The Communion of Saints
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Hebrews 11:1–12:2
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Today's online Scripture jigsaw
From the Confessions: The Apostles Creed
“...the communion of saints...”
Pulling It Together
The hall of faith in Hebrews 11 makes us consider all of those saints who have gone before us. Certainly this is no exhaustive list. After all, chapter 12 opens with a great cloud of witnesses, a stadium of spectators cheering on the Church throughout time as it runs the race (1Timothy 4:7). All of God's elect in that historic church are saints, people who are set apart for God's own purposes. We are of this communion, not because of the fine things we have done but, because Christ Jesus died to make us holy and acceptable (Romans 12:1) to God. The result of his sacrifice is a communion, a working together of the members of the Body of Christ for his glory. We are led and compelled in word and sacrament to be this fellowship of faithful people.
Community is not a solo event. It takes many saints to make a communion. The New Testament makes mention of the saints at Jerusalem, Lydda, Achaia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossus, saints in individual households including Caesar's household, as well as saints who were in prison. All of these saints and more are part of the great communion of saints that we confess to believe. We too, are part of this great communion through faith in God's grace.
Prayer: Give me the strength, Lord, to persevere and to keep your Name until the end, as all of your faithful saints have done. Amen
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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