Gemeenskap van die heiliges

Abstract

The article argues that it is important to contemplate the dogma of the 'community of the saints' because some people stress the fact that the church is a community of believers whilst others understand the church as the symbol of an ideal society. The expression 'the community of the saints' explains a large variety of dimensions of Christian faith and ecclesiology. This confession underlines the necessity of ecumenical contact. It offers comfort to mourners. It learns us to honour our predecessors. It teaches us that the church is not an alternative society, nor the crown of society. It stresses the necessity for active deaconship and the importance of the Holy Communion.