With so many Christian denominations and new church groups, complete unity seems a long way off.
But over the last decade or so, each denomination (generally speaking) has seemed less entrenched and critical towards others.
In 1910 the Ecumenical Movement was started which promoted unity :
After the International Missionary Conference held at Edinburgh in 1910, Protestants began to use the term ecumenism to describe the gathering of missionary, evangelistic, service, and unitive forces…
‘Ecumenism’ Britannica 1
In 1937 at the Oxford Conference of Life and Work, proposals were drawn up to unite churches with Faith and Order.
To this end, the World Council of Churches, a consultative and conciliar agent of ecumenism, working with national, denominational, regional, and confessional bodies, was inaugurated in Amsterdam in 1948.
But unity can come with a cost on what truth to unite around.
So what is the answer to finding Christian unity?
Table of Contents:
1. What is Christian unity, is it more than a group mentality?
I was in a church and someone leading the service asked us to pray for Christians who were being killed in Asia, and then he said an extraordinary thing.
He said; “And what makes this situation worse is that they are xxxxx [his denomination], our own brothers and sisters!”
I found such a statement repulsive.
Regardless of which denomination they represented, in my observation above, they were Christians being killed, people bought with the price of the blood of Christ.
People who were God’s own possession, the redeemed of the Lord.
Surely that is enough?
But before we start ‘tutting’ at this person, all Christian groupings fall into this trap – yes and that includes the ‘new’ churches and the house churches.
It shouldn’t matter what denomination, or group, people are from.
See an article on choosing people for church leadership and its problems.
2. What is Christian unity: The denominations are so different!
What are denominations in the Kingdom of God?
It’s people that are important.
Christians are now in fellowship with Almighty God.
Paul told the Corinthians:-
… God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 NIV
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.
What I mean is this: One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?
Were you baptised into the name of Paul?”
Hopefully, we would all agree, that to look down on another group of Christians is wrong, and it is divisive.
Our group or denomination can get into that mentality of ‘I follow Apollos.’ or Cephas, or Paul, or ‘We follow Christ!’
Look at this true situation where a Christian leader destroyed an outreach in a village so that they could ‘start a work there’.
Or this article about Satan knowing the importance of unity.
3. How did Jesus see Christian unity?
Jesus prayed:
…that they may be one as we are one…
John 17:11 & 20-23 NIV
My prayer is not for them alone.
I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one…
May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Many people stop there, so how can we get to that place of complete unity?
4. United around Jesus’ voice
Hopefully, we will want to be united around Jesus and not just united around a denomination.
The whole essence of a Christian is that we follow Jesus Christ, and this involves obedience:-
…the sheep listen to his voice.
John 10:3 NIV
He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.“
5. Unity involves being obedient to God’s Word.
A Christian knows where to find the voice of Jesus, which is in the Bible!
What is the Bible? God’s Word, the Truth.
In John chapter seventeen, where Jesus prays for unity, even here Jesus says that the disciples ‘have obeyed your word.’
I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world.
John 17:6-8 NIV
They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.
Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.
For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them.
They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.”
6. United around Jesus and holding onto the Truth.
In John eight Jesus tells us that being a disciple involves knowing and holding onto all the teachings of Jesus.
In other words, a Christian is someone who seeks to find all of Jesus’ teachings and obey them. Jesus said:
If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
John 8:31-32 NIV
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
7. Unity involves belonging to God.
Then in this same teaching session, Jesus explains why people do not accept His teachings.
It is because they do not belong to God:
Why is my language not clear to you?
John 8:43-47 NIV
Because you are unable to hear what I say.
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire…
He who belongs to God hears what God says.
The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.“
Someone who does not belong to God will not understand God’s teachings.
They do not want to obey the Lord’s commands, therefore they are not a Christian.
But someone who knows and loves Jesus Christ will have the desire to understand and submit to God’s Truth, the Bible:
If you love me, you will obey my commandments.
John 14:15-17 & 24 God’s Word translation
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper who will be with you forever.
That is the Spirit of truth…
A person who doesn’t love me doesn’t do what I say.“
The apostle Paul commands the Christians at Thessalonica to:
.. stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.”
2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 NIV
Hold onto the teachings.
These teachings are not something to be casually tossed aside for the sake of unity.
In fact, we unite around these teachings.
Unity is important among Christians, and Christians are those who have a desire to obey all of God’s teachings.
Not to work for their salvation, no, they are saved by faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and therefore they now want to obey Him as Lord and Saviour.
So unity is being united around Jesus’ teachings.
8. A unity that divides. Some want to believe others do not.
We will be looking at two types of people who do not follow Jesus’ teaching.
Being in unity is being united around Jesus’ teachings, but it is a unity that divides.
There may be differences on many things, but we need to agree on the core beliefs – perhaps those expressed in the Nicene Creed [The full version is supplied at the bottom of this page]:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,
Nicene Creed
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God” … etc.
It is brilliant that the different denominations are reaching out to each other.
This is really important and I don’t want to dampen any of that, but in dealing with the subject of unity I need to touch upon the two types of people who do not follow Jesus’ teaching:
Some WANT to believe all that the Bible teaches…
But because they are a young Christian, that is young in the faith, or they have had poor teaching, they hold incorrect views which stop them from being in unity with other Christians.
Obviously, if this person is shown from the Bible their error, they will have a desire to do what is right, because they will see the Bible as being the Word of God, and they will want to submit to it.
When their incorrect teaching, or lack of knowledge, has been sorted, then they can be united with other believers who follow Jesus’ teachings.
Others choose not to obey the teachings of the Bible
This person is a threat to the church and individuals.
The apostle Paul tells us to not spend time with such a person, he is not talking about non-Christians, but those who appear to be Christians but who don’t submit to God.
Paul told the Roman Christians:
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.
Romans 16:18-19 NIV
Keep away from them.
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.
By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people.
Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you;
but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.”
It is interesting to note, that many of these people who don’t want to obey the Bible, don’t like the old creeds either.
They are happier with a ‘truth’ that evolves, that gets moulded by modern culture.
Beware of such people.
We need to feed on the Truth of the Bible, to learn about God, His will, His salvation, etc – this is known as doctrine.
What is the Gospel message – you may be surprised.
9. But watch our own attitude
We are not to go around with a cold, heartless attitude.
We must not have arguments over every petty thing.
It’s not:- ‘I’ve got my eye on you! Put a foot wrong and you will be kicked out of the church.’
We all make many mistakes and hopefully, we all want to live a life that is pleasing to God, but we all fail.
This is NOT what we are talking about here.
We are talking about protecting the Truth of the Bible, having a zeal that God’s Word should be held in honour, and that it should be obeyed.
But where someone is distorting the Word of God, then we need to point the Truth out from the Bible.
Paul wrote to Timothy:
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
2 Timothy 2:23-26 NIV
And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel;
instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
God has entrusted us with His wonderful Word.
It is the revealed Truth about God Himself and His purposes, and where we come in relation to all of this.
Paul tells the Ephesians:
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3-6 NIV
There is one body and one Spirit just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.“
I will finish with Paul’s words to the Philippians:
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Philippians 1:27-28 NIV
Then, whether I come and see you, or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.
This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved and that by God.”
Modern Wording of the Nicene Creed:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,
‘Nicene Creed’ Anglican Communion. 4
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son].
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
AMEN.
See these articles:
Satan knows the importance of unity.
At times Christians build their own kingdoms and behave badly.
Church leadership problems – choosing authentic leaders.
Is the church relevant today?
References and credits – open in new tabs:
Photo Credit: Jeanne Menjoulet Flickr via Compfight cc ↩
Author: Council of Nicea. This is a faithful photographic reproduction of a two-dimensional, public-domain work of art. ↩
‘Nicene Creed’ Anglican Communion. ↩