Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the "Communion of Saints" is a profound theological tenet that underscores the spiritual union between believers and God. This communion is not merely a fellowship among believers but is fundamentally rooted in the relationship between the saints and God Himself. The Bible provides numerous insights into this divine communion, emphasizing the intimate and transformative connection that believers share with their Creator.Biblical Foundation The communion of saints with God is grounded in the scriptural affirmation of God's desire for a personal relationship with His people. In the Old Testament, God establishes a covenantal relationship with Israel, signifying His commitment to dwell among them. Leviticus 26:12 states, "I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people." This promise of divine presence is a precursor to the fuller revelation of communion in the New Testament. In the New Testament, the communion of saints with God is most vividly expressed through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through His incarnation, death, and resurrection, Christ bridges the gap between humanity and God, enabling believers to enter into a direct and personal relationship with the Father. John 14:23 records Jesus' promise: "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." This indwelling presence of God is the essence of the communion of saints. The Role of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in facilitating the communion of saints with God. The Spirit is the divine agent who indwells believers, empowering them to live in fellowship with God. Romans 8:16 declares, "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." This testimony of the Spirit assures believers of their status as children of God and participants in the divine communion. Furthermore, the Spirit intercedes for believers, guiding them in prayer and aligning their hearts with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 states, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." Through the Spirit's intercession, believers are drawn into deeper communion with God. The Church as the Body of Christ The Church, as the Body of Christ, is the earthly manifestation of the communion of saints with God. Believers are united with Christ and, consequently, with one another, forming a spiritual community that reflects the divine relationship. Ephesians 2:19-22 describes this unity: "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit." This passage highlights the communal aspect of the saints' relationship with God, where each believer contributes to the spiritual edifice that is the Church, a dwelling place for God's presence. Eternal Communion The communion of saints with God is not limited to the present life but extends into eternity. Revelation 21:3 offers a glimpse of this eternal communion: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.'" This eschatological vision assures believers of the ultimate fulfillment of their communion with God, where they will experience His presence in its fullness forever. In summary, the communion of saints with God is a central theme in the Christian faith, encompassing the believer's relationship with the Triune God through Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and expressed within the community of the Church. This divine fellowship is both a present reality and a future hope, rooted in the promises of Scripture and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 John 1:3That which we have seen and heard declare we to you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Communion of Saints. Psalm 106 Part 1 Praise to God; Or, Communion with Saints. The Communion of Saints. Psalm 106:1. 1-5. First Part. Praise to God; Or, Communion with ... The Communion of Goods. The First Commandment --On the Honor and Invocation of Saints The Communion of Gifts. Union and Communion with God the End and Design of the Gospel All Saints' Day Argument. In the Former Books an Exposition Has Been Given of the ... Resources Is it acceptable to have communion outside of the church? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is there so much disagreement about holy communion? | GotQuestions.org What does "communion of the saints" mean in the ancient creeds? | GotQuestions.org Communion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Communion of Saints in Exhortation Communion of Saints in Holy Conversation Communion of Saints in Mutual Comfort and Edification Communion of Saints in Mutual Sympathy and Kindness Communion of Saints in Prayer for Each Other Communion of Saints in Public and Social Worship Communion of Saints in the Lord's Supper Communion of Saints is With: Each Other Communion of Saints is With: God Communion of Saints is With: Saints in Heaven Communion of Saints: According to the Prayer of Christ Communion of Saints: Christ is Present In Communion of Saints: Delight of Communion of Saints: Exhortation To Communion of Saints: God Marks, With his Approval Communion of Saints: Opposed to Communion With the Wicked Communion of Saints: The Church Communion of the Lord's Supper is the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ Communion of the Lord's Supper was Continually Partaken of, by the Church Communion of the Lord's Supper: Both Bread and Wine are Necessary to be Received In Communion of the Lord's Supper: Instituted Communion of the Lord's Supper: Newness of Heart and Life Necessary to the Worthy Partaking Communion of the Lord's Supper: Object of Communion of the Lord's Supper: Partakers of, be Wholly Separate to God Communion of the Lord's Supper: Prefigured Communion of the Lord's Supper: Self-Examination Commanded Before Partaking of Communion of the Lord's Supper: Unworthy Partakers of are Guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ Communion of the Lord's Supper: Unworthy Partakers of are Visited With Judgments Communion of the Lord's Supper: Unworthy Partakers of Discern not the Lord's Body Communion With God is Communion With the Father Communion With God is Communion With the Holy Spirit Communion With God is Communion With the Son Communion With God: Holiness Essential To Communion With God: Promised to the Obedient Communion With God: Reconciliation Must Precede Communion With God: Saints: Desire Communion With God: Saints: Have, in Meditation Communion With God: Saints: Have, in Prayer Communion With God: Saints: Have, in the Lord's Supper Communion With God: Saints: should Always Enjoy Related Terms |
    |