1. All saints are united to Jesus Christ their head by his Spirit and by faith, although this does not make them one person with him. They have fellowship in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory.1 Since they are united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces2 and are obligated to carry out these duties, both public and private, in an orderly way to promote their mutual good, both in the inner and outer aspects of their lives.3
11 John 1:3; John 1:16; Philippians 3:10; Romans 6:5, 6. 2Ephesians 4:15, 16; 1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Corinthians 3:21–23. 31 Thessalonians 5:11, 14; Romans 1:12; 1 John 3:17, 18; Galatians 6:10.
2. Saints by profession are obligated to maintain a holy fellowship and communion in worshiping God and in performing other spiritual services that promote their mutual edification.4 They are to aid each other in material things according to their various abilities and needs.5 They should especially exercise communion in the relationships they have in their families6 and churches.7 Yet the rule of the gospel also directs them, as God provides opportunity, to extend their sharing to the whole household of faith, to all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus. Nevertheless, their communion with one another as saints does not take away or infringe on the title or individual ownership that people have in their goods and possessions.8
4Hebrews 10:24, 25; Hebrews 3:12, 13. 5Acts 11:29, 30. 6Ephesians 6:4. 71 Corinthians 12:14–27. 8Acts 5:4; Ephesians 4:28.
