Although the only point on which the Reformers differed was the manner in which the Lord is present at His table, the Roman theologians had already noticed the dissension and were doing their best to take advantage of it. The Protestant leaders began to realize that the loss of the oneness was weakening their stand against Rome.

The Protestant leaders began to realize that the loss of the oneness was weakening their stand against Rome.

For this reason Philip of Hesse convened a Conference of the leading Reformers in his castle at Marburg. There in October of 1529, Zwingli and Oecolampadius used the Scriptures, logic, and Christian love to try to help Luther to see their view the Lord's table, or at least to receive them as brothers in spite of their slight difference in teaching. Luther would not be swayed. Before they all left Marburg, however, Luther drew up fourteen articles on basic truths in the Bible—including a somewhat ambiguous statement concerning the Lord's table—which were signed by the leading theologians of both parties. Thus at least some indication of oneness among the Reformers was produced at this conference. Also, although Luther himself refused to receive it, some of those in the audience received much light concerning the Lord's table from Zwingli and Oecolampadius.