Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 25:98 (Apr 1868)
Article: Free Communion
Author: Sereno D. Clark

BSac 25:98 (April 1868) p. 209

Free Communion

Rev. Sereno D. Clark

Part II.—The Specific Principles And Canons Of Scripture Prescribing
And Regulating Church Fellowship

Section II.

The law of Free Sacramental Fellowship has its foundation not only in the spirit of the gospel, is not only demanded by the controlling principles of Christianity associated, as we have demonstrated in preceding Articles, but it strikes its roots into and grows out of the radical element of the visible church itself. This will appear if we consider what is its simple but comprehensive element; that which constitutes its vital function, without which the church dies, and with which, whatever its defects or maladies, it lives and is cherished by the Head as his own body.

The etymology of ἐκκλησία (church) is significant. Its root is ἐκκαλέω, meaning “to call out.” Signifying church, it means called out of the world and united to Christ (Bib. Sac. No. 95, p. 509), implying that her members constitute “a body corporate,” separated from the carnalities of human affinities, are God’s “peculiar people,” one in spirit with Christ their Lord, who is not of the world. This call of God to the soul, summoning men out of the world, is internal and

BSac 25:98 (April 1868) p. 210

external. There is a consciousness of the call and a profession of it. The visible church is composed of the called by profession. They are mutually known as the acknowledged servants of the Lord. They live with other men, but are distinct from them. Hence they constitute a brotherhood. All cannot meet in one place. Distinct societies must be formed in every part of Christendom; but this does not destroy their identity; they area fraternity still—Christ’s visible army, mustered under him for the conquest of the world. The holy supper is given to the keeping of each particular church, and yet the congruity of reciprocal love between the churches demands that it be held free to them all. This is free communion, and it flows directly from the very nature of the visible church, as the great company of the professedly called of God.

We reach the same result from the nature of the visible church by another process. The simple end which the Saviour has in view in relation to the individual Christian, is to bring him into communion with himself, and thus into communion with all resembling himself, till the perfect unity of the Redeemer and the redeemed is consummated at the Father’s right hand.

The distinctive design of the church is not to hinder or interrupt, but to promote, this individual communion with Christ and with the brethren. Hence, communion w...