6.4.1.3 The church is "universal"

In its historical context, "universal" ("catholic") means that there are no boundaries for the preaching of the gospel. This comes to expression in the commission the Risen One gave to His Apostles (Matthew 28: 19; Mark 16: 15; Acts 1: 8). Jesus Christ and His church are there for the people of all nations, for both the living and the dead (Romans 14: 9). God's universal will to save thereby takes on a directly perceptible form within the church.

The church of Jesus Christ is all-encompassing and universal: it is both of this world and of the next, both present and future. While it is at present perceived as an institution for imparting salvation and fellowship with God, the concealed nature of the church will be revealed when it is complete: it will have a life in perfect salvation and in direct fellowship with God.