The Highway Forums Resources Creeds and Confessions Heidelberg Catechism Question 54: What believest thou concerning the "holy catholic church" of Christ

III. What are the marks of the true church?

There are three marks, or signs, by which the true church may always be known.

1. A profession of the true, pure, and rightly understood doctrine of the law and the gospel, which is the same thing as the doctrine of the prophets and the apostles.

2. The right and proper use of the sacraments. One of the objects of the sacraments, is to distinguish the true church of God from all the various sects and heretics.

3. The profession of obedience to this doctrine, or to the ministry.

These three things which are always found in connection with the true church, are contained in the declaration of Christ, where he says: “Go ye, and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matt. 28: 19.) It behooves us to hold fast to these marks for the glory of God, that his enemies may be distinguished from his children; and also for our salvation, that we may associate ourselves with the true church.

Obj. 1. But there have always been great errors, public and private, found in the church.
Ans. But the true foundation has always been preserved, upon which some have built gold, and others straw. Nor has the church ever defended these errors. Hence the mere fact that errors have been found in the church, does not conflict with what we have said in regard to the marks of the true church.

Obj. 2. But there have also been great and aggravated sins committed in many of the churches professing the true doctrine of God’s word. Therefore obedience is not a mark of the true church.
Ans. But there are many in these same churches, who do yield, and who strive to yield obedience to the requirements of God’s word; and who confess and acknowledge their sins, so that these things are not defended, but deplored by the church. It is also necessary that we should add obedience to the requirements of God’s word, as one of the marks of the true church, lest God should be mocked by those who might say that they receive the doctrine of Christ and are yet unwilling to live in accordance with it.

Obj. 3. But Heretics and Schismatics also arrogate unto themselves these marks of the true church.
Ans. It is, however, not to be enquired whether they claim them for themselves; but whether they really possess them.

Obj 4. That which is necessary to the existence of the church is also a mark of it. The ordinary succession of ministers, is necessary to the existence of the church in the world. Therefore this is also a mark of the true church.
Ans. If the ordinary succession here spoken of be understood of the succession of the ministry in the same true doctrine of the church, and administration of the sacraments, it is true, for such a succession does not differ from the marks of the church which we have specified. But if by ordinary succession be meant a succession in the same place, whether they teach the same or different doctrines, and if it be regarded as tying or restricting the church to a certain place, city, region, &c., it is false.