What is the Church Fathers’ view of the Church?

In the second century, St. Ignatius of Antioch sent letters to the local churches in Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, and Smyrna, describing them as being elected by a divine and holy will before the ages for “an enduring and unchangeable glory” and that they are blessed by the grace of God the Father and are beloved by Him. These churches are favored before God, are enlightened by His will, rejoice in His sufferings, and enjoy the blessings of His resurrection. God bestows every spiritual gift upon them so that they would not lack any spiritual talent.

St. Paul emphasized that every believer is a member of the same body along with his brethren, so it is not appropriate for them to be divided so as not to lose their membership in Christ. St. Irenaeus focused on the commitment of the Church throughout the world to the oneness of faith that she received from the apostles so that all her members may enjoy the knowledge of the divine truth.

In the fourth century, Saint Basil emphasized the Church's need for continuous discipleship, saying, “You and I share the same teachers of the mysteries of God, and the

same spiritual fathers who from the beginning founded your Church.”⁹²⁷ “What clearer evidence can there be of my faith, than that I was brought up by my grandmother, blessed woman, who came from you? I mean the celebrated Macrina who taught me the words of the blessed Gregory, which, as far as memory had preserved down to her day, she cherished herself, while she fashioned and formed me, while yet a child, upon the doctrines of piety. And when I gained the capacity of thought, my reason being matured by full age, I travelled over much sea and land, and whomsoever I found walking in the rule of godliness delivered, those I set down as fathers, and made them my soul's guides in my journey to God.”⁹²⁸

St. Augustine asserts that the Church throughout the world is one flock, and that the kingdom of God is established on earth and is perfected in heaven. He calls heaven the city of God and those who have departed are considered to have joined the “kingdom of heaven.” The Catholic (universal) Church includes members from Abel to those who will be born in the last days and believe in Christ. According to St. Epiphanius of Salamis , the Church is born in one faith through the Holy Spirit.⁹²⁹

St. John Chrysostom wonders how the bride of Christ is counted as His daughter and how this same daughter is counted as His bride? According to the flesh this is impossible but for Christ, the Church is His daughter and His bride at the same time. He begets her in baptism and is united to her. The birth of the Church is compared to the birth of Eve from Adam's side. On the cross, Christ’s side was pierced and blood and water came out, by which the Church was born and the believers were born in the water of baptism were nourished by His blood. Just as Eve was created while Adam was asleep, so Christ died and the Church was formed from His side.⁹³⁰ Before coming to the true faith, the Church was like an adulterous woman but after accepting it, she became a virgin.⁹³¹