Communion of Sainctes. / Why the churche is called vniuersall. / Cōmuniō of saints.
The Master's Question
The Master asks why belief in the holy universal church and communion of saints follows from the teaching on the Holy Spirit.
Master. Well, you've now said enough about the Holy Spirit.1 But this is what I'd like to hear from you: why it immediately follows that we believe in the holy universal church and the communion of saints.
The Scholar's Answer
The Scholar explains that the church is gathered and governed by the Holy Spirit, is universal across all regions, and is a communion of saints knit together in Christ.
Scholar. I've always thought these two things are most fittingly joined together, because the fellowships and corporations of other people proceed and are governed by other means and policies; but the church, which is an assembly of people called to everlasting salvation, is both gathered together and governed by the Holy Spirit, whom we've just mentioned. And since this cannot be perceived by bodily sense or by the light of nature, it is rightly and for good reason counted here among the things that are known by faith. And therefore this gathering of the faithful is called universal, because it is bound to no one particular place. For throughout all the regions of the world, God has those who worship him.✦2 And though they are scattered far apart across different countries and dominions, they are still members most closely joined of that same body of which Christ is the head; and they have one Spirit, faith, Sacraments, prayers, forgiveness of sins, and heavenly bliss in common; and they are so knit together by the bond of love that they devote themselves to nothing more than helping one another and building together in Christ.✦✦✦3
Read the original English
Master. Wel, thou hast now said sufficiently of the holly ghost. But thys woulde I heare of thee: why it immediatelye foloweth, that we beleue the holye vniuersall churche and the communiō of Sayntes.
Scholer. These two thinges I haue alwai thoght to be most fitly coupled togither, Because the felowshyppes and incorporacions of other men, procede and be gouerned by other meanes & policies: but the church whyche is an assemble of men called to euerlastinge saluacion, is bothe gathered together, & gouerned by the holy ghost of whom we euē now made mention. Which thyng, sith it can not be perceiued bi bodily sense or light of nature, is by right and for good rea son, heare reckened amonge thynges that are knowē by beleife. And thearfore thys calling togither of the faith full is called vniuersall, because it is bonde to no one speciall place. For God thorowout al costes of y• world, hath them that worshyppe hym. Whych thoughe they be far scattered a sonder, by diuerse distāce of countries, and dominions: yet ar they members most nearlye ioyned of that same bodi, wherof Christe is the heade: and haue one spirit, fayth, sacramētes, prayers, forgiuenesse of sinnes, and heauēly blisse, common among them all: and be so knyt with the bōd of loue, that they e…deuour thēselues in nothyng more, than eche to help other, and to build together in Christ.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Mal.1.11;John.4.23;Acts.10.34-Acts.10.35 — For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts. John.4.23 — But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. For the Father seeks such as these to worship him. Acts.10.34 — Then Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I understand that God is not one who shows partiality. Acts.10.35 — but in every nation the one who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him
- ↩Eph.4.4-Eph.4.5 — There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope of your calling. Eph.4.5 — one Lord, one faith, one baptism
- ↩Col.3.14 — And over all these put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
- ↩Eph.2.20-Eph.2.22 — built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone Eph.2.21 — in whom the entire building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; Eph.2.22 — in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Notes
John Ponet's Short Catechisme (1553) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit