Of the Communion of Saints, XXVI:2

Saints by profession are bound to maintain a holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification; 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.

The outworking of our common identity in Christ and our relationship in him to one another falls into three main spheres:

1. Fellowship and communion in worship. The regular gathering together of the body of Christ in worship is the primary and most important characteristic of the Church. As we jointly worship God in spirit and in truth we glorify him and edify one another. Furthermore, we encourage one another in steadfastness. Together we partake of God's graces in the hearing of the preached Word and the observance of the sacraments.

2. Meeting each other's spiritual needs. These we do whenever we encourage one another in Christ by reminding ourselves of God's precious promises, by reading his Word together, by praying and intereceding for one another, and by helping one another out of doubts and poor doctrine.

3. Meeting each other's physical and material needs. Each Christian has a responsibility to his brother to make sure that no one in the body has need of food, clothing, shelter, transportation, or any of the essentials of human life. This is as much a Christian duty as the spiritual works we do for one another--see James 2:14ff. for hard words concerning those who neglect such things.

These ways of working out our common union with and in Christ extend to all who profess his name wherever they may be scattered across this globe. It is certainly important to take care of the local body, but we must not neglect our brothers in need elsewhere. At the very least we must pray for them; whenever possible we must do what we can to lighten their burdens.

Tomorrow: Necessary qualifications.