What Is the Communion of the Saints?
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That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. — 1 John 1:3
When saying the Apostles’ Creed, which is an historical, concise, and biblical summary of the Christian faith, we state that we believe in “the communion of saints.” What does this mean?
Believers have a communion with Jesus Christ that overflows with blessings.
The Heidelberg Catechism, a highly regarded summary of the Christian faith that was first published in 1563, states:
Q. What do you understand by the communion of saints?
A. First, that believers, all and everyone, as members of Christ have communion with him and share in all his treasures and gifts. Second, that everyone is duty-bound to use his gifts readily and cheerfully for the benefit and well-being of the other members. (Heidelberg Catechism, Q & A 55)
All Christians have a life-giving connection and fellowship with Christ through the Holy Spirit. Because we belong to Christ, our sins are forgiven, we have Christ’s righteousness counted as our own, we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the promise to be where Christ is in eternity. Because we are united to Christ, we share in the treasures and gifts that Christ gives.
Christians are called to share the gifts God has given them with fellow believers for God’s glory.
The first treasure is Christ himself. Other treasures (or, in the words of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, “benefits”) include, “assurance of God’s love, joy in the Holy Ghost [Spirit], increase of grace, peace of conscience, and perseverance therein to the end.” (WSC Q&A 36). Faithful pastors are also a precious gift we should treasure:
“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jer. 3:15)
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (Eph. 4:11-12)
Believers have a communion with Jesus Christ that overflows with blessings. Rejoice that not only do you have these gifts but also that God has established in his loving wisdom bodies of local believers with whom he calls you to share these gifts, so that you all might be strengthened and protected in Christ Jesus.
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Ayrian Yasar, a Washington State native, holds a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Westminster Seminary California. Besides theology and Hebrew, she enjoys nature, theater, music, art, Seahawks football, cooking with her husband, gardening, and dreaming about owning a coffee shop. She currently lives in Florida with her husband Rev. Z. Bulut Yasar (OPC). Ayrian is associate editor of Beautiful Christian Life.
