Communion with God is a central theme in Christian theology, emphasizing the intimate relationship between the believer and the divine. This communion is inherently linked to communion with the Son, Jesus Christ, as He is the mediator between God and humanity. The New Testament provides a rich tapestry of passages that illustrate this profound connection.

Biblical Foundation

The Gospel of John presents a foundational understanding of this communion. In John 14:6 , Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." This statement underscores the necessity of Jesus as the conduit for communion with God. Through Christ, believers gain access to the Father, establishing a direct and personal relationship.

Furthermore, in John 15:4-5 , Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to describe this relationship: "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." This passage highlights the necessity of abiding in Christ to maintain communion with God, emphasizing the interdependence of the believer and the Son.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in facilitating this communion. In John 14:16-17 , Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit: "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you." The Spirit indwells believers, enabling them to experience the presence of Christ and, through Him, communion with God.

Union with Christ

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme in his epistles. In Galatians 2:20 , Paul writes, "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." This verse illustrates the believer's union with Christ, a mystical yet real participation in His life, death, and resurrection. Through this union, believers are brought into communion with God.

The Eucharist as Communion

The practice of the Eucharist, or the Lord's Supper, is a tangible expression of this communion. In 1 Corinthians 10:16 , Paul states, "Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?" The Eucharist serves as a means of grace, a sacramental participation in the life of Christ, reinforcing the believer's communion with both the Son and the Father.

The Transformative Power of Communion

Communion with God through the Son is transformative, leading to spiritual growth and sanctification. In 2 Corinthians 3:18 , Paul describes this transformation: "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." As believers commune with Christ, they are progressively conformed to His image, reflecting His character and glory.

Conclusion

Communion with God is inextricably linked to communion with the Son, Jesus Christ. Through Him, believers have access to the Father, are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and participate in the divine life. This communion is both a present reality and a future hope, as believers anticipate the fullness of this relationship in eternity.1 Corinthians 1:9
God is faithful, by whom you were called to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 John 1:3
That 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

Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Union and Communion with God the End and Design of the Gospel
... Now it is not simply the unity of the Father and the Son in essence that is here
meant, for ... But it is certainly the union and communion of God with Christ ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture ii union and communion.htm

Those whom God, According to his Purpose, Calls to the Communion ...
... Fifth Head of Doctrine Article 1 Those whom God, according to His purpose,
calls to the communion of His Son? Those whom God, according ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/various/the canons of dordt/article 1 those whom god.htm

Why it was the Son of God, and not the Father or the Spirit, that ...
... Further, the Son of God became man ... So then, after He had placed man in communion
with Himself (for having made him for incorruption [2263] , He led him up ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter iv why it was the.htm

The Communion of Saints.
... These thoughts of the Communion of the Christian with God"the Father and the
Son"would be incomplete, did we not also think of our Communion with the Holy ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter x the communion of.htm

The Future Judgment by Christ Communion with and Separation from ...
... But communion with God is life and light, and the enjoyment of all the benefits ... he
has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God;" that is ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxvii the future judgment by.htm

"And Truly Our Fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son,"
... created things, to communicate with the Father and the Son? And shall I go hence
without God and without ... down for the foundation of this communion, even your ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vi and truly our.htm

Appendix ii. The Order of the Communion
... beloved in the Lord, ye, coming to this holy Communion, must consider ... you must give
most humble and hearty thanks to God, the Father, the Son, and the ...
/.../luckock/studies in the book of common prayer/appendix ii the order of.htm

The Communion of Saints.
... The work of the Father is confessed first; that of the Son in the ... but among the
initiated children of God, whose life is from God; a communion the foretaste ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxv the communion of saints.htm

The Sinner's Need of Christ
... operation; the exceeding rewards for right-doing, the enjoyment of heaven, the society
of the angels, the communion and love of God and His Son, the elevation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 2 the sinners need.htm

First Communion and Confirmation
... in the garden of my soul her Son Jesus""the ... During my thanksgiving after Holy Communion
I often repeated this ... the Imitation of Christ: "O my God, who art ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/chapter iv - first communion.htm

Is it acceptable to have communion outside of the church? | GotQuestions.org

Why 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

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