The Apostles' Creed: 12-Day Plan Exemplo

The Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we’re united by faith in the Son and adopted by the Father Almighty. The Apostles’ Creed gives a unified voice to Christians around the world and throughout history. We’re a global family waiting for a heavenly home or in the words of the Creed—“the holy catholic church, the communion of the saints.” From this line three words should be reemphasized for clarity: catholic, saints, and communion.

When the Apostles’ Creed says “the holy catholic church,” it’s referring to the body of Christ to which all Christians everywhere over all time belong. The word catholic is translated from a Greek word, that means “according to the whole, or universal.” In saying the church is catholic, we’re affirming that all Christians everywhere are included in the communion of the saints. Therefore, the term catholic isn’t a reference to a specific denomination or to what we now know as the Roman Catholic Church. All Spirit-indwelled, gospel-believing, Jesus-exalting Christians are part of the holy catholic church. 

Second, when the Apostles’ Creed says “saints,” it’s another reference to all believers. This isn’t a reference to a position or status in a church reserved for a few exceptional individuals. All 60 times the New Testament uses the term, it indicates all Christians. In the language of the New Testament, the word translated saints literally means “holy ones.” In Christ we’ve been made holy. The saints gather and commune as the church. 

Finally, when the Apostles’ Creed says “communion,” it’s referring to the communal gathering of the saints—Christians—as the church.  Essentially, the phrase “The holy catholic church, the communion of saints” is purposely redundant, emphasizing the totality and inclusivity of all believers in the body of Christ. 

Because we’ve been made in the image of God, we’re more valuable than the rest of the created order. God desires to commune with us as His people. The tangible presence of God is most often revealed in the communion of saints. It’s God’s good design that we belong to a local church, not that we go to one. There’s an important difference. God has invited you into something greater—new relationships, new community, and new life as His church.