bers. The
Saints together form the Body of Christ. "For as the body is one, and
hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many,
are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized
into one body" (1 Cor. xii. 12, 13). Christ is the Head: and the
Church is the Body. For God "gave Him to be the Head over all things
to the Church, which is His Body" (Ephes. i. 22, 23). So intimately
connected are the Saints with their Lord that they are the members of
Christ--yea, S. Paul does not hesitate to say, "We are members of His
Body, of His Flesh, and of His Bones" (Ephes. v. 30). This is a great
mystery; but when faith has accepted it, it is seen to be the ground
of the Christian's strength. He is strong through grace, because his
strength is not his own, but is derived from Christ his Lord, with
Whom through the Spirit he is united.

The importance of the two holy Sacraments of Christ is in connection
with this truth. Holy Baptism is the means ordained for uniting us
with the Body of Christ (1 Cor. xii. 13). Holy Communion is the means
of maintaining this union, and of drawing supplies of grace from Him
(1 Cor. x. 16, 17), as will be considered more fully presently.

Thus through a right use of the means ordained by Christ Himself the
Saints are His own members[30]. "Why persecutest thou _Me_?" said the
Lord to the persecutor of His people. And they have the good hope to
cheer them, that when the great day of judgment comes, whilst to some
who address the Judge, "Lord, Lord," as if they had always served Him,
it will be said, "I never knew you, depart from Me" (S. Matt. vii. 22,
23); the Saints, on the other hand, will be recognised as being like
Him--as bearing God's image--and will receive the welcome, "Come, ye
blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you" (S. Matt.
xxv. 34).

The meaning of "The Communion of Saints" becomes clearer when we know
that "Communion" is the same word as that which is more often
translated "Fellowship." The Apostle S. John speaks with great
clearness about this Communion or Fellowship. Referring to the good
tidings delivered by himself and the other Apostles about the person
and work of the Saviour, he saith, "That which we have seen and heard
declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us." In
other words, he declares that the Gospel was preached that all might
enjoy the Communion or Fellowship which the Apostles possessed. And