Catechism Question 69
Does God call you to live the Christian life by yourself?
No, when I was united to Christ by faith, I was also united to other believers in the Church and called to walk in fellowship with them.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
This question is the first of several that will look at the next in the list of the means of grace that we listed in question 44 – fellowship. We begin with the recognition that to be united with Christ is also to be united to His people the Church.
It is important for all Christians to understand that the Christian life is never meant to be lived in isolation. As those who were created in the image of the Divine Community, the Holy Trinity, we were created for relationships, and as those re-created through Christ, we were redeemed for relationships within the community of faith.
In the coming questions, we will define the church, and look at fellowship within a local church of believers. For now, it is important to simply understand that we need other believers.
Additional Questions:
Can I live the Christian life alone?
Do I live the Christian life by myself or with other believers?
Does God want me to live apart from other Christians?
Scripture References:
Acts 2:36–47
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Ephesians 4:3–6
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
John 17:11, 20–23
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name — the name you gave me — so that they may be one as we are one….20 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Romans 12:4–5
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
1 Corinthians 12:12–13
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Ephesians 2:19–22
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Questions for Further Discussion:
When I was united to Christ in faith, was I also united to other believers? In what sense am I united to other Christians?
Is my unity with other believers something that comes later in my Christian life, or is it something that happens at the moment of my conversion?
Is the unity I have with other Christians something that is automatic, something I have to work for, or is it both? How does Paul seem to view it in Ephesians 4:3-6?
Look at Luke’s picture of the early church in Acts 2:37-46. How close do the believers seem to be with one another? What words would you use to describe the relationship between these new believers? Is it possible to even think of any of them trying to live in isolation from other Christians?
If every Christian has been united to Christ, given the Spirit, and has God’s written word, then why do we need other believers? Is it really important for us to live in fellowship with other Christians?
Additional Information:
This question is based on questions 54 of the Heidelberg Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg Catechism will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “The Church – The Community of Believers” (August 30, 2020), “Called To the Church” (November 12, 2012), “A Thriving Community” (October 9, 2011), and “All In: The Church As Community” (October 25, 2015).
Suggested Worship Song:
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken (John Newton, Public Domain)
Available at http://indeliblegrace.bandcamp.com/track/glorious-things-of-thee-are-spoken-feat-deborah-chastain
(This hymn notes that all Christians are part of Zion, God’s City, and that He cares for us in Zion.)
Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God;
He, Whose word cannot be broken,
Formed thee for His own abode
On the Rock of Ages founded,
What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded,
Thou mayst smile at all thy foes.
See the streams of living waters,
Springing from eternal love.
Well supplies Thy sons and daughters,
And all fears of want removes.
Who can faint while such a river
Ever flows their thirst to quench?
Grace which like the Lord, the giver,
Never fails from age to age.
Blessed inhabitants of Zion,
Washed in the Redeemer’s blood;
Jesus, Whom their souls rely on,
Makes them kings and priests to God
‘Tis His love His people raises,
Over self to reign as kings
And as priests His solemn praises
Each for a thank offering bring.
Savior, if of Zion’s city,
I, through grace, a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy Name
Fading is the worldling’s pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show
Solid joys and lasting treasures
None but Zion’s children know.