6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Lot of Material - Very well done. I loved it., July 7, 2007
This review is from: The Communion of Saints: Living in Fellowship with the People of God (Paperback)
The Communion of Saints is a phrase we repeat in the Apostle's Creed, but I had no clue what I was saying. I thought I knew what it meant before I read this book, but I really did not.
This book was written by seven men (that I counted). Each writing one or more chapters.
Chapter 1 covers the definition of "The Communion of saints". You must be a saint to have this communion. Once you are a saint, it is anticipated that you will participate in the many aspects to this communion. This chapter lists several privileges and responsibilities to our Communion. Great Intro.
Chapter 2 covers "Union with Christ", which is the basis of our Communion. I like this chapter because it shows the many pictures that the Bible uses to describe our Union and Communion. The Vine, the Body, Marriage, a Covenant, a Household, and a Building. Great Illustrations.
Chapter 3 covers "Baptized into Communion", which is an interesting study into baptism.
Chapter 4 covers "Members Only", which has good material on Elders and Deacons and shows how a church is organized.
Chapter 5 covers "United in Love", where some great verses from Ephesians are listed. It speaks about the importance keeping unity in the church. Page 63 has a great summary of the Vices, Virtues and the Graces Paul mentions.
Chapter 6 covers "Assembly Required", and uses 3 passages of scripture to show that worship has always been a corporate event. He uses Acts 2:42, Exodus 24, and Nehemiah 8.
Chapter 7 covers "The Communion Table", and covers the history of the Lord's Table and shows its significance. This is a great summary on the Lord's Table.
Chapter 8 covers "Gifts and Graces", where the author does a very interesting treatment of both gifts of the Spirit and the graces of the Spirit.
Chapter 9 covers "Relief in Outward Things", which speaks about helping the poor and needy as one of the duties of our Communion.
Chapter 10 covers "Mutual Edification", and speaks of the need for building up each other as part of our communion.
Chapter 11 covers "All in the Family", and speaks of the problems we have with race, gender, and status and how that hinders our communion.
Chapter 12 covers "Worldwide Communion", and speaks of our communion as global. This chapter as a great summary on page 154 about the Plan, the Command, the Promise, and finally the Reality of our Communion to the entire world. This chapter also has a great summary of the expansion of the church to the world through out church history.
Chapter 13 covers "For All the Saints", and speaks of our Glorification. It shows how even our Glorification is a corporate event that we all share in. I like this chapter.
Plus there is an appendix on Spiritual Gifts Questionare. An appendix of Notes on each chapter. And finally a Leaders Guide.
There is a lot of material in this book and I wanted to read several of the chapters 2 times.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Take Steps To Repair The Lost Joy Of Communion With Others, December 14, 2007
This review is from: The Communion of Saints: Living in Fellowship with the People of God (Paperback)
'The communion of saints is advanced through the work of the Holy Spirit.' p 101
Ryken and friends have compounded the dogmatics of the church in this brilliant rendition of biblical unity. The doctrine under their observation seen in its whole, and represented in its wholesome truth, is correlative to the essential oxygen coursing through our bloodstream. This challenging look at how the body is comprised and ought to exist in union with Christ and in subsequent union with true believers, is irreplaceable as teaching material for example, for small groups, for the effective practice of biblical norms insisted on by our Christ and Lord - yet often neglected wholesale. This is not looking out for Nr 1 but the almost inconceivable reaching out to all the beloved in Christ.
'Union in Christ is the basis for the communion of the saints.' p 27
The honorable Judge Martin's contribution, 'Gifts And Graces', is one I would like to highlight. It is by no means a deep theological foray, but is forceful and august in its simplicity and forthrightness. 'The church proclaims and teaches the Bible. All of its evangelizing, preaching, teaching, worshiping, counseling and serving are directed by the infallible Word of God. The saints are gathered by the proclamation of God's Word, and then they are perfected by putting into practice its teaching.' p 45 It contains just enough historical consciousness to convince the reader that we are indeed continuing in the footsteps of the historical church of Christ.
'Our gifts are entrusted to us by grace, and our graces equip us to exercise our gifts. Christ gives spiritual gifts and graces to adorn and equip the church for the work it is called to do.' p 100
'In the early church spiritual gifts included miracles such as the ability to cast out evil spirits, speaking in unknown tongues, supernatural healing, and even raising the dead back to life. These extraordinary gifts were given to edify the church by confirming the truth of the apostolic gospel (1 Cor 14:26; Heb 2:4). The gifts given to the early church also included extraordinary callings such as apostle and prophet (Eph 4:11; 1 Cor 12:28).' p 102
'We need to be careful not to condemn those whom God accepts. Unless a doctrinal mistake concerns an essential element of the Christian faith or a person's misconduct is scandalous (1 Cor 5:11), we should not exclude a fellow pilgrim from our fellowship. Since God wants us to live in harmony in the church, we must accept some whom we believe to be in error. This causes weak Christians difficulty because they think it requires compromise, which many view as the worst sin of all. However, accepting the gifts and graces of a brother or sister who is in error does not constitute compromise, nor does it require that we change our views. The Scripture commands us to 'accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters' Rom 14:1.' p 105
'Not every doctrinal error is heresy. Furthermore, not every member of the church that tolerates heresy necessarily believes its damnable doctrines. Nevertheless, we should not be surprised to encounter heresy in the church. God sometimes allows a heresy to develop in order to plainly segregate truth from error. But we need to guard ourselves and others from falling into heresy and thereby falling into ruin.' p 105
'The invisible church is 'the whole number of the elect that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head'.
The Westminster Confession of Faith 25.1 In other words, the invisible church consists of all true believers, not just those who say they are Christians.' p 5
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Growing in Fellowship with God through Growth in Fellowship in the Church, March 6, 2007
This review is from: The Communion of Saints: Living in Fellowship with the People of God (Paperback)
For a small group looking for an overview of how the Church should function as a body of believers here on earth, Ryken has provided a good summary, with questions and notes that will encourage discussion and consideration of ways that a congregation may need to change. Ryken is not afraid to bring his clear denominational convictions into the discussion, so those within the Presbyterian tradition will find it most usable,. Nonetheless, his overall message is one all within the Christian church today should consider.
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