Modern 1689 Confession

 Original

Reeves

Chapter 27: Of the Communion of Saints

1. All saints that are united to Jesus Christ, their head, by his Spirit, and faith, although they are not made thereby one person with him, have fellowship in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory; and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each others gifts and graces, and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, in an orderly way, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.

( 1 John 1:3; John 1:16; Philippians 3:10; Romans 6:5, 6; Ephesians 4:15, 16; 1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14; Romans 1:12; 1 John 3:17, 18; Galatians 6:10 )

2. 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; as also in relieving each other in outward things according to their several abilities, and necessities; which communion, according to the rule of the gospel, though especially to be exercised by them, in the relation wherein they stand, whether in families, or churches, yet, as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended to all the household of faith, even all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus; nevertheless their communion one with another as saints, doth not take away or infringe the title or propriety which each man hath in his goods and possessions.

( Hebrews 10:24, 25; Hebrews 3:12, 13; Acts 11:29, 30; Ephesians 6:4; 1 Corinthians 12:14-27; Acts 5:4; Ephesians 4:28 )

Chapter 27

The Communion of Saints

1. All saints are united to Jesus Christ their head by his Spirit and by faith, although this does not make them one person with him.  They have fellowship in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory.¹  Since they are united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces² and are obligated to carry out these duties, both public and private, in an orderly way to promote their mutual good, both in the inner and outer aspects of their lives.³

¹1 John 1:3; John 1:16; Philippians 3:10; Romans 6:5, 6. ²Ephesians 4:15, 16; 1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Corinthians 3:21-23. ³1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14; Romans 1:12; 1 John 3:17, 18; Galatians 6:10.

2. Saints by profession are obligated to maintain a holy fellowship and communion in worshiping God and in performing other spiritual services that promote their mutual edification.⁴  They are to aid each other in material things according to their various abilities and needs.⁵  They should especially exercise communion in the relationships they have, in their families⁶ and churches.⁷  Yet the rule of the gospel also directs them, as God provides opportunity, to extend their sharing to the whole household of faith, to all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.  Nevertheless, their communion with one another as saints does not take away or infringe on the title or individual ownership that people have in their goods and possessions.⁸

⁴Hebrews 10:24, 25; Hebrews 3:12, 13. ⁵Acts 11:29, 30. ⁶Ephesians 6:4. ⁷1 Corinthians 12:14-27. ⁸Acts 5:4; Ephesians 4:28.