阅读经文 

许多年前，我就曾听人说：“我信圣徒沟通。”在任何人际关系中，顺畅的沟通是必需的，然而，我们在基督里的联系，远远超过彼此之间顺畅的沟通。

我们在使徒信经中告白：“我信圣徒相通”时，我们的意思是，藉着耶稣的宝血，我们不单属于祂，我们也是彼此相属的。因着耶稣的血，我们在祂里面的关系，甚至超越我们与自己家人的血缘关系。

我们之间的彼此相通，并不是一个客观事实那么简单。保罗进一步解释说，彼此相属有一个至关重要的功用。我们每一个人都从圣灵那里领受恩赐，我们的恩赐虽然不同，但它们的目的都是一样的：彼此建立，共同服侍主和为了大家的益处。善用我们的恩赐，能带领我们通过各种不同的途径来彼此造就，彰显神的爱，也向我们周围的人彰显这爱。

我们得到的恩赐或许包括讲道（说预言——向人传讲神的话）、教导、治理、服侍、施舍，或很多其他的才干。耶稣吩咐我们，要存着感恩的心和爱心去建立祂的身体，好叫我们每一个人都能在圣徒相通上有份。

Many years ago I heard someone say, "I believe in the communication of the saints. " While good communication is essential in all kinds of relationships, our connectedness in Christ goes beyond communicating well with each another.

When we say, with the Apostles’ Creed, "I believe in … the communion of saints, " we are saying that through Jesus’ blood we not only belong to him but also to each other. Our blood relationship in Jesus transcends even the real blood we share with our own family members.

And our communion with each other is more than just a statement of fact. Paul goes on to explain that belonging to one another has a crucial function. Each of us has been given gifts by the Holy Spirit. Though our gifts vary, the purpose for them is the same: to build one another up in service to the Lord and for the benefit of all. Using our gifts leads to all kinds of ways in which we can show God’s love to one another and to all the people around us.

The gifts we have may include preaching (prophesying—bringing God’s Word to people), teaching, leading, serving, giving, or a number of other abilities. Jesus wants us to use these gifts with thanksgiving and love to strengthen his body so that all can join in the communion of saints.