Enjoying The Communion Of Saints -- By: Mark Robinson

Journal: Reformed Presbyterian Theological Journal
Volume: RPTJ 02:1 (Fall 2015)
Article: Enjoying The Communion Of Saints
Author: Mark Robinson


Enjoying The Communion Of Saints

Mark Robinson

Director of Cross Cultural Initiatives at Covenant
Community church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Q. 63. What are the special privileges of the visible church?

A. The visible church hath the privilege of being under God’s special care and government; of being protected and preserved in all ages, notwithstanding the opposition of all enemies; and of enjoying the communion of saints, the ordinary means of salvation, and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel, testifying, that whosoever believes in him shall be saved, and excluding none that will come unto him. (Westminster Larger Catechism)

Introduction

It is a glorious and special privilege of the visible church to enjoy the communion of saints. This article aims to address that joyful communion. Of course, to frame it around joy is to make our communion more than a matter of bare theological assertion. It is to bring it into the realm of the affections1 or Christian experience. Implied is that our union with Christ, expressed in our communion with one another, should move from ‘doctrina’ to ‘pietas’, from confessional theological statement to a practical lively orthodoxy. If, as our catechetical heritage teaches, man’s chief end is the eternal enjoyment of our triune God, and the communion of saints is the outworking of the most central2 and basic aspect of God’s saving work—union and communion with Christ – then the communion of saints is something to be eminently enjoyed. More than merely a good thing, the communion of saints is a joyful thing.

We will consider the connection between our joy and its object, in this case, the communion of saints. Specifically, we will examine the spiritual fruit of joy, a framework for enjoying our communion, and how we practically respond.

Roots Of Our Union And Communion Joy

Law Command

There is little question that joy has a foundational place in Christian experience. Repeatedly, the Old Testament enjoins believers to joy. “[L]et Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad” (Psalm 53:6);

“Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!” (Ps 97:12); “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118:24). Similarly, the New Testament puts forward Christian joy as characteristic of a genuine Chr...

You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
Click here to subscribe
visitor : : uid: ()