159 – Marks of the Church

MARKS OF THE CHURCH

  § 159. Since, wherever the Gospel is preached and the sacraments are administered,1 the invisible Church of Christ is sure to be,2 the preaching of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments are the unfailing marks of the existence of the invisible Church.

1. Since, wherever the Gospel is preached and the sacraments are administered,…

  Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

2. …the preaching of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments are the unfailing marks of the existence of the invisible Church.

  Isaiah 55:10–11 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

  Mark 16:15–16 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.