Theological glossary · FaithLogic

Marks of the church

The signs by which a true church is recognised: the creed's 'notes' (one, holy, catholic, apostolic) and the Reformation's 'marks' (the word rightly preached, the sacraments rightly administered, and — for the Reformed — discipline rightly exercised).

Latin notae ecclesiae ('notes of the church'); the Reformation German is Kennzeichen.

Romans 10:14–17 (the word); Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (the sacraments); Matthew 18:15–20; 1 Corinthians 5 (discipline); Ephesians 4:4–6 (the creedal notes).

The medieval question was 'which institution has valid succession?'; the Reformers reframed it as 'where is the true church found?' and answered with the marks (Augsburg Confession VII; Belgic Confession 29). Catholic and Orthodox theology continue to emphasise the four creedal notes as fully realised in their own communion.

The marks locate the church's identity in Christ's ongoing action through word and sacrament, not primarily in an institutional lineage; churches vary in how purely the marks are present.

Whether the four creedal notes require the historic episcopate (Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican) or fidelity to apostolic doctrine (most Protestants); who judges whether a church has 'lost' the marks.

Open in the glossary for related terms and the doctrines this concept appears in.