Liberty Letter -111 The Standard For Christian Unity (Part 1 of 2)

“16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:16-17, KJV).
INTRODUCTION
Loved ones, for a number of years there has been an upsurge of interest in the subject of Christian unity. All the denominational groups have expressed concern over the division that exists religiously around the world. Their conferences have been held in which they have brought in their representatives to explore the possibility of some kind of unity among them.
Such a movement has been called the "Ecumenical Movement" which denotes the idea of a "one-world church." The principal idea underlying this movement is the hope that a plan can be adopted whereby the denominational world can merge together, resulting in a single super-organization. Of course, there would have to be a creedal statement drafted in a form broad enough to be acceptable to all those involved.
Personally, we do not believe that such a statement will ever be found that could unite the denominational world in their ecumenical movement. Unity through denominationalism is not Christian unity! It is not the unity we will be discussing as you continue to read.
Let us look seriously at the Bible basis for unity. What does the Bible say regarding unity? What did Jesus and other inspired writers have to say on the subject? Is unity possible? These are just some of the areas we hope to cover as you continue to read!
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNITY
The Emphasis Of Christ
Whenever we discuss the subject of unity we are discussing a tremendously important subject. We know that is true because of the emphasis our Lord put on the subject. Listen to our Lord Jesus as He earnestly prayed in His great intercessory prayer for the unity of all His disciples.
“17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me” (John 17:17-23).
Jesus affirmed in this passage that belief in Him was based on the unity of His believers. This unity is a demonstration of the divineness of the ONE Christian faith (Ephesians 4:5). Jesus prayed for unity! It is His will, His fervent prayer, that all of His faithful followers pull together as "one," even as He, the Spirit, and the Father are one.
The Emphasis Of Inspired Writers
The emphasis other inspired men gave concerning this issue also shows its importance:
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1).
“The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common” (Acts 4:32).
“Be of the same mind one toward another” (Romans 12:16).
“5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5-6).
“Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11).
“Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:2).
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8).
These are just a few of the many passages that deal with the Bible subject of unity. From these alone we can see the importance given to this subject by the Holy Spirit.
The Standard
What is a standard? A standard is that which is set up and established by authority as the criterion, or test, or as a source. As to matters pertaining to the soul it means: the source of right answers to spiritual questions.
We understand the importance of a standard in all areas of life. Chaos would reign supreme if there were not standards to follow. In the social and physical realms everyone realizes the need for a standard. In the same way, an objective standard is absolutely crucial to properly answering questions which pertain to man's salvation from sin (the religious realm).
It is not enough just to have answers to religious questions; we need to have the right answers! Being right religiously involves a recognition of and submission to the proper standard, that is, the will of God (cf. Matthew 7:21; Luke 6:46).
False Standards. There are some things which are viewed as true of standards which are not true.
Some people use their own feelings as a standard. Matthew 7:21-23 shows that just because one feels entirely satisfied with their spiritual condition they can still be lost.
Other people believe dreams and visions are true standards. But one cannot depend on dreams, visions, or "still small voices" to give God's answers to religious questions (Galatians 1:6-9).
Still others depend on their own conscience to be the standard. But the Bible makes it clear that one can live "in all good conscience” (Acts 23:1), and yet be "the chief of sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15) while so living. Conscience does not tell us what the truth is. We must learn the truth from God's word (John 17:17).
And still others believe "good old common sense" is the right and true standard. But, "the way of man is not in himself, it is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).
The writer of Proverbs makes it clear that we cannot lean on our own understanding, but must trust in the Lord with all our heart (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The Bible Is The Only Standard for being right religiously! And being right religiously draws people into the unity for which Jesus prayed (John 17:20-23). Jesus said concerning this standard:
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
“31 If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you” (John 15:3).
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
“The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11).
Our Lord knew the importance of the one divine standard, the word of God (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Other inspired men have written concerning the standard of divine truth:
“11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. . . 130 The entrance of thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. . . 160 Thy word is true from the beginning. . . . 161 my heart standeth in awe of thy word” (Psalm 119:11, 130, 160, 161).
“O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord” (Jeremiah 22:29).
“Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29).
“But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1 Peter 1:25).
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12).
“The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).
God says that His standard is the only thing that brings eternal life (John 6:68); freedom (John 8:32); and a knowledge of true salvation – “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him” (Hebrews 2:1-3).
The wise man encouraged, "Buy the truth, and sell it not" (Proverbs 23:23), and Jesus said, "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth" (John 17:17).
The conditions with which sinners must comply in order to be saved are the conditions which the Bible (God's standard) sets forth. Paul wrote to Timothy concerning the standard:
“16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Jesus said, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48).
No one can be saved if he does not comply with the conditions set forth within the New Testament. Paul told the Thessalonians that the Lord would come in flaming fire and take vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
Those who practice what is not authorized by God's standard sin in so doing (Leviticus 10:1-2; 2 John 9-11).The word of God (the 66 books of the Bible) is the standard concerning all matters religiously and that includes the unity for which Jesus prayed. All unity not based on God's standard is not acceptable to the captain of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10). To be continued in Part 2…
THE STANDARD FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY (Part 2 of 2)
Christ Condemns Division
God’s children cannot accept unity at any price. One of the matters of great importance in the doctrine of Christ concerns unity and the sin of religious division. The Bible says that unity is good and pleasant (Psalm 133:1), but not unity based on compromise or the doctrines and commandments of men.
Christ (nor the scriptures) nowhere endorses the popular philosophy of "unity at any price." Indeed, Christ condemns religious division but He equally condemns a false or compromising unity. The only justification for causing division in the church is when it is necessary to save the church from those who trouble it with perverted doctrines (Galatians 1:6-9). The evil doers and their influence must be purged out from among us (1 Corinthians 5:5-7).
Division in the church over anything other than sin and that which causes sin is not approved by our Lord. Our attitude toward sin must be the attitude which the Lord Himself has. Compromising brethren who tolerate every evil and vile compromise know nothing of the true spirit of Christ in respect to hatred of sin and compromise. Christ hates and condemns all division in religion along with the attitudes, actions and doctrines which cause such.
Prayer And The Cross Of Christ.
Again, let us look at our Lord’s Prayer in John 17. Christ prayed for unity and oneness in this great prayer. It is clear that division lies beyond the will and wishes of the Lord. Christ prayed for oneness among His followers like that which exists in the Godhead itself. There is no division among those in the Godhead (John 10:30; Colossians 2:9) nor should there be among those under the Divine ordinance (Ephesians 4:3-6). All religious division flies in the face of the dying request of Jesus.
Not only did our Lord pray for unity but he also paid the price for unity. Paul said, "And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby" (Ephesians 2:16). The Lord died on the cross so that Jew and Gentile (All Nations) no longer would be apart but be reconciled to God and each other. All religious division flies in the face of the cross of Christ who paid the price for reconciliation.
Causes Of Division Condemned
Christ condemns division in His church because He condemns those things that cause division in the church, e.g., false doctrine, ignorance, love of men, etc. Christians today must be aware of those things which cause division among God’s people. One of the first things Christ taught His disciples was to "beware of false teachers" and their hypocritical doctrines (Matthew 7:15; Luke 12:1).
The Shepherd and Bishop of the souls of His saints (1 Peter 2:25) condemns division in His flock. The good shepherd would not allow the sheep under His care to divide up and be scattered. Such would obviously leave them vulnerable to wild beasts and every kind of danger. They must be one flock with no schism to be safe. So it is in the Lord's spiritual flock.
The apostle who said, "Let this mind be you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5), and “. . . we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16) also said: “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” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
The statement, "by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" means by His authority. Such a demand is by our Lord Jesus Christ's authority and reflects His mind. It will also be by our mind as we are "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." Christ condemns the evil of division in His church.
Unity Of The Scriptures
Ephesians 4:1-6 is another very clear and positive passage on unity in Christ: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
Here we find the Spirit's plan for unity. These seven pillars of unity are the undergirding of the super-structure of the "oneness" of the Christian faith. This is not saying that unity is based only on these items listed in this text, for Paul elsewhere spoke of united mind and judgment, among other things.
Let us notice the seven ones in this text:
"One body" - Unity of organization
"One Spirit" - Unity of guidance
"One hope" - Unity of aspiration
"One Lord" - Unity of authority
"One faith" - Unity of message
"One baptism" - Unity of practice
"One God" - Unity of worship
The unity which the spirit enjoins upon Christians can only be accomplished by men doing as Peter instructs: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). If this plan (and all of God's instructions) were accepted and followed by all professing believers today, there would be no division, no rivaling groups or religious parties, no strife and factions.
Is Christian Unity Possible?
Does God want all to be saved? With all the religious division in the world today, many are prone to ask, "Do you really think unity will ever come about? Is it possible?" Indeed, a difficult question to answer. It is much the same as the question, "Does God desire that all men be saved? Of course, we would certainly answer, "Yes."
Paul said, "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). Peter replied, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
And yet, because we believe the Bible, we know that not all men will be saved. Jesus answered: “13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
It is God's will that all be saved, but the majority are not going to heed His call. But shall we quit seeking to lead men to a saving knowledge of the truth? Certainly not! Therefore, we must continue to labor fervently, patiently, and prayerfully for the fulfillment of Christ's prayer that "all may be one in him."
The Word of Christ Unites.
If we would have true Christian unity today, we must lay aside all humanly erected barriers and return to the "one faith" of the New Testament (cf. Romans 10:17). The word of Christ unites, but the creeds, doctrines, and traditions of men divide. The only real hope of unity of faith in the Christian religion is that we, as a people, speak the same thing on matters of faith.
Early Christians united. The early Christians, who were faithful to Christ and His word, were one. They heard, believed and obeyed the same gospel; looked to Christ as their only Head; put their faith in Christ; and followed the doctrine revealed by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles and New Testament writers. You and I could enjoy the same unity today if we really wanted it; if we were willing to pay the price.
Scriptural Unity Meetings
With a rash of so-called "Unity Meetings" taking place today, it would be wise for us to search the Scriptures to see what God has to say on the subject. What are some specific types of unity meetings which are scriptural?
First – Brother to brother. Matthew enjoins upon us a type of unity meeting wherein one tries to bring together two brethren who have fallen out with one another (Matthew 18:15-17; 5:23-24). When one brother has fault with another they must meet and attempt to work out such differences. The aim should always be to do what is right and be united in God's word.
Second – Church to erring brother. Paul instructs those who are spiritual to restore an erring brother who has fallen by the wayside (Galatians 6:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15). Every spiritual means must be used to restore such a one to his God and God's people.
Third – Matters of judgment. Divisions may have taken place which were not required by the Scriptures, and brethren can meet and discuss such matters. Romans chapter 14 shows that there are differences which do not demand that we withdraw fellowship (differences, not doctrinal matters). In these things we forbear with one another.
Concerning rights and privileges wherein Christ has left us free, we are not free to exercise these rights without regard to love or the convictions of others, and without concern for the welfare of the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:12-23). It is right for brethren to come together and discuss such matters.
Fourth – Essential matters. It is right to engage in discussions and debates wherein we uphold what we believe to be scriptural and essential to unity in Christ. We should be willing to have our convictions examined in light of the Bible. It does not mean that we try to come to unity with those who would subvert the gospel, for to such we must not give way. We must be willing to measure all things by the gospel and be willing to meet with people with the aim to speak the truth in love Ephesians 4:15) and be willing to be corrected by the word of God wherein we need correction. However, we should never discuss with others whether we should cease contending for the faith. We must always "contend earnestly for the faith" (Jude 3).
CONCLUSION
Paul demands that we give "diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). If all of us would truly give “diligence" to foster and promote this unity, upon God's word, what a power we could represent and present to a divided world! Such would forge a "bond of peace" that all the forces of hell could not dissolve.
In our desire for unity, we must keep in mind that unity is not the supreme good to which everything else must be subordinated. God, His truth, and love must be the supreme. Unity is not our standard, but God and His will must be the standard for all things including unity.
Let us pray for each other that we may walk worthy of our calling. Let us study the Scriptures and accept them as God's word. We stand little chance of leading our world to the truth if we are not even sure of what it is ourselves. Only when we apply ourselves to God's standard (the Bible) will we have any hope of being of the same mind, of the same judgment, and of "speaking the same thing."
The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. Through the free gift of God’s grace by Jesus’ blood (Ephesians 2:8; Revelation 1:5) and your obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 10:17; 16:26), salvation is offered. If you have Bible questions or wish to comment on this post, please do so. Lord willing, a Bible answer will be provided for every Bible question.
The churches of Christ are neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Jew (Romans 16:16; Matthew 16:18-19). We are the loving suffering ONE body of Christ (Ephesians 1:20-23; 4:4-6) – CHRISTIANS: “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:16; cf. Acts 11:26; 26:28).
We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35). Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA – 26 March 2026.