This book has been much needed in the church. It was produced as a group effort under the able leadership of Dr. Ryken from material taught in a thirteen-week adult Bible study class at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The contents are organized around the biblical and theological foundation of the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 26, “The Communion of Saints.” A leader’s guide and spiritual gifts survey make the book very helpful and teachable.

Communion of Saints will encourage you to understand how important it is to live together as the family of God. The benefits that a believer experiences in union with Christ and communion with the saints come alive in these chapters. Every officer (elder and deacon) needs to read this book and small groups and adult classes ought to study it.

The chapter “Baptized into Communion” gives fresh insight into the Old Testament pictures of redemption that involved water and their significance to baptism. Membership in the local church is shown to be important, and the cost of avoiding it is described. “Assembly Required” stresses how worship is crucial to the saints glorifying God as well as encouraging one another in love and good deeds. “The Communion Table” explains the benefits of the Lord’s Supper to those who partake. You will also be blessed and challenged by the chapters on “Gifts and Graces,” “Relief in Outward Things,” and “Mutual Edification.”

This book will challenge and convict anyone who may be guilty of privatizing their religion, or living in isolation from other believers. It should be used repeatedly in the educational ministry of the church. Congregations will reap many benefits from studying this material.

- Richard Aeschliman, Resource Coordinator