On the Councils and the Church

On the Councils and the Church (1539) is a treatise on ecclesiology written by Protestant reformer Martin Luther late in life.

On the Councils and the Church is best known for its teaching, in the third part of the book, of the "seven marks of the Church", of which the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church can be recognized. These marks are:

1. holy word of God, effective means of grace
2. holy sacrament of baptism, regeneration
3. holy sacrament of the altar
4. office of keys exercised publicly, although not the office of pope. Includes also private confession as a means of grace.
5. it consecrates or calls ministers, or has offices, that is, to administer, bishops, pastors, preachers, but not women.
6. prayer, public praise, and thanksgiving to God, the liturgy
7. holy possession of the sacred cross, suffering and carrying the cross as followers of Christ.

English translation

Luther's Works: vol. 41

See also

• Four Marks of the Church

External links

• Authority of Councils and Churches. tr. by C.B. Smyth. London: William Edward Painter, 1847.

Martin Luther Works A Sermon on Indulgences and Grace "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" On War Against the Turk Large Catechism Luther Bible On the Bondage of the Will On the Freedom of a Christian On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church Small Catechism The Adoration of the Sacrament The Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ—Against the Fanatics Theology of the Cross The Ninety-Five Theses To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation Confession Concerning Christ's Supper On Secular Authority Formula missae Deutsche Messe Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants Smalcald Articles On the Jews and Their Lies Vom Schem Hamphoras On the Councils and the Church Topics Augsburg Confession Decet Romanum Pontificem Diet of Worms Exsurge Domine Lutheranism Luther rose Sacramental union Marian theology Antisemitism Words of Institution Propaganda during the Reformation Theology of Martin Luther Two kingdoms People Albert of Mainz Bartholomaeus Arnoldi Desiderius Erasmus Georg Rörer Johann Cochlaeus Johann von Staupitz Justus Jonas Hans and Margarethe Luther Karl von Miltitz Katharina von Bora Philipp Melanchthon Pope Leo X Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick the Wise