'Visible church' definitions:

Definition of 'Visible church'

From: GCIDE
  • Visible \Vis"i*ble\, a. [L. visibilis, fr. videre, visum, to see: cf. F. visible. See Vision.]
  • 1. Perceivable by the eye; capable of being seen; perceptible; in view; as, a visible star; the least spot is visible on white paper. [1913 Webster]
  • Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. --Bk. of Com. Prayer. [1913 Webster]
  • Virtue made visible in outward grace. --Young. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Noticeable; apparent; open; conspicuous. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • The factions at court were greater, or more visible, than before. --Clarendon. [1913 Webster]
  • Visible church (Theol.), the apparent church of Christ on earth; the whole body of professed believers in Christ, as contradistinguished from the invisible, or real, church, consisting of sanctified persons.
  • Visible horizon. Same as Apparent horizon, under Apparent. [1913 Webster] -- {Vis"i*ble*ness}, n. -- {Vis"i*bly}, adv. [1913 Webster]