Divine Lexicon

Term

marks of the church

The distinguishing characteristics of a true church, usually identified in Protestantism as the right preaching of the Word and administration of sacraments.

Filed underEcclesiology

Definition

The distinguishing characteristics of a true church. In Protestant tradition, these have usually been recognized as the right preaching of the Word of God and the right administration of the sacraments (baptism and the Lord's Supper).

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See also

Sources

  1. 1.Wayne A. Grudem Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 2nd ed.. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020). 44B.1Original citation: Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020, 44B.1.

Last revised August 14, 2026