The Communion of Saints
Protestants commonly remember apostles, martyrs, reformers, and other faithful Christians as witnesses to Christ. Many reject asking departed saints for intercession because they emphasize Christ's unique mediation and do not find a clear scriptural command for the practice. This does not erase the shared Christian call to remember earlier believers and pray for living members of the Church.
Why it matters
Remembering saints and invoking them are different questions that should not be merged.
Historical context
Reformation critiques addressed late medieval devotional practice, but Protestant responses varied. The Augsburg Confession distinguishes honoring saints by remembering and imitating them from invoking them; Anglican Article XXII gives a different polemical formulation.
Tradition note
This is a broad introductory path; Protestant denominations differ in doctrine and practice.
Pastoral note
This is a broad learning path. Ask a particular church about its confession, worship, membership, and preparation practices.
Key points
- Honor earlier believers as witnesses without assuming invocation of saints.
- Compare Protestant and Catholic/Orthodox views of intercession.
Learning objectives
- Explain the communion of saints in a Protestant setting.
- Distinguish remembrance, imitation, and invocation.
- State a Catholic or Orthodox account before comparing objections.
Essentials
- Christ remains the focus of Christian worship.
- Earlier believers can be studied as historical and spiritual witnesses.
- Many Protestant confessions reject invocation while retaining the language of the communion of saints.
Common questions
- Does remembering a saint imply asking for intercession?
- How do different churches interpret Christ's unique mediation?
Practice and discussion
- Read a complete short work by an early Christian writer rather than an isolated maxim.
- Compare Augsburg XXI with Anglican XXII and note their different language.
Scripture
- Hebrews 12:1–2 — The cloud of witnesses is followed by the command to look to Jesus.
- 1 Timothy 2:5 — Christ is the one mediator; churches disagree on its relation to saintly intercession.
- Hebrews 13:7 — Believers are told to remember leaders and imitate their faith.
Primary sources
Article XXI states:
The Lutheran Augsburg Confession commends the memory of saints as examples for faith and good works.
the memory of saints may be set before us, that we may follow their faith and good works
Passage context and translation
The article commends remembrance and imitation of saints while rejecting invocation of them. This is a Lutheran witness, not a universal Protestant position.
Before the excerpt
Of the Worship of Saints they teach that
After the excerpt
according to our calling