The Nicene Creed was written centuries ago to help Christians remember the important beliefs of the faith. In the Nicene Creed we identify the four marks of the Church. The four marks of the Church are not characteristics that the Church creates or develops or learns. They are qualities that Jesus Christ shares with his Church through the Holy Spirit. The four marks of the Church are that it is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.
The Church Is One
Just as God is one in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so also is the Church one. The founder of the Church is Jesus Christ, who brought us back to God and made us into the family of God. The Church is one in the Holy Spirit, who dwells in those who believe.
The Church Is Holy
The Church is holy because the Church lives in union with Jesus Christ, the source of holiness. Through the Holy Spirit the Church leads others to holiness. The holiness of the Church is seen in the love that the members of the Church have toward one another and the many sacrifices they make for the sake of the world.
The Church Is Catholic
Catholic means “universal.” The Church is universal in two ways. First, the Church is catholic because all baptized people are part of the Church and the Church possesses the means of salvation. Second, the mission of the Church is universal because the Church has been sent to proclaim Christ to the entire human race.
The Church Is Apostolic
The Church traces its tradition directly from the apostles; therefore, the Church is considered apostolic. With the Holy Spirit the Church preserves and continues the teaching of the apostles. The pope and bishops are the successors of the apostles.
The Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. These are the Marks of the Church
the Marks of the Church
The four marks of the Church are not characteristics that the Church creates or develops or learns. They are qualities that Jesus Christ shares with his Church through the Holy Spirit. The four marks of the Church are that it is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.
The four marks of the Church are not characteristics that the Church creates or develops or learns. They are qualities that Jesus Christ shares with his Church through the Holy Spirit. The four marks of the Church are that it is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.
The chief marks of the Church are four: It is one, holy, catholic or universal, and apostolic. (a) Sacred Scripture teaches that the one true Church of Christ must have these marks. (b) The marks of the Church are themselves an indication that God guides the Church.
The four marks are the words we profess every Sunday in the Creed: “I believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 811).
Among the Reformed churches, eventually three marks were identified: faithful preaching of the Word, faithful administration of the sacraments, and faithful exercise of discipline. In focusing on the marks of the church, the Reformers were not saying that all a good church needs to have are the marks of the church.
The first mark of the Church refers to her unity, which is safeguarded by the Holy Spirit, and follows the prayer of Jesus from the Last Supper: "May all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (John 17:21).
If the Church possessing the mark of “One” seems contentious, how about her claim of a second mark: “Holy?” By holy, we mean something that is set apart for the service of God, something that is not profane or ordinary.
The eagle represents worship, the lion represents prayer, the man represents grace, and the ox represents servanthood and humility. These are four things that every church must have to be balanced and healthy.
In this series, Alistair Begg walks us through these seven marks: the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the sacraments, prayer, mutual care, worship, and continuous evangelism. While no church will ever master all of these elements, they should be the goals to which church leaders guide their people.
How is each mark being displayed by your parish church or by the universal Church? The four marks of the Church are one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. One is displayed in my parish because we all share the same convictions, visions, values, and goals. Holy is displayed in my parish because we all believe in Jesus.
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