Bible unity is the answer to our Lord's prayer in (John 17:20-21), "That they all may be one," being neither a denomination nor a movement founded by men. It includes all the redeemed that have been united by the Spirit (Eph 4:3), but excludes all sinners. The Church of God promotes the spiritual, visible, unity of all true believers. This is accomplished as each individual departs from all earthly-organized denominations or sectarian groups (Rev18:4) that own a human headquarters or subscribe to a humanly- constructed creed or Manual of Discipline (Acts 5:29; Eph 4:14), or any organization that joins believers into religious fellowship with unbelievers (II Cor 6:14-18).

The Unity of God’s People

 Sectarian divisions were wrong in the apostolic age and they are wrong today.  Ephesian 4:1-16; Acts 4:32.  Paul denounce 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. Ephesian 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.  Ephesian 2:11-18; Galatian 3:27,28.
• The great controversy in the early church could have resulted in 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 15^th chapter.

 

The principle cause of division is carnaility, 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 inseperable. 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. Ephesian 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 mergig, 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. Galatian 3:28

CHURCH IN UNITY IMPACTS THE CITY!

 

1. 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!

 

2. Church in Ephesus:  They broke down the walls…kept the unity…one Body with Christ as the Head…Body fitly joined together…all of Asia heard the word of Jesus!

 

3. 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!

 

4. Church in Thessalonica: They turned the world upside down…work of faith…labor of love…ensamples to all!

 

5. Church in Rome: Their faith was spoken of throughout the whole world!

 

6. Church in Winnsboro: One Body…His living stones connected together…gathering in different locations… uniquely expressing His life as congregations and as individual parts of the whole Body fitted together!