Article 19

Of the signs of the church of God, by which it may be distinguished from all other peoples, we confess the following: In the first place, all true Christians are known by the only saving faith, which works by love. It is wrought, through the grace of God, in the heart of man by the hearing of the Word of God, and hence is not founded and built upon human decrees, but upon the Word of God alone; and it works so effectively that by it we are drawn and impelled from all visible things and sinful lusts of this world to the invisible God and His heavenly riches.

Secondly. All true children of God are known by the second or new birth, from above, of God; which is wrought by the Spirit of God internally in the heart, through the putting off of the sinful lusts of the flesh; so that, as man, through his first birth of the flesh, brings forth his human nature and mind, so, through regeneration, he becomes a partaker of the divine nature, by which he is also to bring forth godly and spiritual fruits, and the mind of Christ Jesus.

Thirdly. The church, or the believers, are known by the good works which they show as fruits of gratitude from their faith; which may not be done according to human instructions, in a self-selected holiness, but in which we follow Christ and His apostles, as they prescribed and walked. And with these divine virtues all true believers must be clothed, so that, as a light on the candlestick, and a city on a hill, they may excel and shine among all men, and may be known by this, as a good tree is known and distinguished by its good fruits.

Fourthly. The church of God is known by the glorious names by which she is described and honored by the Holy Spirit: as a city and temple of the living God, in which God will dwell and walk; the bride of the Lamb; the daughter of Zion; a chaste virgin, joined to Christ by faith; so that, just as all cities are subject to the command of their Lord and king, and it may properly be known by this under whose power and dominion they belong, so also the church of God is known by this, that she recognizes and obeys Christ Jesus as her only Head and King in all matters of faith, and observes His commandments. And as a pure virgin and bride forsakes father, mother, and all strange company, and subjects herself to the will and obedience of her only bridegroom, so all true children of God must separate themselves from all false worship, flee from the stranger's voice, and unite themselves to Christ, to hear and obediently follow His voice, which is proclaimed by the ministers sent by Him.

Fifthly. The people of God are known by their faithful ministers, who, according to the doctrine of Paul, are blameless in doctrine and life, and feed the sheep of Christ, not for the milk and the wool, but with a willing mind, with knowledge and understanding; speaking not their own words, but only the words of their Lord, and carrying out His work; rightly dividing and dispensing the Word of God, and bringing forth fruits with it; so that through this good message of the ways of the Lord men might, according to the counsel and will of God, be converted from their evil ways, and won to God.

Sixthly, and lastly. All true disciples of Jesus Christ are known by the unfeigned godly love which our Savior Himself has set as a sign by which His disciples should be specially known; which is comprehended in these things: That we love the Lord God our Creator with all our heart and strength, above all other things, which consists chiefly in the keeping of His commandments. And besides: That we love our brothers or neighbors as ourselves, not only in word or tongue, but in deed and in truth; so that those to whom God has given spiritual gifts minister with them, out of love, to the souls of their neighbors; and those whom God has blessed with temporal possessions minister with them to the temporal needs of their neighbors, so that thus among this true Israel of God there may be found no poor, nor any lack in spiritual or temporal things. Finally, we must show charity to all men, though they be our open enemies, who persecute and kill us, whom we may by no means resist with carnal weapons; but, as Christ did not open His mouth in revenge upon His enemies, but, as a humble and silent lamb, prayed for them, so we must also follow this infallible example. And as all soldiers leave their former occupation, and wear the livery of their lord and king, as a sign to distinguish them from all strange servants, and that they are bound to their captain even to death; so also must all true servants of Jesus Christ be armed with the marks named above, that by them they may be known and distinguished from all other people.

Where, therefore, men believe with the heart in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and in the incarnation, justification or redemption, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, and the resurrection of the dead and the eternal judgment; and where, besides, the ordinances of the Lord, as baptism, Supper, separation, and the like, are rightly observed, according to Scripture, and Christ is followed in them, in the clean fear of the Lord, and in the regeneration—there is the city and church of the living God, the pillar and firm ground of the truth, the tabernacle of God with men, in which God will dwell and walk with His Spirit. [n544-1] Such a body [church] has Christ for its Head, Preserver, and Savior. But where these marks do not exist, and where the ordinances of men are the rule of action, there is no church of God, but a vain boasting of it.

How the true faith is to be known, read: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10, verse 17.

"He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." John 7, verse 28. [n544-2]

"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." First Corinthians 2, verse 5.

"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love." Galatians 5, verse 6; Hebrews 11, verse 1; Habakkuk 2, verse 4; Hebrews 10, verse 38; Romans 1, verse 17.

How the children of God are to be known by regeneration or the new birth, read: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever." First Peter 1, verse 23.

"Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, That you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Matthew 19, verse 28.

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." Galatians 6, verse 15; John 3, verse 8; Second Corinthians 5, verse 17.

How the true members of Christ are to be known from their godly manner of life, read: "Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you shall know them. Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven." [n544-3] Matthew 7, verses 19 to 21; 5, verse 16; 12, verse 50; John 15, verse 1; Sirach 19, verse 24.

"Do all things without murmuring and disputing: that you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life." Philippians 2, verses 14 to 16.

"Little children, let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that commits sin is of the devil." First John 3, verses 7 and 8.

How the people of God are to be known from this, that they have separated themselves from all other people, and put themselves under Christ their Head, hearing only His voice, and observing His commandments, read: "Therefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: you cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils." First Corinthians 10, verses 14 and 21.

"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion has light with darkness? Therefore come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing." Second Corinthians 6, verses 14 and 17; Revelation 18, verse 4; Isaiah 52, verse 11; Jeremiah 15, verse 19; 51, verse 6.

"As I said to you, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him; for they do not know the voice of strangers." John 10, verses 26, 27, and 5.

"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." Matthew 28, verse 20; Second Thessalonians 2, verse 15; John 8, verse 31; 14, verse 21; 15, verse 10; Matthew 11, verse 28; First John 3, verse 7.

How the false prophets are to be known and distinguished from the true servants of Jesus Christ, read: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits." Matthew 7, verses 15 and 16; Deuteronomy 13, verse 1. [n544-4]

"He that speaks of himself seeks his own glory: but he that seeks his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him." John 7, verse 18.

"For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God." John 3, verse 34; 8, verse 31; First Peter 4, verse 11.

"But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings." Jeremiah 23, verses 22 and 31; Isaiah 55, verse 11; Matthew 23 throughout; Colossians 1, verse 6; read also Titus 1, verse 6; First Timothy 3 throughout.

How Christians are to be known by their love, read: "A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another." John 13, verses 34 and 35; First John 3, verse 23.

"In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that does not love his brother." First John 3, verse 10; 15, verse 12; Matthew 22, verse 39; Ephesians 5, verse 2; First Peter 1, verse 22; Second Peter 1, verse 7. [n544-5]