Westminster Confession of Faith (American revision, 1788)

Chapter 26: Of the Communion of Saints

Westminster Assembly and Synod of New York and Philadelphia · PDF

Chapter 26: Of the Communion of Saints

Paragraph 26.1

All saints that are united to Jesus Christ their head, by his spirit and by faith, have fellowship with him 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, publick and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.

Paragraph 26.2

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, as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who, in every place, call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.

Paragraph 26.3

This communion which the saints have with Christ, doth not make them in any wise partakers of the substance of his godhead, or to be equal with Christ in any respect: Either of which to affirm, is impious and blasphemous. Nor doth their communion one with another, as saints, take away, or infringe the title or property which each man hath, in his goods and possessions.