1 International journal for the Study of the Christian Church Vol. X, No. X, Month 200X, 000–000 Notae ecclesiae in Luther’s Von den Konziliis und Kirchen Knut Alfsvåg School of Mission and Theology, Stavanger, Norway 1 Abstract In times of crisis, the quest for the true church comes in focus. In Luther’s most important contribution to this question, Von den Konziliis und Kirchen, he rejects the idea that the history of Fathers and Councils could be the solution, though the Councils are significant as defence of the biblical faith. Luther rather identifies the true church as the place where the Spirit sanctifies the believers through the word of God, which is the most important notum ecclesiae. The presence of the divine as fact and goal is thus what characterises the true church. Keywords: Martin Luther; ecclesiology; notae ecclesiae; ecumenism 1. Email: knut.alfsvaag@mhs.no