Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.65. What special benefits do the members of the invisible church enjoy by Christ?
A. The members of the invisible church by Christ enjoy union and communion with him in grace and glory [e].
Ephesians 2:5-6 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Ver.6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.66. What is that union which the elect have with Christ?
A. The union which the elect have with Christ is the work of God’s grace [f], whereby they are spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably, joined to Christ as their head and husband [g]; which is done in their effectual calling [h].
[f] Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Ephesians 2:6-8 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Ver.7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ver.8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[g] 1 Corinthians 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Ver.30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
[h] 1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 26
I. All saints, that are united to Jesus Christ their Head, by His Spirit, and by faith, have fellowship with Him in His grace, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory [a]: and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces [b], and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man [c].
[a] 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 is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; ver.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, Ver.18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; Ver.19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Ver.6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.
Romans 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Ver.6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.
[b] Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Ver.16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1 Corinthians 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Ver.22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; Ver.23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God’s.
Colossians 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
[c] 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. Ver.14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; Ver.12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Ver.14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Ver.17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? Ver.18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
End of Lesson, Day 101
For Further Study:
CHAPTER XXVI. - Of the Communion of Saints - Commentary by Gordon H. ClarkChapter XXVI. Of Communion of Saints - Exposition by Robert Shaw
Chapter 26: Of Communion of Saints - Commentary by A.A. Hodge
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