salvation
We can better see God’s wise and good plan for the world when we better understand his intentions for the church.
One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the nature and purpose of the church. Throughout redemptive history, God has been gathering a people to himself to worship him, to serve one another, and to bring the gospel to the nations.
Waters approaches the doctrine of the church from biblical-theological, historical, and systematic angles. He also addresses practical concerns about the life and ministry of the church today, such as worship, spiritual gifts, and the relationship between church and state.
Praise for One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church
We’re told that biblical studies and systematic theology should be totally separate. But then comes along Guy Waters, a New Testament scholar and a superb systematic theologian. There has never been a greater need for a biblical doctrine of the church. I hope this is read widely for the health of every church not only in the US but in the Majority World.
—Michael Horton, professor of theology and apologetics, Westminster Seminary California
Guy Prentiss Waters provides an insightful, precise, readable, and thorough doctrinal account of ecclesiology. His masterful work encompasses biblical revelation, doctrinal matters, and practical wisdom.
—Gregg R. Allison, professor of Christian theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kentucky
In his typically warm and readable style, Dr. Guy Prentiss Waters presents a rich gift to the church. In One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, he invites us into a sweeping (biblico-theological) survey of the church through Old and New Testaments, and then, while fearlessly probing the perennial questions (including such topics as government, worship, discipline, mission, and church/state relations), draws summary (systematic-theological) conclusions about Christ-honoring principles for the church’s life and practice. In this welcome work about the church, Waters has produced a new go-to resource for the church.
—David B. Garner, chief academic officer, vice president of global ministries, and Charles Krahe Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Glenside, Pennsylvania
Guy Waters embodies a rare combination of being a sharp biblical scholar, excellent theologian, and clear writer. This addition to what is proving to be an excellent series on the Nicene Creed, develops the doctrine of the church biblically, systematically, and practically. Summarizing the book’s primary arguments with seven theses on the church at the close of the book, Waters presents his material with characteristic clarity and exceptional usefulness.
—Ryan M. McGraw, Morton H. Smith Professor of Systematic Theology, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
The We Believe Series
Understand. Proclaim. Act.
We Believe is a series of eight major studies of the Christian faith’s primary doctrines as confessed in the Nicene Creed and guided by the Reformed tradition. In each volume, trusted authors engage a major creedal doctrine in light of its biblical-theological foundations and historical development, fleshing out its spiritual, ethical, and missional implications for the church today.
Learn more about the other titles in this series.
Praise for the We Believe Series
Integrating biblical and systematic theology with a missional and pastoral passion, this series promises not only to inform but to transform readers through the riches of God’s word. I highly recommend it.
—Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California
Surely J. I. Packer is right to say regularly that the great need of our churches today is a renewal in catechesis. The “We Believe” series may well serve as a resource for that renewal by helping commend and clarify the faith and practice of the disciple of Jesus Christ.
—Michael Allen, John Dyer Trimble Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando
- Introduction
- Part I: Biblical Revelation
- Creation: Foundations for the Church
- Eden: Beginnings of the Church
- Abraham: Covenantal Establishment of the Church
- Moses: Typological Organization of the Church
- The Prophets: Judgment and Hope for the Church
- Jesus: Eschatological Reconstitution of the Church
- The Apostles: The Eschatologically Mature Church
- Part II: Doctrinal Construction
- The Attributes of the Church
- The Marks of the Church
- The Government of the Church
- The Worship of the Church
- The Life of the Church
- The Mission of the Church
- Part III: Truth for Life and Mission
- The Church in the World: Church and Civil Government
- Seven Theses on the Church
- Conclusion
- Title: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church: The Biblical Doctrine of the Church
- Author: Guy Prentiss Waters
- Series: We Believe
- Series Editors: John McClean and Murray J. Smith
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2025
- Pages: 348
- Format: Logos Digital, Hardcover
- Trim Size: 6x9
- ISBN: 9781683598367
Guy Prentiss Waters is the James M. Baird Jr. Professor of New Testament and academic dean at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. He is the author of The Sabbath as Rest and Hope for the People of God, The Lord’s Supper as the Sign and Meal of the New Covenant, and How Jesus Runs the Church.