Westminster Larger catechism # 69
Commentary by Dr. Chuck Baynard
Q69. What is the communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with
Christ?
Answer: The communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with
Christ, is their partaking of the virtue of his mediation, in their justification,
adoption, sanctification, and whatever else, in this life, manifests their union with him.
References: Rom. 8:30; Eph. 1:5; 1 Cor. 1:30.
Every word in this statement causes the heart of the child of God to leap with joy. Yet
how sparse the verses of Scripture to explain what is happening. I think the Divines here,
as well as all of the fathers of the faith before them, and since have come to the place
in the mystery of the operation of God, where it is by implication and the subjective that
the heart of the matter must be explained.
We do have communion and yes communication with our God. How many of us have heard
people say God told me this, or God led me to, or another expression that indicates God
has spoken to them? Technically speaking we cannot have an officer in the church who is
not called by God to that place. Yet, if God has spoken, then it would by virtue of being
God’s word, be equal to Scripture. There are many who believe in the continuing
revelation of God, and who believe God is speaking to them, or giving them visions. In one
sense this might be true, and we will deal with that in a moment. Objectively the
revelation of God is complete, and with the closing of the canon, God no longer speaks to
His people in this manner. While I disagree the proof text chosen to defend this position
(Heb. 1:1) means that God no longer speaks to His people by any means other than the
Bible; I do agree the oracle, revelation whereby men are so closely and clearly led by God
that their words can be written down to be God breathed words has ended.
Thus the hesitation of the Divines and all others to acknowledge such direct
conversation with God. Yet that the communion is present cannot be denied. I know from my
own experience that nothing short of the voice of God would have called me from my place
of comfort in the world into His church, much less the Gospel ministry. Nonetheless, when
asked to articulate this testimony words fail. There were no voices from the clouds, no
angels appearing as messengers from God, absolutely nothing tangible I can share in any
objective manner that God called me to this place of service. In the reformed church we
hold to a threefold calling to office. First this "sense" of call in the inward
person. Next the testimony of this call by his fellow believers in his own church
(visible). And, finally the calling to an office of the church by an official court of the
church. All very subjective and open to error because of the flesh. This does not however
negate the voice of God within the heart as the Holy Spirit calls to salvation and service
those whom god has chosen.
The Divines mention the continuing and constant mediation of Christ. True and it is the
outward working of this inward call whereby all the other manifestations of being of the
elect are brought to be. Because of the sinful nature of the flesh, this mediation must be
continual, or the others would never come to be in this world. The Divines chose
justification, adoption, sanctification, and then "anything else" in this life
that makes visible or tangible this communion of Christ. Justification comes with a sense
of having been freed from the sentence of death, justified by the belief in the completed
works of Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1). Adoption as the divine truth matures and men realize
they can without fear call God their father, that somehow they have inherited all the
beauties of glory as a co-heir of Christ. The promises of scripture can be claimed with a
boldness that can only belong to a member of the family. Perhaps the only one of all the
graces here bestowed which can be seen by others is that of sanctification. Cleansing by
the Holy Spirit through the blood of Christ as men are made more and more like Christ and
become purer in speech and life, with all things bringing honor and glory to God the
Father.
I believe we will find most of these virtues will be an inward and personal thing to
the individual believer, and it is to the person this communion is made manifest, not the
world, nor of necessity even other believers.
In having said God does speak to His children today, perhaps we need to elaborate and
clarify. First off the canon has been rightly closed. I do not think we will find a time
in whatever future God leaves to this world when God will again have His words put down to
be preserved for all mankind until the Lord comes again. So then what is this secondary
level (as it would appear it must be lower than Scripture) of revelation? First, if of God
it will never be for personal interpretation and application (2 Pet. 1:20). Second, it
will not contradict, add to, nor take away from God’s revealed word we have in the
Bible. That said, God does direct and guide us, or we are indeed a lost and sad people.
Most often this guidance will be through the revealed word of God as the Holy Spirit
brings to mind the right application of that word to our present life. Often the word will
come from the tongue of a friend or loved one whom God has brought through the same
situation wherein we need guidance, offering good and godly advice. Lastly the Holy Spirit
will so work in our heart and mind that knowledge, inspiration, or whatever term you
choose is directly made available within our own mind. If an evil demon (fallen angel) can
enter into and control human beings, why should we balk so quickly at the Sprit of God
being able to do the same thing? He can and does, but not in the complete control of the
evil one, nor for any purpose other than God’s own.
I think a study of those so possessed by evil spirits in Scripture will show several
things. Most of the people around the possessed one seem to know they are possessed of an
evil spirit. The person possessed seems to be aware of the presence of this evil spirit
and has a desire for it to be removed from them in most cases. The result of the presence
of this evil spirit is always contrary to the best interests of the person possessed, and
their behavior reflects this possession by an evil spirit. Does it not follow then that if
the Holy Spirit dwells within the believer, the believer will be aware of this presence?
Should not their outward behavior reflect that which is for their good in contrast to the
destructive nature of an evil spirit? I believe the nature of the communication between
the controlling spirit evil or of God will be the same. While I think the guidance of the
Holy Spirit will be more gentle and less intrusive into the "free will" of the
person, and work only that which is good, it comes through the working of the Spirit in
the mind speaking from within to bring convincement to the believer that God has spoken.
Elijah makes mention of this small inner voice in the narrative of his flight from
Jezebel. It is real and tangible to the believer. To share in an objective way with
another all but defies human language. John said we can know that we are the children of
God. True the Scriptures say so, but how can we know apart from this inward communication
of the Holy Spirit making manifest the communion and union the believer has with Christ?
Dr. Chuck Baynard -- August 1998
LC Index
Observer Home Page
1EPC Home Page
