Can There Be Unity In Christ’s Body?

1 Corinthians 1:10 “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

Many years ago, after a rousing sermon on church unity, I’ll never forget the little girl who approached me after the service. She said, “Mister Pastor, why are there so many abominations?” I chuckled at her mispronunciation of “denomination,” but thought to myself, perhaps her term is the more appropriate one to describe the division that sometimes exists between so many churches.

In the body of Christ, the various denominations exist largely due to different opinions about certain doctrines, organizational government, the style of worship, or perhaps passed-down traditions. But what is not commonly understood, is that most Christian churches have far more in common than they have in disagreement with each other. Researchers indicate that the majority of protestant/evangelical congregations in the U.S. share at least 90% of the same beliefs. And more importantly, there is little disagreement over the most basic elements of Christianity — such as Jesus’ life and teachings, including His deity, death and resurrection.

The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the church at Corinth, made it clear that division and disharmony in the body of Christ was not acceptable. In fact, he expressed an expectation of the church that sounds nearly unbelievable in today’s standards: “that you all speak the same thing... that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and judgment.”

Is it really possible for the body of Christ to attain such high ideals of unity? In practical terms, would it be possible for the Christian community to come into such harmony that we all “speak the same thing?” Such a possibility exists, only if Christians and churches can focus on the common ground of what makes us all Christians and followers of Christ.

More than any other factor, the common bond upon which every Christian church is founded is “Jesus Christ.” He is the cornerstone upon which every believer bases his trust in eternal things. Above all other things, even above our interpretations and eloquent commentaries, “Jesus” needs to be the objective of preaching and teaching in the church. He is the object of our worship, the purpose of our service, the meaning of our very existence. And it’s at the foot of the cross, where every humble believer finds that same common, blood-soaked ground which brings us together in unity as brothers and sisters in the family of God. Jesus said it Himself, that His suffering on the cross was a magnet to the lost — and from that great event He will gather to himself a collected body of followers. “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32).

And so, unity between the churches is indeed possible “if” Jesus is fully committed to be our common denominator. Jesus must be the focal point — more than our variety of opinions and more than our celebrated traditions. We need to lift Him up above all things and speak the language that Jesus spoke — the language of God’s love.

Speak lovingly and kindly of those who attend other churches — they are your family too. Cease striving, or competing against Christians of other congregations. Love, forgive, trust and uplift one another in the vast reservoir of God love.

Genuine love for our other brothers and sisters brings an image of “credibility” to the church. Jesus said that the world would identify His followers by love for each other. He indicated that the Gospel message would influence the whole world, from the evidence of our love for our brethren. Perhaps this is what the world is waiting for — to see a body of Christians who sincerely care about each other, who are not embroiled in conflict or competition. Then perhaps they will more likely believe that we really do represent Jesus, and might be inclined to trust the Gospel message we preach. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

Both in the singular congregation and in the overall body of Christ, God’s blessing resides upon love and unity. The psalmist declared that unity is associated with His anointing — a symbolic application of oil, representing His Holy Spirit. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments” (Psa. 133:1-2).

If there was ever a time that the church needs God’s anointing, it is today. And if we hope to embrace that anointed blessing, let each of us strive to make our contribution to the unity of the body of Christ.

By Dr. Dale A. Robbins

Seeking Unity among Christians

There are some essential things Christians must believe to be Christians.

If a so-called Christian does not believe these primary things, Paul says their faith is in vain, or worthless. Paul goes on in 1 Cor 15:1-8 to tell us what these are.

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures"

Great problems occur when Christians do accept as believers others who deny the essentials. Problems also occur when Christians fail to accept in their church other believers due to disputable matters.

This is why Jesus himself prayed at the hour of his Passion, and does not cease praying to his Father, for the unity of his disciples: "That they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us, . . . so that the world may know that you have sent me."

A denomination is a group of churches united in some way. Even good denominations can have some bad tendencies though. They can cause pride and reinforce extra-biblical beliefs as scripture (1 Cor 4:6-7, Prov 30:5-6). It is an error to equate an organization with the one body of Christ (Eph 4:4).

Denominations can also divide, confuse, and perpetuate error. Some groups may call themselves denominations, but even ones that do not may be just as divisive.

Some Christians think that denominations are a good and useful means to work together for the Lord. Other Christians do not see a need for them. Regardless of what a believer thinks though, 1 Cor 10:17 and 12:12-31 show we are all members of one body, and we should work together.

Paul said in 1 Cor 1:10-12, "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? .Even a group that divided under the name of Christ was equally as bad as the other divisive Christians !!!!

We need to look at one another and decide that we will stand on the essential doctrines of the faith and that we will be united against the enemy.

Those of us who are united by the blood of Christ are not enemies with one another whether we be Catholic or Baptist or Protestant . It may be difficult for many of us to look lovingly into the eyes of those of a different denomination without thinking in our hearts that they are wrong about this doctrine or that doctrine. But, we need to be reminded that there is neither a Baptist nor a Catholic nor a Protestant on the throne of God !!

Lack of unity is a serious obstacle to the witness of evangelization. Division contradicts the truth of the Gospel, an essential element of which is the call to unity, so that non-believers who meet missionaries each preaching different versions of the Gospel will think it to be a source of division, despite its presentation as a way of love.

Rom 15:7 says, "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."

To summarize, we are to accept as fellow believers those God wants us to accept, and we are not to try to have unity apart from unity in the real Christ . The whole point is that we need to be united, not bickering. We need to move beyond the denominational barriers of what separates us into the common ground of what unites us: Jesus!