The primary meaning of the word “saint” is a person consecrated or set apart.  In this sense all baptized persons who are professing members of the Church of Christ are saints.  In the New Testament the whole body of professing Christians resident in a city or district are called saints, although some among them may have been unworthy; just as in the Old Testament the prophets even in degenerate times termed the people of Israel an “holy nation,” that is, a nation separated from the rest of the world and consecrated to God’s service.  Thus we read that Peter visited the saints which dwelt at Lydda.[193] Paul speaks of a collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem, and writes letters to all the saints in Achaia,[194] to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, and to the saints at Ephesus; and Jude speaks of the faith once delivered to the saints.  In these passages the title is applied to all who were in outward fellowship with the Christian Church.

The term “saint” is used also in a more restricted sense.  As they were not all Israel who were of Israel, and as not every one that saith “Lord, Lord” shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, so all who are enrolled as members of the Christian Church do not lead saintly lives, and those only are truly saints who are striving to live godly in Christ Jesus, and to be holy, even as He who hath called them is holy.  This clause of the Creed expresses the doctrine that Christians ought to have fellowship one with another, and that there ought to be harmonious relations and stimulating communion between their several churches and congregations—­such fellowship and communion as may lead the world to believe that they are one in Christ, and that, though compelled by circumstances to assemble in different places and to form separate societies, they are, nevertheless, all members of one body, of which Jesus Christ is the Head; all stones in one building, of which He is the chief Corner-stone; all branches in one true vine, of which He is the Stem; and all animated and directed by the same Spirit.  Thus regarded, the clause is a protest against the exclusiveness which often marks Christian churches, and is a recognition of the spirit of charity.

The extent of this Communion of the Saints is not revealed.  Much of it is spiritual, and is therefore invisible to us.  God alone marks in full measure the fellowship of the churches, and is acquainted with the character and conduct of all their members.  He knew the seven thousand in Israel who had never bowed the knee to Baal, and the real, though unrecognised, communion they had with one another in their common fidelity and prayer to Him; but Elijah did not know how much true fellowship he had, when he denounced the idolatries of Jezebel and pleaded with God for Israel.  The ignorance of the prophet, who thought he was the only faithful Israelite, has its counterpart in our own times.  God knows, but we do not know, how many faithful saints there are in the world who