Q55. What do you understand by the communion of saints?

Romans 8:32

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

1 Corinthians 6:17

“But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.”

1 Corinthians 12:4–7, 12–13

“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

1 John 1:3

“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

Romans 12:4–8

“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, on ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

1 Corinthians 12:20–27

“But now many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely have more abundant comeliness. For our comely have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

1 Corinthians 13:1–7

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed , and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

Philippians 2:4–8

“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”