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Editorial
God only has one Church!
By Brother Ricky
Ricardo Morris
Matthew 16:13-19 - John 17:1-26
Sectarian
divisions were wrong in the apostolic age and they are wrong today. Ephesians
4:1-16; Acts 4:32. Paul denounces divisions in no uncertain terms, in the local
church. 1 Corinthian 1:9,10; 11:18. Paul foresaw division entering the church
because of heresies. Acts 20:28-30; 1 Timothy 4:1; (Heresies produces division).
The members
of the church form the body of Christ. 1 Corinthian 12:27
Christ is the Head
of this body. Ephesians 5:23
All members working
in harmony with one another under control of the head make up the beautiful
Bride of Christ Eph. 5:27
Jews, Gentiles,
every walk of life, from every king of culture, intellectual, moral, traditional
background come together and through the new birth are one in Christ.
Ephesians
2:11-18; Galatians 3:27,28.
The great
controversy in the early church could have resulted in a the Jewish Church and
the Gentile Church, if conscience matters or personal convictions had been
allowed to be the focal point of fellowship. See Acts 15th chapter.
The principle
cause of division is carnality; carnality is the seat of division. Unsanctified
persons cannot enjoy perfect unity because carnality produces the very opposite
of unity….strife and divisions 1 Corinthian 3:3.
Sanctification is
necessary to achieve Christian unity. Jesus prayed to this effect. John
17:17-23; 1 Corinthian 1:9-13; 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:11.
True holiness and
true unity are inseparable. Acts 4:31-33
Divisions as always
been a curse to Gods church
Unity is based upon
our relationship in Christ, Being born into God’s family by spiritual birth we
are one in him. Ephesians 4:4-6, and our walking in the light 1 John 1:17
As members
of the natural body work harmoniously with one another in their particular
places so do the members of the body of Christ fill various places. 1
Corinthian 12:27-31
The essence of the
whole twelve chapter of 1 Corinthian is that all the gifts are working for the
benefit of the whole body.
These gifts will not
work in no other body, but Christ’s church
The body must be
unified.
Unity is
perfected through the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost.
Unity cannot come
about by church joining. There can be no spiritual fellowship between saved and
unsaved (2 Corinthian 6:14).
True, scriptural,
spiritual unity cannot be brought about by merging, federating, or any other mode
of external organization or union.
The bible must be
the only rule of faith. All man made creeds and disciplines must be rejected as
the basis of unity.
Conscience matters
or personal convictions, can never serve as the basis of unity. Romans
14:1-23. Only the teachings of God’s holy word, as we stand for the message.
True unity comes
only as we are one in Christ. There is then perfect fellowship regardless of
race, age, sex, intellectual, social, or material position in life. Galatians
3:28
Results of
Unity impacts a city!
·
Church in Jerusalem: They were in one accord…fear came upon every soul…healings,
wonders and signs demonstrated…they parted to all men as every man had
need…having favor with all the people!
·
Church in Ephesus: They broke down the middle walls…kept the unity…one Body with
Christ as the Head…Body fitly joined together…all of Asia heard the word of
Jesus!
·
Church in Antioch: They experienced miracles, diseases departed and evil
spirits went out…Fear fell on them all and the Name of the Lord Jesus was
magnified…They ministered to Jesus…Holy Spirit spoke and “sent out ones” were
dispatched to the nations!
·
Church in Thessalonica: They turned the world upside down…work of faith…labor of
love…ensamples to all!
·
Church in Rome: Their faith was spoken of throughout the whole
world!
See also these Editorial
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