The Seven Marks of the Church

Luther had been calling for a free synod under the presidency of the emperor rather than the pope, to deal with the differences in theology and proposals for reform.

He called for such a meeting one last time in his 1539 treatise On the Councils and the Church.

People were confused about where the true church was found.

He said, “not in Rome; not even in Wittenberg,” but where the word of God is preached and the sacraments of Christ are administered.

In other words, not in the churchwide structure, and not even in the synod, if you like that better; but in Word and Sacraments.

He then expanded his thoughts to discuss seven marks of the Church.

These marks are the basis of church reform and renewal, formed not on human effort but on the divine means of grace.

In a time of crisis when reform is needed, you go back to the basics.

Here are the basics, said Luther, in their evangelical and catholic fullness.

Luther observed that the Small Catechism teaches us that the church (God's holy people) will endure, somehow, and this promise is good forever:

“I am with you always, to the close of the age,” Jesus said

But how will or how can a poor confused person tell where such Christian holy people are to be found in this world?

Look for the signs, Luther said.

Look not only at constitutions and other documents, but even more importantly, look at what is happening in this assembly, what people are deciding is truly important to shape their lives.

Where the seven signs are evident, the church is there...whether it is a large gathering or small, whether it uses an imposing building or gathers under a tree.

These are the 7 events that Luther considered to be the best signposts of the church:

1. The Word of God, preached and taught.

2. The sacrament of Holy Baptism.

3. The sacrament of the Altar

4. Confession and forgiveness, publicly exercised.

5. The ordination and calling of pastors.

6. Prayer, praise, and thanksgiving

7. The cross of Christ in the suffering of the saints.

Luther wrote about each sign in turn:

1. “The Holy Word of God”

First, the holy Christian people are recognized by their possession of the holy word of God....

We are speaking of the external word, preached orally by men and women like you and me, for this is what Christ left behind as an external sign,....

Now, wherever you hear or see this word preached, believed, professed, and lived, do not doubt that the true ecclesia sancta catholica, “a Christian holy people” must be there, even though their number is very small.

For God’s word “shall not return empty” (Isaiah 55:11).

God’s strong word is creative and accomplishes what it sets out to do.

It will sustain the church.

2. “The Holy Sacrament of Baptism”

Luther writes:

Second, the church, the gathering of Christian holy people, is recognized by the holy sacrament of baptism, wherever it is taught, believed, and administered according to Christ’s ordinance.

That too is a public sign and a precious holy possession by which God’s people are made holy.

It is the holy bath of regeneration through the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5), in which we are washed of sin and death by the Holy Spirit, in the innocent holy blood of the Lamb of God.

God claims us as his own people in Holy Baptism and places his Name on us.

In times of difficulty we affirm with St. Patrick, “I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity.”

3. “The sacrament of the altar”

Luther writes:

Third, God’s people the church are recognized by the sacrament of the altar, wherever it is rightly administered, believed, and received, according to Christ’s institution. This too is a public sign and a precious, holy possession left behind by Christ, by which his people are sanctified (made holy) so that they can do the things of faith.

The Eucharist has served as the glue that binds together in one fellowship the body of Christ on earth.

We are bound together not by our organizations, but by the body and blood of Christ.

4. “The office of the keys publicly exercised”

Luther writes:

Fourth, God’s people or holy Christians are recognized by the office of the keys exercised publicly.

That is, as Christ decrees in Matthew 18:15-20, if a Christian sins, he should be removed;

If he does mend his ways, he should be absolved.

That is the office of the keys.

Now the use of the keys is two-fold, public and private....

Now where you see sins forgiven or reproved in some persons, be it publicly or privately, you may know that God’s people are there.

A real church, as Matthew’s Gospel taught, has to deal with real forgiveness of real sins.

5. The office of the holy Ministry

Luther writes:

Fifth, the church is recognized externally by the fact that it consecrates or calls ministers.

There must be bishops, pastors, and other leaders, who publicly and privately give, administer, and use the Word, Baptism, Communion, and Forgiveness on behalf of and in the name of the church, or rather by reason of their institution by Christ.

The church, the assembly of God's people, has a public ministry which publicly preaches God’s Word and publicly administers the sacraments of Christ.

In other words, the public ministry is not just to keep the institution going, but truly to do God’s work.

6. Worship, prayer, and study

Luther writes:

Sixth, the holy Christian people are externally recognized by prayers, public praise, and thanksgiving to God.

Wherever you see and hear the Lord’s Prayer prayed and taught; or psalms or other spiritual songs sung, in accordance with the word of God and the true faith; also the creed, the Ten Commandments, and the catechism used in public, you may rest assured that a holy Christian people of God are present.

The church is visible in public assemblies for worship and in its public catechizing of the people; it is not merely a matter of each person dreaming up his/her own spirituality, but sharing and celebrating this great Good News with our companions.

The church at its best embodies community, and does not turn us into spiritual lone rangers.

7. “The possession of the sacred cross”

Luther writes:

Seventh, the holy Christian people are externally recognized by the holy possession of the sacred cross. They must endure every misfortune and persecution, all kinds of trials and evil from the devil, the world, and the flesh (as the Lord’s Prayer indicates) by inward sadness, timidity, fear, outward poverty, contempt, illness, and weakness, in order to become like their head, Christ. And the only reason they must suffer is that they steadfastly adhere to Christ and God’s word, enduring this for the sake of Christ, who said “Blessed are you when men persecute you on my account” (Matt. 5:11).

The true church will experience trials and tribulations and persecution for the faith.

Conflict can be between individuals, or involve institutions both inside and outside the church.

I suppose that we could extend the idea of suffering for the Lord Jesus to include conflict within oneself as Christ offers us one way of life and Satan is luring us to another kind.

Wherever there is suffering for the sake of Christ, the true church is there.

Finally, Luther writes:

So, these are the seven marks which are signs of the true visible Church. Where you see and experience these marks, you see and experience a real church.

And these marks may also serve as the basis for the reform and renewal that is always being needed, not just once but over and over.

We are enlivened and encouraged when we hear that the new covenant of which Jeremiah preached is being imprinted upon our hearts and minds a bit more each time we gather here.

We are enlivened and renewed when we remember our Baptism daily and are drawn back to Christ's first promise to be faithful to us and our joyful response to it.

We are enlivened and fed when we gather regularly at his holy Table and share in the presence of the risen Lord Jesus.

We are enlivened and redirected when we can name our joys and sorrows in prayer, lift up our voices in song, and give away the burden of our sins and receive in its place the promise of Jesus “I love you, .... just because....”

And most mysterious of all, we are enlivened and comforted when we suffer for the sake of the Lord Jesus in small ways or large matters, for we come to know that life in all of its complexities, pains, and sorrows shall not be the death of us.

It is renewal and reform to eagerly grasp these seven marks of the church, to observe how they continue to shape us and to call us into the vision of God's future.

They bear the truth which sets us free;

they are the gift of God that justifies;

they give the new covenant written on our hearts. Amen.

Please note: The preceding sermon is provided as a resource for the thought, prayer, and meditation of the members and friends of St. Mark's. It is the residue of a verbal event, and thus it does not have academic footnotes and other details that would be expected in a written document. The writer gladly acknowledges the prior thought and work of many Christians before him.