Chapter XXVI - Of the Communion of Saints
I. All saints, that are united to Jesus Christ their Head, by His Spirit, and by faith, have fellowship with Him in His grace, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory:(1 John 1:3, Eph 3:16-19, John 1:16, Eph 2:5-6, Phil 3:10, Rom 6:5-6, 2 Tim 2:12) and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other's gifts and graces,(Eph 4:15-16, 1 Cor 12:7, 3:21-23, Col 2:19) and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.(1 Thes 5:11, 14, Rom 1:11-12, 14, 1 John 3:16-18, Gal 6:10)
II. Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification;(Heb 10:24-25, Acts 2:42, 46, Isa 2:3, 1 Cor 11:20) as also in relieving each other in outward things, according to their several abilities and necessities. Which communion, as God offers opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who, in every place, call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.(Acts 2:44-45, 1 John 3:17, 2 Cor 8-9, Acts 11:29-30)
III. This communion which the saints have with Christ, does not make them in any wise partakers of the substance of His Godhead; or to be equal with Christ in any respect: either of which to affirm is impious and blasphemous.(Col 1:18-19, 1 Cor 8:6, Isa 42:8, 1 Tim 6:15-16, Psa 45:7, Heb 1:8-9) Nor does their communion one with another, as saints, take away, or infringe the title or propriety which each man has in his goods and possessions.(Ex 20:15, Eph 4:28, Acts 5:4)
Table of Contents
- Chapter I Of the Holy Scripture
- Chapter II Of God, and of the Holy Trinity
- Chapter III Of God's Eternal Decree
- Chapter IV Of Creation
- Chapter V Of Providence
- Chapter VI Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and the Punishment thereof
- Chapter VII Of God's Covenant with Man
- Chapter VIII Of Christ the Mediator
- Chapter IX Of Free Will
- Chapter X Of Effectual Calling
- Chapter XI Of Justification
- Chapter XII Of Adoption
- Chapter XIII Of Sanctification
- Chapter XIV Of Saving Faith
- Chapter XV Of Repentance unto Life
- Chapter XVI Of Good Works
- Chapter XVII Of the Perseverance Of the Saints
- Chapter XVIII Of Assurance Of Grace and Salvation
- Chapter XIX Of the Law Of God
- Chapter XX Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty Of Conscience
- Chapter XXI Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day
- Chapter XXII Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
- Chapter XXIII Of the Civil Magistrate
- Chapter XXIV Of Marriage and Divorce
- Chapter XXV Of the Church
- Chapter XXVI Of the Communion Of Saints
- Chapter XXVII Of the Sacraments
- Chapter XXVIII Of Baptism
- Chapter XXIX Of the Lord's Supper
- Chapter XXX Of Church Censures
- Chapter XXXI Of Synods and Councils
- Chapter XXXII Of the State Of Men after Death, and Of the Resurrection Of the Dead
- Chapter XXXIII Of the Last Judgment