Plain-language reading guide
READING HELP
Read this chapter alongside the Confession chapter on the same subject. The Testimony states what the church teaches, applies that teaching, and identifies views it rejects. Read each statement with its Scripture proofs and the surrounding paragraphs.
This reading guide is separate from the official text below.
Read the official text, or choose a simpler explanation to explore together.
Westminster Confession
1. All saints, that are united to Jesus Christ their Head by His Spirit and by faith, have fellowship with Him in His graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory: and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces, and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.
Scripture proofs: 1 John 1:3; Eph. 3:16-19; John 1:16; Eph. 2:5-6; Phil. 3:10; Rom. 6:5-6; 2 Tim. 2:12; Eph. 4:15-16; 1 Cor. 12:7; 1 Cor. 3:21-23; Col. 2:19; 1 Thess. 5:11, 14; Rom. 1:11-12, 14; 1 John 3:16-18; Gal. 6:10.
2. Saints by profession are bound to maintain a holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God; and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification; as also in relieving each other in outward things, according to their several abilities, and necessities. Which communion, as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who, in every place, call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.
Scripture proofs: Heb. 10:24-25; Acts 2:42, 46; Isa. 2:3; 1 Cor. 11:20; Acts 2:44-45; 1 John 3: 17; 2 Cor. 8—9; Acts 11:29-30.
3. This communion, which the saints have with Christ, doth not make them, in any wise, partakers of the substance of His Godhead; or to be equal with Christ, in any respect: either of which to affirm is impious and blasphemous. Nor doth their communion one with another, as saints, take away, or infringe the title or property which each man hath in his goods and possessions.
Scripture proofs: Col. 1:18-19; 1 Cor. 8:6; Isa. 42:8; 1 Tim. 6:15-16; Ps. 45:7 with Heb. 1:8-9; Ex. 20:15; Eph. 4:28; Acts 5:4.
Words to know
- Communion of saints
- The shared fellowship and responsibilities of Christ’s people.
- Union with Christ
- The Spirit’s joining believers to Christ so they share his saving benefits through faith.
WCF 26.1 · Sharing life in Christ
The Spirit and faith unite believers to Jesus. They share the benefits of his saving life, death, resurrection, and glory. United to each other in love, they should use their gifts and do what helps one another spiritually and physically, in public and private life.
1 John 1:3; Ephesians 3:16-19; John 1:16.
What gift could you use to help another believer?
WCF 26.2 · Worship, encourage, and help
Christians should share worship, strengthen one another’s faith, and provide practical help according to their ability and others’ needs. As opportunities arise, this love should extend to believers in every place, not only our own congregation. Fellowship includes both words and actions.
Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 2:42; Isaiah 2:3.
How could we help Christians we have never met?
WCF 26.3 · United, but not turned into God
Union with Christ does not make us divine or equal to him. We remain his creatures. Sharing life with other Christians also does not erase each person’s ownership of possessions. We should give generously, but fellowship does not mean everything automatically belongs to everyone.
Colossians 1:18-19; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Isaiah 42:8.
How can we share generously while respecting someone else’s possessions?
1. Concern for fellow believers should be a restraint to evil, especially to unkind speech and action against one another. 1 Cor. 13; Eph. 4:31-32; Rom. 14:19; Jas. 3:16-18; Gal. 5:15; 1 Cor. 12.
2. The congregation is the primary organic unit in the presbyterian system of church government. It is commonly composed of Christians residing in the same community who meet together for the worship of God.
3. In addition to their obligation to assemble for worship, believers should assemble for social purposes as another means of support and growth. In response to Christ’s love for them, believers are to express their love to one another by using their diverse gifts and talents to help their brethren; by giving and receiving counsel, support, hospitality and comfort; by spending time with one another and sharing joys and sorrows. This is especially necessary when, in the providence of God, brethren need material support and moral and spiritual encouragement. Heb. 10:24-25; Heb. 13:2; Gal. 6:2; Rom. 12:10, 13, 15; Eph. 4:28; Phil. 4: 10-14; 1 Cor. 16:1-2.
4. All people, regardless of their mental or physical condition, are made in the image of God. Each person’s life is a gift from God. We are not to evaluate individuals in terms of their mental and physical ability or appearance. The church should be careful to accept and cherish its handicapped, incorporating them into the life of the church. In evangelistic outreach the church should not overlook handicapped persons but seek them out, minister to them and pray for their conversion.
5. For preservation of life and because of respect for our bodies as God’s creation, we are to be careful in the use of drugs. Christians should avoid enslavement to alcohol, tobacco or any habit-forming drug. The Scripture strongly condemns drunkenness as a sin. Gen. 1:27 with 9:6; 1 Cor. 6:9-10.
6. Because drunkenness is so common, and because the intemperate use of alcohol is constantly being promoted by advertising, business practices, and social pressure, Christians must be careful not to conform to the attitudes and the practices of the world with regard to alcoholic beverages. To prevent damage to our neighbor, to provide mutual help in godly living, and to strengthen each other in living a disciplined life it is altogether wise and proper that Christians refrain from the use, sale and manufacture of alcoholic beverages. Prov. 20:1; Rom. 14:21; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 1 Cor. 8:13.
7. The use of tobacco is detrimental to health and is to be avoided because of the responsibility to preserve the body which is a temple of God. 1 Cor. 6:19; 1 Cor. 9:24-27.
8. The use of drugs for pleasure or escape from moral responsibility should be avoided; one should strive for victory over physical and emotional weakness through the strength of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, and make wise use of proper medical care. Phil. 4:13; Col. 1:10-14.
Words to know
- Communion of saints
- The shared fellowship and responsibilities of Christ’s people.
- Union with Christ
- The Spirit’s joining believers to Christ so they share his saving benefits through faith.
- Gospel
- The good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Testimony 26.1
Love for fellow Christians should restrain unkind words, harmful actions, and other wrongdoing toward them.
Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 26.2
The local congregation is the basic unit of presbyterian church life and government, ordinarily gathering believers from the same community.
Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 26.3
Believers should share life beyond worship, offering hospitality, counsel, practical help, and comfort, especially when others are in need.
Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 26.4
People with disabilities bear God’s image and should be valued, welcomed into church life, and included in gospel outreach.
Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 26.5
Christians should use drugs carefully, avoid addiction, and reject drunkenness, respecting their bodies as God’s creation.
Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 26.6
To help protect others and encourage self-control, the Testimony recommends not using, selling, or making alcoholic drinks.
Read original point 6 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 26.7
Christians should avoid tobacco because it harms health and we are responsible to care for our bodies.
Read original point 7 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 26.8
Avoid drugs used for pleasure or escape from moral responsibility. Seek Christ’s strength while making wise use of proper medical care.
Read original point 8 and its Scripture proofs →Source: The Constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, updated 2026, A-90, A-91, A-92.