1. A Basic Study of the Apostle’s Creed Prepared for us of the Anglican Orthodox Church by Bishop Jerry Ogles PART V

3. So, we believe in the Communion of Saints? We must believe it for we say that we do in worship with each repetition of the Apostles’ Creed. If we neither believe it not even know what it means, that would definitely border on bearing false witness. Of course, it is easy to understand the Communion we bear with the Lord at each Lord’s Supper, as well as that mutual Communion we enjoy with each other during the Supper; but does our meaning of communion end with that boundary of Communion?

4. The long line of Holy Communion extends through every race, nation, tribe, sex, and age. But it is also not limited by time or distance.

5. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” Heb 12:1 (KJV) This great cloud of witnesses are those above us in the glories. It is comprised of those who are witnesses, though not present and currently aware, who have persevered in the faith from the early pillars of the Church. They are some martyrs, some mothers who raised up great ministers and Children of God, etc.

6. Bible commentary on the Communion of the Saints: Acts 2:42 ”And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” 10 That fellowship which Jesus established with His Apostles on the last night of His earthly ministry, and that was continued by the Apostles and their successors to our time, is the doctrine and fellowship that we observe in taking the elements of the Lord’s Supper – Bread and Wine. Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! In our partaking of the Supper, we are united with the Body of Christ – past present and future.

7. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. “ Heb 10:23-27 (KJV) It is a responsibility of the believers to assemble together in worship and, especially, at times of Holy Communion; and to build each other up, and not tear one another down. We need, too, to recall that the definition of sin is transgression of the Law of God. We are commanded to obey. We are not saved unto disobedience to God!

8. Considering the verses just read, three key ideas come out of this: Fellowship means being a part of a group, a body of people. Fellowship means having or sharing with others certain things in common. Fellowship can indicate a partnership, which involves people working together.

10. Purpose of Fellowship is expressed in the following way: “Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.” Phil 1:7 (KJV) Do we have one another in our hearts as Jesus has US in His Heart? Do we bicker and complain at every gnat of teaching and, yet, swallow whole camels of false doctrine? We are joined together as ONE in Christ. Such disunity is an affront to His Holy Majesty.

11. COMMUNION is broken by disunity. So how can we assure unity? That is a simple matter: Simply adhere closely to the very Words of Holy Scripture. If there is disunity, it may be because of false teaching early in a believers life which he now feels to be Gospel truth even if it is the very opposite of what the Gospels say. Let all controversy be settled in Scripture, not erroneous teachings. We are to contend for the faith according to Jude 1:3, and never compromise on truth for the sake of peace.

12. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jude 1:3 (KJV)

13. “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” James 5:16 There is only one way to be One with Christ – that is to AGREE with His Word in all cases.

14. The consummation of our fellowship and Communion are most abundantly expressed in our joining together in the Holy communion of our Lord. In Holy Communion (Lord’s Supper) we partake of One Bread (Body of Christ) and One Cup (the Blood of Christ). By the power of the Holy Ghost, Christ is present in the Supper. He is with us always, but most particularly and expressly during the supper of the Lord. So, when we say that we believe in the Communion of Saints, do we believe all that is conveyed by the words? Next lesson – the Forgiveness of sins………