What is "visible church"

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.

   Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
   --Bk. of Com. Prayer.

   Virtue made visible in outward grace.
   --Young.

2. Noticeable; apparent; open; conspicuous.
   --Shak.

   The factions at court were greater, or more visible, than before.
   --Clarendon.

   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.