UNITY
Introduction:
Unity is an important new testament doctrine and it is everyone’s responsibility.
Unity in the Lord’s church affects all of us
1.Spiritually (Proverbs 6:16-19)
2.Mentally
3.Physically
Unity is a good and pleasant environment and oneness is the antidote against infidelity. (Psalm 133:1, John 17:20-21)
Unity is important because Christ died to secure it and it is a major factor in our witness to the world. (Ephesians 2:13-16, John 17:20-23)
Unity is not primarily outward, but rather is an unseen reality based on shared life in Christ.
Unity among two or more people gets its virtue entirely from the motive. Unity itself is neutral until is given goodness or badness by something else.
If Herod and Pilate are unified by their common scorn for Jesus, then it is not a Good unity. (Luke 23:12), but if Paul and Silas sing together in prison for Christ’s sake (Acts 16:25), then it is a good unity.
Definition of Unity
It is the state of being one; oneness.
Concord; conjunction.
In Christian theology, it means oneness of sentiment, affection, behaviour, etc. (Psalm 133)
Unity of faith, is an equal belief of the same truths of God and possession of the grace of faith in like form and degree.
Unity of spirit, is the oneness which subsists between Christ and His saints, by which the same spirit dwells in both and both have the same disposition and aims; and it is the oneness of Christians among themselves, United under the same head, having the same spirit dwelling in them, and possessing the same grace, faith, love , hope, etc.
Unity can be with God or against God. Uniting against God, His Word and His Children causes God to rise in defense of His name.
Unity is a powerful tool for achieving plans and purposes but if operated in righteousness within the Christian fold, it is even more powerful. (Mt 18:19)
To operate the power of unity, there must be at least two people. These must share of the same faith in Christ. The subject of agreement must not conflict with God’s will or word and they must call on God in faith until they see result.
For true unity to exist in the church, there is need to forgive and release from our hearts those who have hurt us, we must accept God’s word as the basis of our union. We must be tolerant of the views of other and be prepared to sacrifice ours.
What makes Unity Christian?
Christian unity in the new testament gets its goodness from a combination of its source, its views, its affections and its aims.
SOURCE (Ephesians 4:3, 1 Corinthians 12:13)
The H.S is the great giver of unity.
VIEWS (Ephesians 4:13, Philippians 2:2, Philippians 4:2, Romans 15:5)
The unity we pursue is the unity in the truth.
AFFECTIONS (Galatians 6:10, Romans 12:10, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 3: 6)
Unifying love in the body of Christ includes a rugged committment to do good for the family of God whether you feel like or not.
Christian unity includes affectionate love, not just sacrifice for those they don’t like. It is a feeling of endearment; having affection for those who are our family in Christ.
AIM (John 13:34-35, John 17:6,21)
Spirit-rooted, Christ manifesting, truth-cherishing, humbky-loving unity is designed by God to have at least two aim.
- Witness to the world
- Acclamation of the glory of God.
The witness to the world is that the disciples are in the Father and the Son, so that the world might believe.
The oneness that shines with self-authenticatig Glory for the world to see is union with the Father and the Son so that the Glory of the Father and the Son is part of our lives. (John 17:22-23)
The ultimate aim of a Christian unity is the Glory of God. (Romans 15:5-7)
Implications of Christian Unity on us
- Seek the fullness of the unity creating Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18, Galatians 5:18,22-23)
- Strive to know and spread true views of Christ and His ways. (Ephesians 4:13, 2 Peter 3:18, Colossians 3:16)
- Love Christians across boundaries.
- Serve Christians across the boundaries.
Why is Unity Important?
- The Unity of the New Testament Church was important because
- Jesus prayed for it. (John 17:20-22)
- The Apostle Paul taught of it. (1 Cor. 1:10, 1 Cor. 3:3-5, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 2:1-2)
- The church practiced it. (Acts 4:32).
What Unity of the New testament was not.
- The unity of the New Testament Church was not:
- A union of conflicting forces
- A federation of denominations.
- An alliance of religion.
What unity of the New Testament Church was?
- The unity of the New Testament Church was
- Jews and Gentiles, bond and free, males and females, becoming one in Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-28)
- The unity of the New Testament Church was oneness in Christ.
- They believed the same gospel (Mark 16:15-16; Romans 1:16; Galatians 1:6-9)
- They had obeyed the same gospel.
- Heard (Romans 10:14,17); believed (John 8:24); Repented (Luke 13:3); confessed (Matthew 10:32); Baptised (Acts 2:38)
- They had been added to the same church (Acts 2:47)
- They kept the same ordinance. (1 Corinthians 11:2)
- They continued in the same doctrine (Acts 2:42)
- They were of the same mind. (Philippians 1:27)
- They spoke the same things
- They walked by the same rule. (Philippians 3:16)
- They wore the same name. (Acts 11:26)
- They had the same love one for another. (Philippians 2:2)
THE BASIS OF UNITY
The Bible gives us the pillars of unity (Ephesians 4:1-6)
- One body – unity of organization. (Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 2:16)
1.. This refers to the body of Christ, the church. – Ephesians 1:22-23
- Paul speaks of the church in the universal sense.
- The body of saved believers throughout the world.
- Of which Christ is the head and saviour of the body. (Ephesians 5:23)
- While there are may be many local churches, there is only one universal church, with one head- Jesus Christ.
- One Spirit- unity of revelation (John 16:13)
- This would be the Holy Spirit.
- He is described as:
- As the Holy Spirit of promise Ephesians 1:13
- Guarantee of our inheritance. Ephesians 1:14
- By whom both Jew and Gentiles have access to the Father. Ephesians 2:18
- In whom God inhabits those who are being built as a holy temple. Ephesians 2:21-22
- Through whom God strengthens with might the inner man. Ephesians 3:16
- As the one whose unity is to be maintained in the bond of peace
- One Hope of our calling -Unity of aim.(1 Peter 1:3-4)
- This pertains primarily the resurrection of the dead. (Acts 23:6, 24:15, Romans 8:23-24, 1 Cor. 15:19-23, Philippians 3:10-11, 20-21)
- Which necessarily includes such concepts of salvation. (1 Thess 5:8 and eternal life. (Titus 1:2, 3:7)
- One Lord -Unity of Authority (1 Cor.8:6, Phil. 2:9-11)
- Represents Jesus -1 Cor. 8:5-6
- Whom God has made both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:36
- One Baptism -unity of practice (Mt. 28:19, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, 1 Pet. 3:21)
- This is the baptism commended by Jesus (Mt. 28:18-20, Mk. 16:15-16)
- Preached and commanded by His apostles. (Acts 2:38, 10:48)
- By which those who submit to it are added to the Lord’s body – the Church. (Acts 2:42, 47)
This is the baptism which a penitent believer is immersed in water for the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Christ. (Acts 2:38, 10:47-48)
- One Faith -Unity of doctrine (Jude 3; Ephesians 4:13)
- This is the body of truth, the faith which Jude says was once delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)
- It is that pattern of sound words of that which Paul taught Timothy. (2 Tim. 1:13) and which he was to commit to faithful men. (2 Tim. 2:2)
- We find this pattern of sound words in the pages of the New testament which contains that which all Christians must believe.
- One God and Father -Unity of deity. (Deu 6:4, Isa 43:10)
- The Father, who together with the son and the Holy Spirit, makes up the God head.
- He is the Father of all and He transcends all and is omnipresent.
THE REASON/NECESSITY FOR UNITY
There are a number of reasons why we need to be united.
- Jesus prayed for it. (John 17:20-22)
- That the world might believe.
- That the church might be glorious. (John 17:22)
- There is encouragement in unity.
- There is Joy in Unity. (Psalm 133:1)
- There is progress is unity. (Acts 2:46-47)
- There is strength in unity (Mat. 12:25).
- There is power in unity. (Esther 4:16 and 5)
- Unity fosters Evangelism -Unity fosters belief which in turn encourages evangelism.
- Unity promotes fellowship (1 Cor. 1:10-11, 1 Cor. 12:25-27)
- God gives his blessings where believers live together in unity. (Romans 15:5-6)
- Living together in unity is the foretaste of heaven. (2 Cor. 1:21-22)
- Unity can accomplish almost anything on the face of the Earth. (Genesis 11:5-6, Neh. 2:18)
- Where unity is exhibited correctly, God is involved.
- Where there is unity, promise will easily be fulfilled. (Acts 2:1-4)
ATTITUDES FOR MAINTAINING UNITY
- Lowliness
- This word means
- The having of a humble opinion of oneself.
- A deep sense of one’s (moral) littleness.
- Modesty, humility, lowliness of mind.
- This virtue is necessary in other to properly value others around us. -Philippians 2:3-4
- Without this virtue, members in the body begin trying to be the head of the body, a role reserved only for Christ.
Gentleness
- This word can be translated as gentleness, mildness, meekness.
- It is not a quality of weakness, but of power under control.
- Moses was a meek man (Num. 12:3), but capable of great strength and boldness.
- Jesus was meek and lowly in heart. (Mt. 11:29), but he drive the money changers out of the temple.
- This, it is being gentle, even when there is the potential for being harsh, but gentleness is more conducive for maintaining unity.
Long-suffering
- The idea here is one of patience, forbearance, long-suffering, slowness in avenging wrongs.
- When the body consists of members who are not perfect, and often sin against each other, maintaining unity is not possible unless they are willing to endure each other’s imperfections
- Bearing with one another in love
- Similar to the above, bearing means to sustain, to bear to endure.
- What makes such long-suffering and forbearance possible is another virtue -Love (1 Cor. 13:4-5, Col 3:12-14
Endeavour
- Displaying these virtues does not come naturally nor easy, nor does maintaining unity.
- This the need for much effort, as Paul uses a word which means to exert one’s self, endeavour, give diligence.
- Only by giving diligence to display all the virtues, can we hope to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)
MEANS OF OVERCOMING DISUNITY
- Remain loyal to the Church
- Confess your part in the disunity (James 5:16)
- Forgive any who have offender you. (Mt. 6:14-15, Eph 4:31-32)
- Guard your tongue (Prov. 15:1, Prov. 18:21)
- Don’t judge the motives of others (Mt. 7:1-3, James 4:11-12)
- Remember that the church is the family. (Gal. 6:10, Eph. 2:19, Psalm 133:1)
Unity does not mean that everyone has to see everything alike all the time. Rather, unity means that even when we don’t see things alike, we continue to love and respect one another and treat, and speak to each other with kindness and consideration.