Clause 9

The holy Catholick Church; The Communion of Saints;

Related (4)

An Orthodox Catechism (1680), which expounds this clause

Question 53

What believest thou concerning the Holy and Catholick Church of Christ?

I believe that the Son of God doth from the beginning of the World to the End thereof, gather, defend, and preserve unto himself by his Spirit and Word, out of whole Mankind, a Company chosen to everlasting Life, and agreeing in true Faith; and that I am a lively Member of that Company, and so shal remain for ever.

Question 54

What mean those words, The Communion of Saints?

First, that all and every one who believeth, are in common Partakers of Christ and all his Graces, as being his Members; and then that every one ought readily and chearfully to bestow the Gifts and Graces which they have received to the common Commodity and Safety of all.

Heidelberg Catechism (1563), which expounds this clause

Question 54

What believest thou concerning the “Holy Catholic Church” of Christ.

That the Son of God from the beginning to the end of the world, gathers, defends, and preserves to himself by his spirit and word, out of the whole human race, a church chosen to everlasting life, agreeing in true faith; and that I am and for ever shall remain, a living member thereof.

Question 55

What do you understand by “the communion of saints?”

First, that all and every one who believes, being members of Christ, are in common, partakers of him, and of all his riches and gifts: secondly, that every one must know it to be his duty, readily and cheerfully to employ his gifts, for the advantage and salvation of other members.

Commentaries (6)

Caspar Olevianus, 1581, An Exposition of the Symbole of the Apostles (3 parts)
That the kingdome of Christ is offered vnto vs in the Articles of our faith; and that the faithfull are partakers of it, whilest they liue here It is certaine, that there are two…
Caspar Olevianus’s text
William Perkins, 1595, An Exposition of the Symbole or Creed of the Apostles
Hitherto we haue intreated of the first part of the Creed concerning God: now followeth the second part thereof concerning the Church: and it was added to the former upon speciall…
William Perkins’s text
Zacharias Ursinus, 1587, The Summe of Christian Religion (3 parts)
On Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 54, which expounds this clause
What beleeuest thou concerning the holy & Catholicke Church of Christ? I beleeue that the Sonne of God doth from the beginning of the worlde to the end gather, defend and preserue…
Zacharias Ursinus’s text
Zacharias Ursinus, 1587, The Summe of Christian Religion
On Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 55, which expounds this clause
What meane these wordes, The communion of Saints? First, that al and euerie one who beleeueth, are in common partakers of Christ, & all his graces, as being his members. And then,…
Zacharias Ursinus’s text
Jeremias Bastingius, 1591, A Catechisme of Christian Religion, with the Arguments and Use
On Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 54, which expounds this clause
THE ARGVMENT. Of the Catholike Church, and the notes thereof, of the Communion of Saints, and the forgiuenes of sinnes. What beleeuest thou of the Catholike Church of Christ? I…
Jeremias Bastingius’s text
Jeremias Bastingius, 1591, A Catechisme of Christian Religion, with the Arguments and Use
On Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 55, which expounds this clause
What meaneth the Communion of Saintes? First, that all, and euerie one of the beleeuers haue felowship with Christ and all his benefites, as beeing members of him. Secondly, that…
Jeremias Bastingius’s text