1. All saints that are united to Jesus Christ, their head, by his Spirit, and faith, although they are not made thereby one person with him, have fellowship in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory; and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each others gifts and graces, and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, in an orderly way, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man. ( 1 John 1:3; John 1:16; Philippians 3:10; Romans 6:5, 6; Ephesians 4:15, 16; 1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14; Romans 1:12; 1 John 3:17, 18; Galatians 6:10 )

2. Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification; as also in relieving each other in outward things according to their several abilities, and necessities; which communion, according to the rule of the gospel, though especially to be exercised by them, in the relation wherein they stand, whether in families, or churches, yet, as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended to all the household of faith, even all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus; nevertheless their communion one with another as saints, doth not take away or infringe the title or propriety which each man hath in his goods and possessions. ( Hebrews 10:24, 25; Hebrews 3:12, 13; Acts 11:29, 30; Ephesians 6:4; 1 Corinthians 12:14-27; Acts 5:4; Ephesians 4:28 )

Article 26 of the Church, Section 1, the Catholic or universal Church, which with respect to the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace, may be called invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ, the head thereof, and is the spouse, the body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all. Section 2. All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of the gospel and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying their own profession by any errors, averting the foundation or unholiness of conversation, or unholiness of conversation are and may be called visible saints and of such ought all particular congregations to be constituted. Section 3, the purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan. Nevertheless, Christ always hath had and ever shall have a kingdom in this world to the end thereof of such as believe in Him and make profession of His name.

Section 4, the Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the Church in whom, by the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order, or government of the Church is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner. Neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense behead thereof, but is that antichrist, that man of sin and Son of Perdition that exalted Himself in the church against Christ and all that is called God, whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of His coming. Section 5, in the execution of this power wherein He is so entrusted, the Lord Jesus calleth out of the world unto himself through the ministry of his word by his spirit those that are given unto him by his father that they may walk before him in all the ways of obedience which he prescribeth to them in his word. Those thus called, he commandeth to walk together in particular societies or churches for their mutual edification and the due performance of that public worship which he requires of them in the world. Section 6, The members of these churches are saints by calling, visibly manifesting and evidencing in and by their profession and walking, their obedience unto the call of Christ, and do willingly consent to walk together according to the appointment of Christ giving up themselves to the Lord and one to another by the will of God in professed subjection to the ordinances of the gospel.

Section 7, to each of these churches thus gathered, according to his mind declared in his word, he hath given all that power and authority which is in any way needful for their carrying on that order and worship and discipline which he hath instituted for them to observe, with commands and rules for the do and right exerting and executing of that power. Section 8, a particular church gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church, so called and gathered, for the particular administration of ordinances and execution of power or duty, which he entrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world our bishops or elders and deacons section 9 the way appointed to Christ for the calling of any person fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit unto the office of bishop or elder in a church, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the church itself, and solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with imposition of hands of the eldership of the church.

If there be any before constituted therein, and of a deacon, that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by prayer, and the like imposition of hands. Section 10, the work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ in His churches, in the ministry of the Word and Prayer, with watching for their souls, as they that must give an account to Him. It is encumbrance on the churches to whom they minister, not only to give them all due respect but also to communicate to them of all their good things according to their ability so as they may have a comfortable supply without being themselves entangled in secular affairs, and may also be capable of exercising hospitality towards others. And this is required by the law of nature and by the express order of our Lord Jesus who hath ordained that they that preached the gospel should live of the gospel section 11 although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches to be instant in preaching the Word by way of office, yet the work of preaching the Word is not so peculiarly confined to them, but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it and approved and called by the church may and ought to perform it.

Section 12, as all Believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches when and where they have opportunities so to do. So all that are admitted unto the privileges of a church are also under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ. Section 13. No church members upon any offense taken by them, having performed their duty required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb any church order, or absent themselves from the assemblies of the church, or administration of any ordinances upon the account of such offense at any of their fellow members, but to wait upon Christ in the further proceeding of the church. Section 14, as each church and all the members of it are bound to pray continually for the good and prosperity of all the churches of Christ in all places and upon all occasion to further every one within the bounds of their places and callings.

In the exercise of their gifts and graces so the churches when planted by the providence of God so as they may enjoy opportunity and advantage for it ought to hold communion among themselves for their peace, increase of love and mutual edification. Section 15. In cases of difficulties or differences, either in point of doctrine or administration, wherein either the churches in general are concerned, or any one church in their peace, union and edification, or any member or members of any church are injured in or by any proceedings in censures not agreeable to truth and order, It is according to the mind of Christ that many churches holding Communion together do, by their messengers, meet to consider, and give their advice in or about that matter in difference, to be reported to all the churches concerned, howbeit these messengers assembled are not entrusted with any church power properly so called, or with any jurisdiction over the churches themselves, to exercise any censures either over any churches or persons, or to impose their determination on the churches or officers.