Who are the members of the visible church?

• A. Only baptized adults
• B. All those who profess faith in Christ and their children
• C. Only those under the Law
• D. Non-believers and their families

Answer: (B)

The visible church comprises all those who openly profess faith in Christ along with their children. This understanding is rooted in the theology of the church, which holds that membership not only includes the individual believers who openly declare their faith but also encompasses their children, as they are considered part of the covenant community.

This approach aligns with the belief that the church serves as a nurturing environment for the faith development of both believers and their families. In many traditions, the inclusion of children recognizes the communal and generational aspect of faith, where the family unit is integral to the life of the church.

The other answers focus on more restrictive definitions. Baptized adults would exclude children, and the notion of only those under the Law does not account for the broader understanding of church membership that spans both Old Testament and New Testament believers. Non-believers and their families do not fit the definition of the visible church, as they do not profess faith in Christ, which is central to being a member of the church community.