212. What are the identifying characteristics of the Church?
The identifying marks that guarantee the presence of the Church are the pure proclamation of the Gospel and the right administration of the Sacraments. Where these are, the Spirit creates faith. God's Word of promise is sure and does what it says.
Isaiah 55:10-11 For as the rain and the snow come down from Heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them.
Eventual commentary
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