Unity

Unity

There are more than 30,000 denominations of so-called “Christianity” in the world today. Over 1,200 denominations of Christianity are found in the United States. When we read about denominations, we need to understand what denominationalism is. The word “denomination” is used to describe many different branches, or divisions from one group. And so, when reading about denominations of Christianity, we need to understand those which are considered different denominations, are really only just divisions of so called “Christianity”. However, where is this found in New Testament scripture? Many people in the world will consider themselves to be Christians while identifying their denomination to be Baptist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, or even Non-Denominational Christian. When speaking with some of these individuals who attend these denominations, they may tell you, “we believe that God is the creator of the universe and His personalities are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”; however, they will also tell you their differences in beliefs, in which one denomination will believe what that the other does not. Some may tell you they believe salvation can be reached by faith alone. Some may tell you once you are saved, you are always saved. And some may tell you, all you need to do to reach salvation is to say the “sinner’s prayer.” However; no matter how many divisions there are in the world today who teach different things, there is only one truth. There is only one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one God and Father, and yes one baptism. What we read in New Testament scripture is unity, in which there is only one church. The one church is the body of Christ, in which there are no divisions, branches, denominations, groups, or subgroups.

Friends, where can we read about divisions in the New Testament scripture?  In John 17:20-23, we read Jesus praying for His disciples. Beginning in verse 20, it reads “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one as though, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that though hast sent me. And the glory which though gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that though hast sent me, and hast loved them, as though hast loved me.”  Jesus is praying for the disciples to have as much unity as he has with God the Father. Jesus is praying that we all may be one, as He is with God the Father. Jesus and God the Father are perfect in one. They speak the same thing, and they teach the same thing. And so when grasping what Jesus is praying for, in which is unity; let us reflect on His desire and expectation for us to have in as much unity as He has with God the father. And so how different can they be, if they are perfect in one? What contradictions can they have, if they are perfect in one? How many different doctrines can they teach, if they are perfect in one? There are no differences in doctrine, and no contradictions. Friends, we are expected to have that perfect unity as “Father, art in me, and I in thee.”  The result is for the world to believe. God would not command the church to do something that cannot be achieved. And, the church is commanded to be one, as it says in 1 Corinthians 1: 10 “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”  When we achieve perfect unity, the world will believe.

Friends, how many individuals have been asked to study the bible, and have no idea where to start? How many individuals have been invited to attend a Sunday worship assembly, and have no idea where to go? How many individuals are curious about God and Christianity, and have no idea what to believe?  In a time of confusion, where there are 30,000 denominations in the world, it is no wonder why so many people reject the Gospel. It is now more than ever, just as relevant to have perfect unity, as it was when Jesus prayed for unity for his disciples.  The religious world will accept all denominations as the one church; however, the bible will teach the church of Christ as the one church, Acts 2:47. The religious world will accept all different teachings and doctrines as the word of God; however, the bible will teach there is only one doctrine, and to not be “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” Ephesians 4:4. The religious world will accept all men who teach these different doctrines to be saved; however, the bible will teach to “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Romans 16:17.  The religious world will accept to not make a big deal about differences in doctrine; however, the bible will teach “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1 Timothy 4:16.  The religious world will accept salvation can be reached without water baptism, and that baptism does not save you; however, the bible will teach “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” Mark 16:16. Friends, it is clear what men teach in different denominations is not what you read about in New Testament scripture. When we remove the authority of the scripture, we will no longer have unity. The bible is what binds us together. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. We read in John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth.”

And so, when there is a de-emphasis in the doctrine, there will be division. When one believes it’s not so bad to believe in different things, there will be division. When one believes it’s not all that important to believe in the one doctrine, there will be division. And when one dumbs down the doctrine, there will be division. Is it really not a big deal when there are divisions in Christianity? Jesus died for unity, as we read about in Ephesians 2: 11-15. Jesus broke down the middle wall of partition and made the Jews and the Gentiles one, and that they are both brought to God by Jesus’s blood.  Friends, what does it say about Jesus’ death when there is no unity? If Jesus planned for unity, prayed for unity, and died for unity, it is a very big deal where there are divisions in Christianity. And so, friends, do not believe in these many different doctrines; but rather in the one truth. If there is only one Godhead, there is only one word. If there is only one word, there is only one church. If there is only one church, there is only one path to salvation. There is one road to eternal life, and one road to eternal destruction. Which one will you choose? We can read in Acts 2:47, after those who heard Peter’s sermon preaching the first Gospel message, they were baptized for the remission of their sin, in the name of Jesus Christ. We read God added them to the church. And it reads “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” And so what church were they added? Was it any denomination you read about in this world? No. Friends, it was the Lord’s church. The church you read about in New Testament scripture. The Church of Christ. The church Jesus built, Matthew 16:18. In reaching eternal salvation, it is simple. We read, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” John 14:6. Friends, what will you believe?