The Beauty of Bible Unity

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GOD ORDAINED UNITY

Does God expect all professed believers to believe the Bible the same way? Yes. Is there evidence to support the above affirmation? Yes. In fact, there is evidence in both Testaments. All men from Adam (Cain, Abel, Abraham, etc.) to Moses were required to worship God the same way. God changed the law when He gave the Law of Moses (Exd.20). God changed from the Law of Moses to the Law of Christ (al.6:1-2; Heb.7:12). Undoubtedly, the Gospel of Christ is universal.

Israel as a nation of millions was required to observe the Passover and other required feasts at the same time every year in identical fashion (Exd.12:14-27). NOTE: God gave only one law for all participants (Exd.12:47-50).

Another example of God-ordained unity is revealed in 2 Kings 22nd and 23rd chapters. After many years of noncompliance, King Josiah restored true worship by following the commands found in the Book of the Law of the Lord (2 Kng.22:8-13). The same can and has been done in the Gospel Age.

 

OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES

 

NEHEMIAH CHAPTER EIGHT: A PORTRAIT OF RELIGIOUS UNITY

  1. Unity of location (v.1). They all met in one designated place.
  2. Unity of belief and purpose (v.1). They all requested the Law.
  3. Unity of understanding (v.2). God’s Law is capable of being understood alike by all men. NOTE: God does not command anything of us that we are incapable of understanding.
  4. Unity of attention span (v.3). They all gave strict attention to the reading of the Law.
  5. Unity of respect (v.5). Their actions revealed their respect for the word of God.
  6. Unity of worship (v.6). Every one participated in praising the Almighty. 
  7. Unity among teachers (vv.7-8). Their goal and message were the same. They, through plain teaching, caused the audience to understand God’s Word.
  8. Unity of emotions (vv.9-12). The target of the Word is the human heart. Does the Word of God ever cause you to weep because of God’s goodness? The end result was mirth or joy because they had a better understanding of God’s Word.
  9. Unity in the leadership (v.13). The chief of the fathers took the initiative to learn better their tasks as prescribed in the Law.
  10. Unity of practice (vv.14-18). This is a description of the Feast of Tabernacles or tents (cf.Lev.23:33-43; Deu.16:13-15). Pay attention to the detailed instructions they all had to honor alike. The latter part of verse 17 reveals what takes place when hearts are serving the Lord in the manner in which He has instructed: “And there was very great gladness.”

PSALM 133: PRAISE FOR RELIGIOUS UNITY

 

Psalm 133 is one of the greatest expressions revealed in Holy Writ concerning unity. This wonderful psalm illustrates from both the sacred and secular realm the importance of God-ordained unity. From the sacred realm, unity is pictured as (1) praiseworthy or good and pleasant (v.1); (2) to dwell together in a godly manner is likewise powerful; how true is the song, “Bless be the ties that bind;” (3) it is pure like the oil used to anoint Aaron (Exd.30:22-33) (v.2); God is the One Who created the prescription or ingredients; the same applies to the church (1 Cor.10-13); VITAL: Previously, each item apart from the others could be used for many purposes; when mixed together, they all had the same purpose; (4) it provides an escape, or sets apart the righteous, from counterfeit versions of unity; the holy anointing oil used on Aaron and his sons signified that the priesthood was ordained of God; (5) it possesses the highest quality of unity; Aaron, the high priest, held the highest office; true unity is togetherness of the highest sort; ( 6) it is precious like the pure, anointing oil, because it originated with God.

The illustration from the secular realm imparts to us that (1) unity is vital to life—like the dew is for plant life survival in some climates (v.3); (2) unity removes disruptions. Dew cannot occur during a storm or when strife is present; all must be calm if dew is going to be manufactured.

 

THE CRUX OF THE PSALM: “For there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore” (v.3).  “There” refers to approved unity. Satan’s strategy is to divide and conquer.

 

THE UNDENIABLE THEME OF UNITY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

 

  1. There are direct references to unity/oneness in all twenty seven books of the NT.
  2. Those who advocate or agree with the principles of denominationalism are either unlearned or indifferent regarding what the NT deems as unlawful division.
  3. KEY: The best and simplest way to understand this most important principle is to be acquainted with the “pattern” and “seed” principles.  Every church in the Bible is a replica or duplicate of the original. God left us a Pattern (Rom.6:17—“form” in the KJV). All churches in the Bible are of Christ because the same Pattern was used to establish them. Hence, their doctrines, worship, organizational structure, plan of salvation were/are identical. All Christians were begotten or born again of the same seed (Gen.1:11-12; Luke 8:11; 1 Pet.1:22-25).
  4. Let’s study together the evidence.

THE UNDENIABLE EVIDENCE

 

  1. Matthew: “Not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven;” (7:21-23); “A house or kingdom divided against itself shall not stand” (12:22-25); “I will build my church (singular)” (16:18).
  2. Mark: “That there be some of them that stand here, which should not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power” (9:1); “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature” (16:15-16).
  3. Luke: “The seed is the word of God (Gospel) (8:11); a seed can only produce after its own kind (Gen.1:11-12); there can only be one product produced—Christians. Repentance and remission of sins should be preached among all nations solely in the name of Jesus (24:46-47).
  4. John: The Lamb of God takes away the sin of the world (1:29). All must believe in Jesus in the same manner (3:16). All must worship the same person (the Father) in the same way (spirit and truth) (4:23-24). There is one Shepherd and one sheepfold (church) (10:16). Jesus is the one way to God (14:6). Jesus prayed for unity among His disciples (John 17:11,20-23). Please underscore or highlight how many times the actual word “one” is mentioned.
  5. Acts: All must obey the Gospel the same way (2:37-38). All the saved are in the church (2:47). All must wear the God-given, unifying name (Isa.62:1-2; Acts 11:26; 26:28). Only one church was purchased with Christ’s blood (20:28).
  6. Romans: The Gospel is addressed to all men; the Gospel is the only way by which a man can be saved (1:16). The Gospel is God’s “form” or “pattern” (6:17). All churches in the Bible were of Christ (16:16). VITAL: Those who promote and preach unlawful division must be marked or exposed (16:17).
  7. 1 Corinthians: Christians are called into the fellowship of Christ (1 Cor.1:9; 2 Thes.2:14). We are commanded to preach/teach/believe the same thing (1:10-13). The church is the body of Christ (1 Cor.12).
  8. 2 Corinthians: All men will be judged by the same standard (5:10). All must be in Christ in order to become a new creature (5:17). Light (the church) cannot have fellowship with darkness (6:14-15). The church is the temple of God (6:16).
  9. Galatians: Only the Gospel of Christ is to be preached (1:6-10). All believers must be baptized into Christ (3:26-29). All Christians can fall from grace (5:1-4). All Christians are under the Law of Christ (6:1-2). All must live according to the same rule or canon or standard (6:16).
  10. Ephesians: Only the church has access to all spiritual blessings (1:3). God has adopted the saved into His family (1:5). The church is the purchased possession of God (1:14). The church is the body of Christ (1:22-23). The church is the household of God (2:19). There is but one faith (4:5). All Christians are to worship God the same way (5:19). The Lord is married to only one bride/church (5:22-32; see Jeremiah 3:6-14; 31:32). VITAL: There are as many bodies and brides as their heads and husbands of the church.
  11. Philippians: Our exclusive fellowship is in or through the Gospel (1:5). We are to walk by the same rule (3:16). Our citizenship is in Heaven (3:20).
  12. Colossians: Christians are translated into Christ’s kingdom (1:13). The church is the body of Christ (1:18). We must put off the old man and put on the new (3:9-10). All Christians are to let the words/teachings of Christ dwell in them the same way (3:16). Whatever we do in word (teaching/doctrine) or deed (actions) we must do by Christ’s authority (3:17).
  13. 1 Thessalonians: God calls all men into His kingdom (2:12). All of the saved will be joining Jesus at the same time (4:13-18). Christians are children of light (5:5).
  14. 2 Thessalonians: All churches at that time were churches of God/Christ (1:4). All the wicked will receive the same punishment and all the righteous will receive the same reward (1:7-10). All become saved through the same process (2:13). All men are called by the Gospel (2:14). There is a universal law regarding church discipline (3:6,13-15).
  15. 1 Timothy: Only one body of doctrine is allowed (1:3). Christ‘s aim is to save all sinners (1:15). Only one King reigns over the Lord’s kingdom (1:17). There is only one mediator between God and man (2:5). There is a universal doctrine related to men and women in the assembly of the saints (2:8-15). The organizational structure of the church is universal (3:1-13; Acts 14:23). The church is the house of God (3:15).
  16. 2 Timothy: We are required to pass on or deposit to those who are faithful the same doctrine (2:2). Christians are soldiers in the same army (1 Tim.1:18; 2 Tim.2:3-4; 2 Cor.10:3; Eph.6:10ff). We are required to employ the same approach to biblical interpretation and teaching (2:15). We are only to use the Scriptures in matters of life and doctrine (3:16-17).
  17. Titus: All churches are subject to the same organizational structure (1:5). All who aspire to become elders/bishops/pastors are subject to the same qualifications, regardless of location and/or time (1:6-9). All are required to use the same body of doctrine when confronting false teachers—sound doctrine (1:9). All members are governed by the same body of doctrine—sound doctrine (2:1-10). God’s grace is directed all men the same way using the same doctrine (2:11-12).
  18. Philemon: Christians are fellow laborers and soldiers (vv.1-2, 24) (1 Cor.3:9; Rom.16:21; 2 Cor.8:23). Philemon established a church out of his house; he used the same material all faithful preachers used to establish it—the Seed of God (Luke 8:11; Rom.16:5; 1 Cor.16:9).
  19. Hebrews: Christ is the King over His kingdom the church (1:8). Christians are holy brethren and partakers of the same calling (3:1). Christ built His house/church (Mat.16:18; Heb.3:3,6). There is a singular rest—Heaven–for the people of God (4:9-11). There is only one priesthood (Heb.7:12; 1 Pet.2:5). Christians are under the New Covenant/Testament (8:6-13).
  20. James: All men must be doers of the Word in the same fashion (1:22-24). All men must adhere to the perfect law of liberty (1:25; 2:12). Christian is the worthy name by which we are called (Acts 11:26; Jms.2:25). This name promotes true unity. All Christians are subject to the royal law (Jms.2:8; Lev.19:18). All Christians/churches have the same instructions regarding sickness, cheerfulness, prayer and sin (5:13-16).
  21. 1 Peter: All Christians share in the same living hope and inheritance by Christ’s resurrection (1:3). All Christians are required to live the same way (1:15-16). All Christians are born again by the same process and material (1:22-25). Christians as living stones are a part of the spiritual house of God, the church (2:5). Christians make up the holy/royal priesthood and holy nation (singular) (2:5, 9). Christians are an elect race or chosen generation (2:9). Christians are a peculiar people or a people of God’s own possession (2:9). All Christians are saved by water (3:20-21).
  22. 2 Peter: All Christians have “like precious” or of “equal value” faith (1:1). All Christians have been given the same blessings (1:3-4). All Christians are required to add to their character the same attributes or traits or fruit (1:5-10). Christians can so sin as to lose their salvation (2:20-22).
  23. 1John: There is a universal formula for fellowshipping God (1:3-10). There is a universal means of obtaining atonement (2:2; 4:10). All Christians are the sons of God (3:1-2). God’s seed is only in His children (Col.3:16; Luke 8:11; 1 Pet.1:23; 1 John 3:9).
  24. 2 John: All believers must walk in the truth as commanded by the Father (v.4). All believers must abide in the doctrine (singular-the body of His teachings) of Christ in the same fashion—the crux of unity (vv.9-11).
  25. 3 John: Faithful Christians are fellow helpers in the church for the truth (3 John 8; 1 Cor.3:9). Those who do good (acts accepted by) are of God (3 John 11; 1 Pet.3:11).
  26. Jude: Christians have a shared or equal or common salvation (Jude 3; 2 Pet.1:1). There is but one Faith to which we must pledge our allegiance and vigorously defend (Jude 3; Acts 6:7; Eph.4:5). This one Faith was delivered or revealed only once and for all time (Jude 3).
  27. Revelation: All the saved are washed in Jesus’ own blood (Rev.1:5; Heb.9:14; 1 John 1:7). All Christians make up the royal priesthood (Rev.1:6; 1 Pet.2:9). All Christians are in the kingdom (Rev.1:9; Col.1:13). There is a universal Standard by which God will judge all men (Rev.20:11-15; 22:12; Matt.16:27; Rom.2:6; 2 Cor.5:10). All the righteous will drink from the same fountain of water (Rev.21:6; John 4:10, 14).

 

CONCLUSION

  1. It cannot be overlooked that our Lord prayed for (John 17:11, 20-23), paid for (Eph.2:16), pleaded for (1 Cor.1:10), planned for (Eph.4:1-6), and provided a Pattern for unity (Rom.6:16-17).
  2. Ephesians 4:1-7 relays this message by revealing the seven “ones.” (1) The mandate of unity—that ye walk worthy of the vocation or calling (v1). (2) The mindset of unity—with all lowliness of mind.(v.2). (3) The mission of unity—endeavoring.(v.3); “endeavoring” is the same term translated “study” (2 Tim.2:15); it means to give your absolute best. (4) The material/means of achieving unity—(A) one body—unity of organization; (B) one Spirit—unity of guidance; (C) one hope—unity of aspiration; (D) one faith—unity of message; (E) one Lord—unity of authority; (F) one baptism—unity of practice; and (G) one God—unity of worship.
  3. It should be obvious to the unbiased mind that the Bible reveals only one “type” or “kind” of Christianity—undenominational—not interdenominational, etc.
  4. There is no support for multiple faiths (Eph.4:5).
  5. There is no support for multiple plans of salvation (John 14:6; Mark 16:15-16).
  6. There is no support for multiple, divisive names by which God’s people are called (Acts 11:26; Jms.2:7).
  7. There is no support for multiple founders of the church (Matt.16:18).
  8. There is no support for multiple types of seeds (doctrines) to be sown into the hearts of men (Gen.1:11-12; Luke 8:11; 1 Pet.1:22-25).
  9. There is no support for multiple church headquarters; the church’s headquarters are in Heaven (Eph.1:22-23).
  10. The doctrines and traditions of men must be evaded and only the Gospel embraced (Matt.15:9; Col.2:2).
  11. Family religious traditions must be abandoned if they conflict with the Truth (John 4:20-24).
  12. There is no support for multiple forms or “types” of worship (John 4:23-24).
  13. Ignorance of the truth is not an acceptable excuse (Acts 3:17; 17:30).