Who should take part in communion at Goshen CRC? (Here's our policy)  

[T]hose who are truly sorrowful for their sins, and yet trust that these are forgiven them for the sake of Christ; and that their remaining infirmities are covered by his passion and death; and who also earnestly desire to have their faith more and more strengthened, and their lives more holy; but hypocrites, and such as turn not to God with sincere hearts, eat and drink judgment to themselves.  (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 81 also 1 Corinthians 11.)

We believe that this should describe every healthy Christian. If you have questions about this, or want to change to meet this description, please see a pastor or an elder, we’d love to help you grow closer to Jesus together.

 

Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;  he descended to hell.  The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.  From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,  the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

 

Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 21 Q & A 54
Q. What do you believe concerning “the holy catholic church”?

I believe that the Son of God through his Spirit and Word,¹ out of the entire human race,² from the beginning of the world to its end,³ gathers, protects, and preserves for himself a community chosen for eternal life⁴ and united in true faith.⁵ And of this community I am⁶and always will be⁷ a living member.

¹ John 10:14-16; Acts 20:28; Rom. 10:14-17; Col. 1:18 ² Gen. 26:3b-4; Rev. 5:9 ³ Isa. 59:21; 1 Cor. 11:26 ⁴ Matt. 16:18; John 10:28-30; Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 1:3-14 ⁵ Acts 2:42-47; Eph. 4:1-6 ⁶ 1 John 3:14, 19-21 ⁷ John 10:27-28; 1 Cor. 1:4-9; 1 Pet. 1:3-5

 

Q & A 55 Q. What do you understand by “the communion of saints”?

First, that believers one and all, as members of this community, share in Christ and in all his treasures and gifts.¹ Second, that each member should consider it a duty to use these gifts readily and joyfully for the service and enrichment of the other members.²

¹ Rom. 8:32; 1 Cor. 6:17; 12:4-7, 12-13; 1 John 1:3 ² Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:20-27; 13:1-7; Phil. 2:4-8