Introduction to the Communion of the Saints

One of the phrases contained in the Apostles' Creed is "I believe in...the communion of the saints." The word "communion" here is not a reference to the Lord's Supper but to the relationship Christians have to Christ and, through him, to one another. Recall our recent discussion of the visible and invisible Church.

Another creedal phrase describing the Church comes from the Nicene Creed, where we read, "one holy, catholic, and apostolic church." The emphasis here--as it is in Ephesians 4:4-6, which is useful to read at this point--is on the unity of the church and the faith she holds and proclaims. But is the church truly one? Certainly the church today does not have organizational unity. Here the concepts of visible and invisible Church apply once more. The essence of church unity is the union of all Christians with Christ, and that unity is enunciated in our common confession of the biblical gospel. In this manner, we can affirm that Christ's prayer (John 17:20-23) has proven effective.

Tomorrow: The Confession's introductory words on communion of the saints.